jaaron01

Was thinking more of getting the umbrella from Walmart, and using some PVC to make a holder to bolt/clamp to the seat or seat bracket. Was hoping someone might already had this idea, or something similiar, and save myself some brain cells.

No quite sure that was what I was talking about Might have a tough time convincing my fishing partner into wearing that. Although it would work........

Okay so got a 2 man bass boat last week, which I love. However I'm wanting to rig up some kind of umbrella to keep the sun off me and the 6 year old. If I can keep the 6 year old cool, means I can stay longer, and everyone is happy. I know everyone has made modifications to there little plastic boats, but can't seem to find anything like this. Curious if anyone has rigged up something that works. Still got the original bucket seats that came with the boat. I've got ideas, Walmart has a 64' Taylormade Umbrella for like $23.86 online, which is way cheaper than Cabela's, Dicks, or Bass Pro. http://www.walmart.com/ip/TaylorMade-Umbrella/10783437?adid=1500000000000027727770

Has anyone used a drift sock with one of these? Curious as to what size they used and did it actually work worth anything? I know they say put a piece of a pool noodle on the top opening of the drift sock just to keep it close to the top and not snag on anything. Plus you can tell it's open and working i guess.

Would like to see a picture of that if possible. Did it sit the seat up higher?

Same here, going to start looking for some padded / light weight seats. I know there out there, Cabela'a or Bass Pro one has them but they were like 39.00 bucks. A little more than I wanted to pay. Also need to get and anchor or drift sock for those windy days. J

B-ASSman - Lets see a photo of your boat.

Gotta find a couple of rod holders, and a few Drink holders for the boat. Had 2 large boats pass by me, producing fairly big wakes, and while I did do some rock'n an roll'n, no water came in the boat. First two days out me and the 6 year old caught bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. Decided today to go it alone, only caught a few bluegill. Shouldv'e taken the 6 year old leprichan with me for good luck.

Yeah I wound up buying a new one from Dicks for $499.00 plus 15% off, due to a small gouge in the very top of the boat. Used the 75.00 for a battery. Awesome.

Took the boat out this morning for a trial run, and I Love it. No more fishing on the bank. Took the 6 year old, and while it was close quarters it diffinately wasn't uncomfortalbe with both of us. Did see a couple things I need to add, like a small plastic coffee can mounted to the front of the boat for the mooring ropes to be placed in. Also could use a couple of rod holders, but the boat was plenty stable. Wind picked up about 10 mph, and while it did move us around, the trolling motor was able to hold us good. Rudder is a god send as well. This little boat seems to have deeper side pockets molded in, as well as a larger front deck, as I put my thermos of coffee and coffee mug up on it, and nothing ever moved, even in Choppy water. Trolled for about 2 hours, and only time I got to level "5" with the trolling motor was when we quickly headed across the lake to get out of the wind and into some shade. At 34lbs thrust it moved us along quickly. Battery only dropped to 12.8, after 2 hours of trolling the banks. I got the Everstart Maxx 29, which I placed in the rear to balance us out. I'm impressed with this little guy. 6 year old did catch a 3 lb channel cat, among other fish, on a bober and worm, and it pulled the boat some, but oh well. LOVE IT!!!

Got my boat and ready to roll. Still got some accessories to acquire but I've got the main stuff ready. Got the title and registration today, but the lady didn't give me my sticker. She only gave me the numbers. So back to the clerks office tuesday for that. I'll keep the registration with me tommorrow for the maiden fishing trip with hopes that will save me.

Unfortunately don't have an Academy Sports anywhere close by. However went to Dicks this morning and got the Coleman Boat. Best part was there's a small gouge, 1/4 inch, in the top back corner. Not even big enough to even bother patching, but who wants to buy a boat with a hole in it, right? That 1/4 inch gouge on top was worth 15% off, equated out to $75.00, just the price of an Everstart Max 29 at Walmart. So over to the County Clerks office, and she's registered and ready to go. On the front were the trolling motor goes, I did add a piece of wood to give more for the motor to bite into, and not be so squishy. Wife even pitched in and got a small carpet runner at walmart. Got the dolly built and strapped on, and with everything in it, I can pick up the front and roller on down the road. Also I'm able to lift up the rear end and slide her into the van without any problems. Tommorrow morning will be the trial run with the youngen. I'm still waiting for the wife to get over the $500.00 shock of the boat and battery, before I do any accessorizing, but I've got big plans. As you can see my fishing partner approves.

No go on the craigs list boat. Lowest he'd go was $500.00 for everything, which included a suspect battery and 36 lbs trolling motor. I'd rather buy the new one and have a warrenty on both the battery and the boat for $600, then $500.00 and your on your own. Dicks Sporting goods here I come.

Last night I found a 2006 Pelican Bass Hunter 9ft on craigslist for $650.00. Includes a 36lb trolling motor,and battery. However I don't need a trolling motor as I've got a new MK Endura 34lb thrust, and I'm always leary of used batteries. guy says it was used only about 3 times, and is nearly brand new. However the photo he had on craigslist showed it leaned up against a building outdoors, so don't know if he drug it out for a photo, or if it's been stored outside which would be bad. My understanding is these things don't do to well being unprotected outdoors in the sun and the plastic starts to crack. It's apparently been listed for a while on CG, so I shot him a price of $300.00 with out the TM or Battery. Hopefully I didn't offend him, but directboats.com has this same boat (brandnew) for $539.00. I was thinking $300 if it was in as good a shape as he say's, and not stored out in the weather and $350 is the Battery is a good Deepcycle Battery (i'll take my tester with me). If not off to Dicks I go in the a.m. I'll let you know if he bites.......

Thanks for the input. I thought it looked good, but just wanted to get a second opinion from out there as I couldn't find very much in the way of reviews.

I seen the Crawdad as well, but being a 1 man operation, was leary of the weight, and transporting it in the van. Also without the seats, it would be one more thing I'd have to purchase, I do like the seats in the Coleman.

Okay, So I really want one of these 8 ft Bass boats, but being in Nebraska, everystore wants and arm & leg for one of these. Anywhere from $550 to $769.00. I've torn Craigslist apart and found nothing that is worth what they want for them. Got a rather limited budget (according to my wife) on what I can spend. I did see a Coleman Perch Pontoon boat-8ft at Dicks Sporting goods for 499.00, and it almost looks exactly like the Pelican Bass Raider. It's wired for a trolling motor as well. However I've not been able to find any reviews on this particular little boat, which makes me kinda nervous. I own a van with no trailer hitch, which is why this boat apeals to me, as it's 48' wide and 8.5 ft long. I can slide it in the back of the van and head for the electric only lakes we have here in Omaha. Only me and the 6 year old in it, and I'm a small dude anyway, so not worried about my weight being a factor, or room for that matter. If anyone has any insight into this boat I would appreciate the info.

One more question. Where's the best place (Cheapest) to get a 12 Volt 50 Amp Circuit breaker for the trolling motor?

Anyone want to offer an opinion between two different batteries. I"m looking at the EverStart brand at Wal-mart, either the 27DC-6 or the Maxx 29 Duel Purpose Marine Battery. One is $70.00 the other is $75.00.

Got a piece of scrap sign material from the guys on base, and found and old trolling motor for $20.00. After a little surgery here's what I can up with. She'll tilt out of the water when needed and the shaft is easily removed.

Found and old trolling motor with a metal shaft and bracket for $20.00. I'll be hauling mine in the back of a Mini-Van till the wife gives in and I can get a new truck. I"m thinking if I engineer this correctly, I can leave the mount installed, and just slip the shaft / rudder in and out between loading and unloading. How big of a rudder do you have? 12 x 12, 8 x12? We've got a sign shop here on the AF base, and I'm thinking I might hit them up for a piece of scrap. Once I get her built I'll post a photo.

Being the true redneck that I am, I was thinking of getting an old trolling motor off Craigslist, for a couple of bucks, and just cutting the motor off, and having a piece of sheet metal bolted onto the shaft. That way it would clamp and be removeable all in one. Sound reasonable?? All you really need is the holder and the shaft.....

Got the Endura C2 34lb Thrust Motor, on sale for 109.00, plus my wife produced a $25.00 gift card I'd forgotten about from several years ago. Motor also came with a Battery Voltage checker, all told for $92.58 with tax.

Looking at getting a trolling motor for the 8ft Coleman Perch Pontoon, looks just like a pelican 8ft. Cabela's has the Min Kota Endura c2 Trolling motor (34lb thrust ) for 109.00, or they have the M Kota T34 Thruster Trolling Motor for $89.99. Anyone have an opinion on these?

Wanting to get one of these little bass boats, but haven't been able to find anything here in Nebraska for less that an arm & leg. Did finally find a "Coleman Perch Pontoon Boat 8ft " at Dicks Sporting Goods for $499.00. Been through CG looking as well, but everything seems beat up pretty bad. Anyone heard of this brand? Seems almost like all the others like "Buster Boats, Pelican, Bass Buggy, etc.etc. just about $200.00 less. Anyway enjoy looking at everyones modifications, and looking forward to posting some of my own.