Now, just for perspective, let’s start with the obvious basics. Bass boats (by modern definition) have been around for better than 50 years. They have developed from basic, heavy, flat-bottom boats with a generic tiller motor to the aluminum or fiberglass (featherlight) water dragons we have today. Alternatively, Bass Raiders (and their like) have barely been around for 20 years. Pelican is arguably the ringleader for the Bass Boat alternative movement with the Bass Raider 10E, 10E NXT, & 8.
Full Disclosure
AJ and I each own a Pelican Bass Raider 10E, but neither of us has ever been sponsored or endorsed by Pelican This was a purchase we each made to expand our outdoors adventures after a vast array of research.
Why the debate?
- Are you an avid angler or just starting to get into the world of fishing adventures?
- Do you own a kayak, a personal watercraft, or a boat?
- Have you joined any of the social media groups that focus on these activities and hobbies?
In today’s atmosphere, it seems to be impossible to go to any waterway or visit any fishing community online without quickly coming across vocal debaters.
Why spend all that money on a boat?
Why buy something so small?
If you’re going to make all those mods, just buy a full boat.
If you can afford all those mods, you can afford a real boat.
So, let’s dive into the details that not everyone may know.
There are definite advantages to buying a Bass Boat:
Options: after 50 years of development and growth, have created options for virtually everything a hardcore angler may want: Seating, storage, electronics, motors, colors, materials…
The size allows for a whole family to go out on a single boat. Everyone has a spot to stand, Everyone has the option to sit when they want a break. Even the dog can join in on the family adventure.
Engine options allow for a faster trip with more water coverage abilities than just about anything else on today’s waterways.
Layout options afford a vast expanse for storage (rods, lures, snacks, water toys…you name it, there’s probably room).
The structural stability allows them to accept larger, heavier, more powerful motors which help race competitors when you’re in those local bass tournaments, get to those more distant locations that the smaller boats just can’t get to, and allows for non-fishing recreation as well (waterskiing, inter-tubes, etc).
The prewired setup affords opportunities for just about any electronics you may want (go-pros, live wells, phone chargers, sound systems, trolling motors, livescan) usually with a simple “plug-and-play” format.
The structure of a bass boat allows for a more stable ride that can handle rougher waters and more inclement weather. Now this doesn’t mean it can withstand all weather dangers, but its stability allows use under less forgiving weather than smaller vessels can handle.
The general consensus is that anything over 30mph is guaranteed to be too dangerous to be out in a bass boat, but slower winds can be okay depending on the conditions of the specific waterway the boat is in.
There are conveniences built into bass boats that automatically make fishing life so much easier. Built-in live wells. Driving consoles. Locking storage compartments. Rod holders. Navigation lights. Drain Plug. Carpeted flooring. Bilge pumps.
Probably best of all, a bass boat comes ready to fish, ready to compete, and ready to use. When you purchase a new bass boat, the dealership will help with registration, motor and electronics setups, and even install any add-ons you opt to purchase. Many used boats will come with a lot of the same conveniences. The exception to this can be when you purchase a used bass boat from an individual (which comes with an entire array of precautions we’d have to spend a whole other article discussing). All I will say for now is to make sure you know your local laws and ensure you know what you are buying.
Alternately, a Personal Watercraft like the Bass Raider (or Pond Prowler) can offer a very different set of advantages:
Probably top on everyone’s list would be the price. A Bass Raider starts as low as $800 (or lower if you find the right sale).
Hidden fees and additional costs are less common with no mandatory insurance policies, usually no mandatory registration fees, and no required trailer.
Speaking of trailers: A Bass Raider fit’s easily on top of a car or in the bed of a truck. You can easily offload and take to the water as a 2-man team or by getting a cheap set of wheels. AJ and I have loaded both of our Bass Raiders in my truck for all-day trips many times.
Along the same lines is the overall weight of a Bass Raider. While a bass boat is well over 1,500 lbs, a Bass Raider is less than 150 lbs. Using simple leverage, at this weight, allows even individuals such as AJ and myself (limited by mobility issues) to move a Bass Raider by ourselves. As mentioned in advantage #3, a set of wheels can provide a simple pivot point that will allow you to move the boat around, easily, from storage to your vehicle or from the parking lot to the waterway.
One of my favorite advantages to the Bass Raider is the low water level clearance necessary for those shallow creeks. I especially enjoy navigating through shallow, unwelcoming, creeks in search of deep pockets the larger boats can’t reach. I have navigated through 3” waterways with a long paddle to find hidden pools with 12 and 14” bass as well as catfish and abundant baitfish. The lower pressure is always an advantage to look for when fishing.
Bass Raiders are made of a highly durable polyurethane called Ram-X which holds up to rocks, logs, and concrete ramps a bit better than the fiberglass commonly found on Bass boats. Arguably, aluminum bass boats are potentially more durable than the polyurethane Bass Raiders. The catch is, just about anyone can safely patch damaged plastic but aluminum welding requires significant experience to make safe and secure repairs.
While a Bass boat requires monthly and annual maintenance, a Bass Raider requires negligible amounts of maintenance. Depending on where you live and how you choose to power your Bass Raider you may not even need to register it. Cleaning your boat after each adventure is necessary to protect your local waterways from contamination and to protect your boat from premature decay. This can easily be handled with simple dish soap and a rag. Your trolling motor battery will require charging (if you use a trolling motor). That’s about all there is to it.
AJ and I have had our Bass Raiders going on 5 years or so now, have stored them outside year round, and are only now needing to work on replacing the inner foam and electrical wiring.
Storage is a breeze. With no trailer, no insurance mandates, and an exceptionally small footprint, the Bass Raider can be stored virtually anywhere. A garage or climate-controlled environment is best, but not absolutely mandatory. I, for one, have been storing my Bass Raider in my backyard for the 5 years I’ve owned it with no major issues. Granted, the more cautious you are with storage, the longer it will hold up; but Pelican was not kidding when they said they made a highly durable and cost-effective alternative to a standard Bass Boat.
A major advantage to the Bass Raider is “no motor” lake access. Many waterways are going to a no-motor or limited-motor policy that almost completely bans traditional bass boats. The Bass Raider can be equipped with a trolling motor that bypasses most of these restrictions or can be used with human-powered oars. You still get the convenience of the extra storage, the large standing platform, the incredible stability, and the bass boat style comforts while qualifying as a personal, non-powered, watercraft.
Best of all, in my book, is the customizability of the Bass Raider. Storage lockers can be built, Rod holders can be added where you want and how you want, and standing platforms can be set up in a variety of ways. They can be easily painted or vinyl wrapped. Wiring is rather easy to allow for a wide variety of electronics. There, literally, is no limitation to your creativity with personalizing the Pelican Bass Raider.
So which one is better? Bass Boat or Bass Raider?
That all depends on you. What are your needs? What are your intentions? Do you have restrictions?
Do you have financial restrictions?
A Bass Boat starts at $20,000 just to purchase. If you’re taking out a loan for this that will typically start at $400+ a month. Add to this registration, taxes, a trailer, accessories (radio, ropes, safety gear…), storage slip fees, ramp fees if you’re storing at home, and insurance. Then there’s maintenance and upkeep. According to Outdoor Troop, you can expect to spend nearly $400 a month just for your continued maintenance.
Once everything is tallied, you’re looking at roughly $1,000+ a month to own a Bass Boat.
Do you have a group of people you want to take out on the water?
The Bass Raider can save you tremendous money, but you’re giving up a remarkable amount of space. The Bass Raider 10E is rated for 600 pounds and has a max of 2 occupants. This includes your trolling motor, battery, fishing gear, seats, safety gear, and whoever is going to be in the boat.
The average weight for a lower-end trolling motor will be about 45 pounds.
The seats weigh 10 pounds a piece before upgrading to a cushion you can be comfortable in all day.
A marine battery will weigh about 60 pounds.
Are you taking a Paddle (hint: batteries die, you’ll want to be able to get back to shore, and USCG regs require one to be onboard)?
Are you wearing a life vest (word to the wise, even if your waterway doesn’t require you to have it on, the laws will require you to have one onboard).
Even a rope to tie off to the dock will add weight.
Are you taking a tackle box?
Every lure, swivel, hook, etc. adds weight to your boat.
A common mistake from new boaters is failing to take into consideration every piece of material being added to your boat that will count towards your maximum weight capacity. There’s a variety of precautions new boaters and kayakers don’t tend to think about before beginning their water adventures. After years of being on the water, they will feel like common sense, but when you’re new they won’t be at the forefront of your mind.
When all is said and done, you can easily be restricted to 400 pounds or less available for yourself and a companion. The average American, today, weighs 180 pounds. Are you average or above average? Many anglers that fish on the Bass Raider are at or beyond the weight capacity without a passenger…
Face it, we’d rather bring the kitchen sink with us than forget that one lure that might catch our new PB!
Now, this doesn’t mean I’m suggesting you pass on the Bass Raider and buy a Bass Boat. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you one is better than the other. All I can do is tell you the pros and cons of each so you can be better informed when you decide for yourself. If you want to take several people with you, you’re probably going to want a Bass Boat. If you prefer to fish alone or are okay with fishing in company of one companion, the Bass Raider would probably be perfectly sufficient.
As a reminder, AJ and I each have a Bass Raider. We go on fishing trips together very frequently. Two Bass Raiders fit in the bed of my pickup truck very easily. Many others have developed solutions to mounting their Bass Raiders on roof racks.
Ultimately, you need to decide what fits your life and your needs best.
If you want all the bells and whistles done for you, a dance floor your entire family can fish from while playing all day long, and you’re not restricted to strict financial concerts you may be best off choosing a bass boat. If you like the DIY style of outdoors adventures, you like customized and one of a kind setups that no one else has, or you’re on a strict budget that will require small upgrades here and there, you’d be remiss to discredit the advantages of the Bass Raider or similar personal watercraft.
What are you going to choose?
How are you going to make it yours?
There’s ample room for discussion on our Facebook group “The Outdoors Quest Group.” Join today and join in the conversation.