When I’m looking through used jon boat ads I always see those small odd pontoon-like plastic boats. It’s hard to tell where the front or back is. Turns out these are Pelican Bass Raider boats. So of course, I had to do more investigating and compare the classic jon boat vs Pelican bass raider.
In this article, we will compare a jon boat vs Pelican bass raider. We’ll cover things like stability, durability, and fishability. We will also discuss the other pros and cons of a Pelican bass raider vs a jon boat.
- Design and Construction:
- Pelican Bass Raider: The Bass Raider is a lightweight and compact boat specifically designed for bass fishing. It features a pontoon-style hull with an open cockpit and a built-in trolling motor mount. It is usually made of rugged and durable polyethylene material, which makes it resistant to impacts and easy to transport.
- Jon Boat: A jon boat is a versatile and multipurpose flat-bottomed boat with a rectangular or semi-V shape. It is typically made of aluminum or fiberglass and comes in various sizes. Jon boats often have a bench seat or multiple swivel seats, and they offer a larger open deck space compared to the Bass Raider.
- Size and Capacity:
- Pelican Bass Raider: Bass Raiders are generally smaller in size, ranging from 8 to 10 feet in length, with a narrower beam. They are designed for solo or two-person fishing trips and have a limited weight capacity, usually accommodating up to 500-600 pounds.
- Jon Boat: Jon boats come in a wide range of sizes, ranging from 10 to 20 feet or even longer. They offer more space and have higher weight capacities compared to the Bass Raider. Depending on the size, a jon boat can accommodate multiple passengers and handle heavier loads.
- Stability and Maneuverability:
- Pelican Bass Raider: The Bass Raider’s pontoon-style hull design provides good stability in calm waters, making it suitable for fishing in small lakes, ponds, or calm rivers. It is maneuverable and can easily navigate in tight spaces or shallow areas.
- Jon Boat: Jon boats have a flat or semi-V hull, which provides stability and allows them to handle rougher waters and moderate chop. Their wide beam enhances stability, making them suitable for various fishing conditions, including larger lakes, rivers, and even coastal areas.
- Fishing Features:
- Pelican Bass Raider: The Bass Raider is specifically designed for bass fishing, with features like built-in rod holders, a trolling motor mount, and sometimes a livewell. The open cockpit design provides easy access to fishing gear and ample space for casting.
- Jon Boat: Jon boats offer versatility for different types of fishing. They often come with options to customize and add fishing accessories such as rod holders, fish finders, baitwells, and even elevated casting platforms. The spacious deck area allows for more freedom in configuring your fishing setup.
- Portability and Transportation:
- Pelican Bass Raider: The lightweight and compact design of the Bass Raider makes it relatively easy to transport. It can be loaded onto a truck bed, roof rack, or trailer without much hassle, and it is suitable for anglers with limited storage space.
- Jon Boat: Jon boats can be heavier and larger, requiring a trailer for transportation. They may need more effort and equipment to launch and retrieve from the water. However, their larger size also allows for more storage space and the ability to carry additional gear or passengers.
Jon boat vs Pelican bass raider conclusion:
If you’re going for a small boat that is ready to bass fish right out of the box I say get yourself a Pelican Bass Raider, it’s plug and play, plug the trolling motor in and go play. If you want something that can be customized for many different applications from bass fishing to utility boat then go with the blank canvas that is an aluminum jon boat. Either choice will get you on the water fishing and having fun so don’t overthink it. Tell us your opinion in the comments section, are you going for a jon boat or bass raider?