"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
"John" wrote in message
...
On Mar 9, 4:32 pm, "Joe Haubenreich"
wrote:
John,

The Bass Hunter mini-pontoon boat I now have, with a beam of 48 inches
across the gunwales, wedges snugly between the wheel wells of a small
pickup
like my old Nissan. Of course, it fits easily in a full-size pickup bed
with
plenty of room to spare..

The Pelican Predator 103 has a 61"-inch beam, and although that is
across
the gunwales and the modified v-hull means it takes up less room at rest
across the truck bed, you're right to question whether it will go in
easily.
I can't answer that question.

Are you planning to ever use this by yourself, or always with a buddy
who
can help you load the boat onto your pickup?

You may be able to square your body to the boat, plant your feet firmly,
and
lift one end of it easily, but it's not nearly as easy when you're off
to
one side trying to hold up the front of the boat at about head height,
and
dragging the boat up a ramp so that you can rest it on the tailgate of
your
pickup. This is pretty tough to do with a 100-pound Bass Hunter. I bet
the
165-pound Pelican Predator 103 is even harder for a single person to
load.

Another advantage of the Bass Hunter is that the battery isn't in a
battery
box. When I have to lift it myself, I can lighten the load considerably
by
removing the batter. In the Pelican, the battery is in a compartment.
You
can still remove it, of course, but you'll be tempted to try loading
with
the battery in place.

Consider finding a small, used trailer that you can use to transport
your
boat. I've seen them for sale around $100 -- considerably cheaper than
the
doctor visits, CAT scans, lab work, etc. that you'll pay when you throw
your
back out.

Joe
--------------------"John" wrote in message

...

Hi all,
I'm planning on purchasing a mini bass boat for pond fishing
this season. I need to transport it it the back of my pickup. Most of
the pontoon style mini boats can fit in the truck bed, however I have
my eye on the Pelican Predator 103 or DLX. Can anyone tell me if these
hulls fit in the bed of a full size truck? Many thanks.
J

Thanks so much for your insight Joe. Sounds like I will be fishing
with a buddy by default. I had considered the battery compartment a
plus, that much less clutter, but I definitely see your point about
lightening the load.
Thanks again.



Mini boat trailers can be had pretty cheap.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=5002

Actually any small utility trailer will work. Just assemble the hubs with
water proof wheel bearing grease and put bearing buddies on as I mentioned
before. The one I gave the link for was setup for a small boat, but a small
flatbead would work just as well for such a light boat, and is available
cheaper.

Put bearing buddies on it when you assemble it.


--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com