Small plastic boats?

[CP]

Anyone have any experience with these, good or bad?  Pond Prowler, Pelican, Sun Dolphin or something similar?

I’ve been toying with the idea of getting one of these for use on smaller lakes that don’t allow outboards.  Just an idea, not sure if it’s a good one.

[DaNewb]

I don't have any experience with the plastic boats but I am familiar from my own research. Everyone I've seen talking about the pond prowler has been happy with it. The sun dolphin is similar in design. I imagine the pelican isn't much different in size/shape...so it all comes down to features I guess.

last year I was asking the same questions though...I wanted something really easy to deal with, SAFE, small enough to handle solo and fit into the back of a truck, but could take an electric motor...and was not a kayak.

I ended up going a different route and picked up an 8' Livingston for $100...it only weights 100lbs and they're readily available dirt cheap and they're much more stable IMO. I spent the $$'s to get it registered so I can put a gas motor on it if I want, but you don't need to register if you're only taking it on lakes with no gas motor larger than 10hp.

I picked up a harbor freight 8' trailer used and completely rewired it and replaced the bearings and added a hitch jack and spare tire/mount, kitted the boat out with a 50ah batt box, dual scotty pole holders, fish finder, oars, transom wheels and an anchor system. I need to figure out a decent chair setup for it but so far I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.

I think I've got something like $1500 into it all told, including licensing for boat and trailer and it's ready to travel. I've got Kokanee dreams.

I grew up rowing a 12' boat around the river by the house so it's what works for me.

[CP]

I don't have any experience with the plastic boats but I am familiar from my own research. Everyone I've seen talking about the pond prowler has been happy with it. The sun dolphin is similar in design. I imagine the pelican isn't much different in size/shape...so it all comes down to features I guess.

last year I was asking the same questions though...I wanted something really easy to deal with, SAFE, small enough to handle solo and fit into the back of a truck, but could take an electric motor...and was not a kayak.

I ended up going a different route and picked up an 8' Livingston for $100...it only weights 100lbs and they're readily available dirt cheap and they're much more stable IMO. I spent the $$'s to get it registered so I can put a gas motor on it if I want, but you don't need to register if you're only taking it on lakes with no gas motor larger than 10hp.

I picked up a harbor freight 8' trailer used and completely rewired it and replaced the bearings and added a hitch jack and spare tire/mount, kitted the boat out with a 50ah batt box, dual scotty pole holders, fish finder, oars, transom wheels and an anchor system. I need to figure out a decent chair setup for it but so far I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.

I think I've got something like $1500 into it all told, including licensing for boat and trailer and it's ready to travel. I've got Kokanee dreams.

I grew up rowing a 12' boat around the river by the house so it's what works for me.

Thanks for sharing that.  Livingston was first thought but a friend suggested that look into the Tupperware boats, new tech and all.  I may make a trip up to BassPro and see if they have any.  Meanwhile I'm keeping an eye out for a Livingston or maybe a small, reasonably priced Whaler if I get lucky.

[millerwheeler]

Have ya looked at any of the folding boats? Pretty neat concept