Was wondering if anyone has fished in either one of these weekend series as a boater or non-boater and if so how was your experience.

I fished the Bass weekend events before I had my own boat.  (in fact my avatar is me at a BASS weekend event on the Potomac as a non-boater.) I had a great experience. It wasn't always pleasant but it was always  an "experience", ha

Just kidding (sort of). All the boaters I had were O.K. Some had more skills than others but you usually learn something from all of them. Sometimes what to do, other times what not to do. It helped me a lot though with fishing skills and boating skills!

I will tell you that it is best to hook up with a boater and register together so you are guaranteed entry at the event. I missed out on the post season one year because I didn't have a guaranteed entry for the last event and I was in the top 20. Not all the boaters that registered showed up at the pre tournament meeting so I couldn't fish, which ruined my season standing and my hopes of moving on to the regional.

Good luck