Plastic Coleman "bass boats"

[ketchmorebass]

i just graduated from high school and my dad asked me if i chad any idea what he ould get me for a graduation present, my first thought was a boat and i stumbled across these coleman "bass boats" online...http://www.coleman.com/coleman/Colem...yID=66003....I was interested in the bass classic 8 and 10...just wondering if anyone has herd anythin about these boats or ever used one, i'm havin a hard time trying to figure out if there any good...thanks

[Bassin_Dude]

they look like the basshunter boats... they dont have much space....and really you only want to use it in small ponds...also, it only take a 5hp. i would look into a jon boat..more space, can handle atleast a 10hp. but once again, these are only for small ponds...you can get away with going into lakes with a jon boat...but not one of those. so i would go with a jon boat.

[keeb]

but alot of big bass live in those small farm ponds.

[jglassguy]

Its a cheap way to get out on the water tho, all you need is a pickup truck to put it in, or even better yet keep it at someones pond if they will let you.
I have had a john boat at the pond for 25 years,
and other people come and go, I am not the only one that fishes it, but probably only a dozen people go there, and not that often, the biggest gripe I have
(denny can tell ya)
people walk off or loose my f/n anchors
I work in a steel manufacturing plant so getting any I-beams or anything I can to make another
only takes the time to cut n weld it, but it pisses me off
..I know that from time to time the rope rots and they loose the anchor that way, thats no biggie.
I also have had oars stolen or broken, usually line and old worms layin around..
If you get a trolling motor you'll have to lug that around too, get a charger too.
Like everyone said, they are cramped for room, Ya more or less sit the whole time, You can stand but all in all
its a good way to get started, sure beats finding a spot on the bank to throw OUT..instead of being in the boat and looking and throwing at the bank..
If I were you, I'd get one.
They crack easy , dont drop them or let the wind flip them, if that happens just go to any car parts place
and get a simple fibroglass mesh and hardner kit.

[Bassin_Dude]

but a jon boat you have more space, and can use it in a lake OR pond, and a river, with those you dont wanna take it to a lake. jon boats are also more sturdy, you can stand up in one...and really there isnt much price fluctuation between the two boats.... this is all just MO.

[Kevin_T]

I have a Plastic boat like this one http://www.fogdog.com/product/index....ductId=1072791
Its not the same but its really close, mine is a Pelican and cand handle a 7Hp motor, also has a livewell and a place to keep the battery. I get it in big lakes with no problems and it is just $699 in Academy.
(I have it with a 5Hp and a Trolling motor)
One more thing i like this better than a jon boat because this thing is much more stable

[jglassguy]

Any flat bottom boat will get ya in "skinnnier water"
[glow=red,2,300]{shallow}[/glow]

Also, we are comparing a plastic or fibroglass 2 seater to a aluminum john boat that prob can hold more tackle and even 3 people, but a little harder to lug around,
I used to have a 16 footer that I would put in the back of my 84 chevy beater, put the nose up on the cab and let the rest lay in the bed, tied down of course, I bet that boat was almost twice as heavy as the coleman.
I gave it to my brother in law in fla with a 15 horse, and it got stolen LOL

[zman]

I'd go with a kayak if I needed another small vessel for ponds and such. Much more moble and lighter. Can't tote the gear, but on ponds you don't need a big tacklebox anyway - get a vest.

[macgyver]

Well if he's asking why not be honest. I'd say I want either a Triton, or a Ranger, minimum 18 foot, preferrably 21 foot, with a minimum of a 150HP, but preferrably a 225hp ;D Make sure it's set up with 2 good fishfinders, and a Maxxum trolling moter. Need to also make sure that it's plated while he's at it, and a Nice big-o-truck to haul it back and forth to the lake. And lastly, I want him to go fishing with me as much as possible, so he can enjoy my graduation present too 8)

Lizards

[sabass]

[quote author=bassfisher02 link=board=news;num=1118180458;start=0#1 date=06/07/05 at 17:54:25] i would look into a jon boat..more space, can handle atleast a 10hp.[/quote]

lol, mine will barely handle a 30 lbs thust transom mount w/battery without the water going over the edges every time I lean a little. I've had the feeling where the next little bit of water could send me swimming. Ain't fun that way.

[Bassin_Dude]

how big is yours? thought yours was like 10' or so right? im talkin like 14-16'.

[sabass]

[quote author=lizardsrule link=board=news;num=1118180458;start=0#8 date=06/08/05 at 00:27:26]Â*I'd say I want either a Triton, or a Ranger, minimum 18 foot, preferrably 21 foot, with a minimum of a 150HP, but preferrably a 225hp Â*[/quote]

some of us would rather go to the lake to fish, not play ;D

[sabass]

[quote author=bassfisher02 link=board=news;num=1118180458;start=0#10 date=06/08/05 at 01:07:37]how big is yours? thought yours was like 10' or so right? im talkin like 14-16'.[/quote]

9 foot, 'bout 2.5 feet wide, with me in it, floats in about 4-6 inches of water depending on gear, could "scoot" in 2-3. Not that I ever really need to, but it works wonder for going over all the cover we have down here.

[spinner_13]

Just used a "Bass tracker" like that this past weekend. My father in law just bought it and I weight in around 190 he is 230 or so.

We put us, 3 poles, a trolling motor and a batter as well as other supplies and had no problems.

His lake is a decent 2000 acre lake. I would not receomend to large of a lake due to its limited speed (by motor size we were using). If a storm came we would ahve been hard pressed to get off in time.

Bonuses are its small, easy to handle for one person, extremely stable, light. gets in shallow water, easy to move etc.

I was extremely happy with the experience.

If you live in michigan I know where one is for sale around $600 with troller.

[n2b]

[quote author=lizardsrule link=board=news;num=1118180458;start=0#8 date=06/08/05 at 00:27:26]Well if he's asking why not be honest. Â*I'd say I want either a Triton, or a Ranger, minimum 18 foot, preferrably 21 foot, with a minimum of a 150HP, but preferrably a 225hp Â*;D Â*Make sure it's set up with 2 good fishfinders, and a Maxxum trolling moter. Â*Need to also make sure that it's plated while he's at it, and a Nice big-o-truck to haul it back and forth to the lake. Â*And lastly, I want him to go fishing with me as much as possible, so he can enjoy my graduation present too 8)

Lizards[/quote]

wow lizards you red my mind. ;D

[bearpaw]

Got a friend who has a Coleman. He bought it years ago and it's still going strong. It appears to be a little heavier than other boats of the same size (jon boats). That "I" think is due to the fact that it's glass ref. aluminum.
I presently have a "Basshunter" that weighs appx. 100 lbs. It's plastic w/a 20 lb thrust trolling motor on it. I usually fish with the motor set on 1. No problems getting around in it.

[Scott_Calvin]

i would go with one of the plastic boats because they are light weight and all i need a boat for is to go out on a little pond behind my house that has a sh!t load of bass in it. the thing with john boats is they are havy and hard to transport with out a truck. like i said all i need a boat for is to go out on a little pond behind my house

[Bassin_Dude]

how are you going to transport a plastic boat like that without a truck? those plastice boats weigh 100lb+. i still prefur jonboat, more room, and can get into shallower water. btw, what part of orlando are you from?

[coolman]

there goes that ryan kid again posting stuff he doesnt know about or dumb questions/remarks just like his "frozen, live, or artifical" post! I think someone needs to talk to this kid!!!

[okefenokee010]

Taken care of...go check the "frozen..." post again.

[NorthNJangler]

I had a boat like that. It was great, got me into places others couldnt and I was always catching fish. Plus it only fit me so no one to annoy me Of course I used in on ponds in south Georgia. The only drawback is the space. but since you are starting out, you will figure out how to arrange your equipment and make the most out of it.

[bearpaw]

They make plastic boats with wheels.
Maybe you could just get a used trailer, it doesn't really matter what kind just so long as it will hold the boat.