I know this thread is reserved for the bass raider line, but seeing how this is also made by Pelican, I wanted to get some opinions on their Intruder model...  

 

http://www.pelicansport.com/en/products/fishing-boats/intruder-12

 

EDIT: I have also confirmed that I can get it brand new for $499.00

My opinion is that a pond boat with molded seats would be more comfortable to fish out of all day than that boat would be.

 

There isn't any doubt that that boat is fishable.   I presume that it has oar locks, so that is two different power sources when paired with an electric trolling motor.  That is good.   Me, if I could I would spend a few more dollars and get a pond boat with seats, that would be more comfortable.   Get a long canoe paddle as a secondary power source and pray you never had to use it.   If I was in that boat, I can see myself setting down, fishing, twist a little bit to make a cast and all of a sudden back issues arise, and that is why I'm not fond of that boat.    My two cents . . . . 

I've owned both Raider and an intruder.  neither one gave me what I wanted.. .which was a stable platform to stand up in.

 

I finally decided to make my own personal pontoon:

Pontoons are filled with empty 2 liter pop bottles and polystyrene scrap.   I've made several like this, they all work perfect for stand up casting and tight maneuvers.  super light weight so I can easily load into my pickup myself.    Super stable because the pontoons let water in and become like ballast... impossible to tip over.   When I pull it up on land the water runs right out...

My opinion is that a pond boat with molded seats would be more comfortable to fish out of all day than that boat would be.

 

There isn't any doubt that that boat is fishable.   I presume that it has oar locks, so that is two different power sources when paired with an electric trolling motor.  That is good.   Me, if I could I would spend a few more dollars and get a pond boat with seats, that would be more comfortable.   Get a long canoe paddle as a secondary power source and pray you never had to use it.   If I was in that boat, I can see myself setting down, fishing, twist a little bit to make a cast and all of a sudden back issues arise, and that is why I'm not fond of that boat.    My two cents . . . . 

I would add my own seat, though that isn't a big issue with me.  The intruder caught my eye by being a bit longer than the raider, which means more room for gear.  I would be mounting a trolling motor and depth finder.  I have a couple of ideas already on where the depth finder will mount.

Then I'd go for the intruder hands down.. It just feels like a lot more boat...a lot less like a bathtub....  Lots more internal room compared to raider..... heavy though... you will need a trailer...

I would need a trailer either way I go, once I start adding electronics and batteries... You peaked my curiosity when you brought up weight, so I did some comparing on the different models....

 

Intruder 12: 126lbs

Raider 10:   145 lbs

raider 8:       91 lbs

Yup... anything over 100 lbs is hernia country for me.   I had a wheeled gismo I made to load it up in the back of a pickup.. but very hard work... especially on a steep boat ramp...   the raider 8 was doable but not the intruder... that's why I like the one I made... 45 lbs....

If your going for the intruder and keeping it trailered make sure rain water can get from the front to the back. The ones I've seen dont have a way for water to go under the seats, makeing it hard to drain if need be.

Bill Porter said cut the plywood 21 1/8" wide but that is way too wide on mine even without carpet on it yet. It's sitting on the curve that the side walls make in the transition to the floor.... My measurement of the actual flat part of the floor is about 20". Any input on this? What width are y'all cutting?

Has anyone fished out of these things at night? And if so what lights did you get for it and what exactly do you need to be "legal" to boat at night?

Bought my lights in boat section at academy. The led version clamp on ones.

Has anyone fished out of these things at night? And if so what lights did you get for it and what exactly do you need to be "legal" to boat at night?

I have several times, BO. But my trips were in familiar waters and I tied up to some snags and dropped a homemade "green" LED light for crappie. As for the legal lighting, I picked up the LED clamp-ons at Academy (Atwood brand, I think). They worked well. I modified the white light on the stern to get a little height. Remember the stern/white light is required to remain on at all times in most jurisdictions. As for the bow red/green light, I opted to mount mine to the top of the bow-mounted trolling motor head cover.

 

Here's a link to the Atwood lights on the Atwood site...they are sold by several places...I think Wally World sells them too but I watched for a sale at Academy and got mine a little more reasonable.

http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/product/portable-led-navigation-light-kit

 

Here's a shot of my drop light I made. I got some clips from McMaster and mounted to the outside of the boat. Just unsnap and drop so not a lot of moving around in the boat at night.

 

Nice drop light. I've been wanting to try this. How are the results ?

Yeah they're attwood at academy.

Bozz, what did you use for the clear tube part of the light?

Thanks for the info bozz and point. I picked up the lights from Walmart for just under $30. Did site to store and they were ready in 2 hours.

Good deal! Glad to help.

Ive done it! all 99 pages! I just recently bought a 10ft Pond Prowler off a swap site. Paid $500, boat is just over a year old and came with a trailer, 55# thrust trolling motor, 2 seats, 10# mushroom anchor, 1 collapsible paddle, extra propeller, storage box, boat light, extra boat plugs, transducer (waiting for the guy to find the fish/depth finder).  And also my son was very excited about the baby worm we found in the storage box! cant wait to do some modifications to it. I tried to look up info on here for Pond Prowlers but didn't find much. 

Great deal

Ive done it! all 99 pages! I just recently bought a 10ft Pond Prowler off a swap site. Paid $500, boat is just over a year old and came with a trailer, 55# thrust trolling motor, 2 seats, 10# mushroom anchor, 1 collapsible paddle, extra propeller, storage box, boat light, extra boat plugs, transducer (waiting for the guy to find the fish/depth finder).  And also my son was very excited about the baby worm we found in the storage box! cant wait to do some modifications to it. I tried to look up info on here for Pond Prowlers but didn't find much. 

 

Congrats on the boat.  I have the 10 ft. Pond Prowler as well & have found all of the info & modifications written about the Bass Raider easily convert to the Pond Prowler.

Yeah they're basically the same.

Ya, I've fished with my uncle this year out of his 10ft bass raider. Lots of fun wih all the ideas.

Nice drop light. I've been wanting to try this. How are the results ?

I've used white lights for years but the green LEDs...wow. At one point, I thought there was TOO MANY baitfish under my boat.

Bozz, what did you use for the clear tube part of the light?

Point, I used clear 1 1/2" schedule 40 PVC pipe. Inside that I had I think 3/4" white PVC wrapped in a spiral with a string of SMD 5050 green LEDs from SuperNight on Amazon. Watch who you are buying from or you'll have to wait for them from China or ??? Mine came in 2 days from here in Lexington, KY...I think the Amazon distribution center had them on hand here in the area is why I got mine so quick. I used some "submersible cable grips" from McMaster.com and I had about 20 feet of waterproof cable to use. Other than that...white schedule 40 end caps and I added about a 12" section on the bottom of the tube to fill with sand for ballast. I was guessing about how much weight it would take to make it almost neutral buoyancy and I nailed it first time. It will sink to as far as I want it to go (up to 20') and it's lightweight like that to handle. I had guys wanting to buy some at the ramp one night when I hooked up the battery clips. They had those you get from Walmart or ???...about a foor or so and about 1/2" diameter. This is a hefty piece of illumination I made.

 

I have had it down to 20 feet and it never leaked a drop. At first there was a small drop or two of condensation but no problems. The LED's are waterproof by spec but they are not meant to be kept in water.

I've used white lights for years but the green LEDs...wow. At one point, I thought there was TOO MANY baitfish under my boat.

I've made my own too... but only 3 feet long ... that thing is a monster... I haven't had the chance to test it, but it sounds like the cats whiskers for night fishing crappies... will give it a go this weekend.