Opinions sought on a new boat--Plan B: kayak, pram or pond prowler?

[kjackson]

I really appreciate the feedback from all you folks, and I thought I'd give an update with a new set of questions.

Update: There are a number of boats available right now that look good, and if I wasn't so lazy, one would be sitting in my driveway right now. But when the freezing rain and ice hit, I pretty much curled up in a ball and stayed inside. I still have a sheet of ice in my back driveway, so I'll probably wait a bit longer. And to add some confusion, I've started thinking about a mod-vee jon boat as an option--something like the Grizzly 1648  with a side console might work.  We'll see...If you have experience with this boat or have a better suggestion, please let me know.

Moving on to the second question: I need a small boat of some kind to keep in town because there are quite a few places nearby where a small boat would be perfect as well as some of the strip pits where you can't use a gas-powered boat. While I could bring a kayak back in town from our LOZ cabin, that takes planning and effort-- I'd like to have something that lets me get a wild hair, load a boat or whatever into the truck and go fishing at a moment's notice.  I grew up fishing out of a pram, and I can see a 10-footer as being something that would work well. But it's slower than a kayak--more stable, too-- and would require that I build it. Most stable kayaks cost a bundle new, so I am not sure I'd do that. But what about a Pond Prowler or one from that category?  Are they as good/functional as they appear? I have no experience with these and could use some input.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, kjackson said:

I really appreciate the feedback from all you folks, and I thought I'd give an update with a new set of questions.

Update: There are a number of boats available right now that look good, and if I wasn't so lazy, one would be sitting in my driveway right now. But when the freezing rain and ice hit, I pretty much curled up in a ball and stayed inside. I still have a sheet of ice in my back driveway, so I'll probably wait a bit longer. And to add some confusion, I've started thinking about a mod-vee jon boat as an option--something like the Grizzly 1648  with a side console might work.  We'll see...If you have experience with this boat or have a better suggestion, please let me know.

Moving on to the second question: I need a small boat of some kind to keep in town because there are quite a few places nearby where a small boat would be perfect as well as some of the strip pits where you can't use a gas-powered boat. While I could bring a kayak back in town from our LOZ cabin, that takes planning and effort-- I'd like to have something that lets me get a wild hair, load a boat or whatever into the truck and go fishing at a moment's notice.  I grew up fishing out of a pram, and I can see a 10-footer as being something that would work well. But it's slower than a kayak--more stable, too-- and would require that I build it. Most stable kayaks cost a bundle new, so I am not sure I'd do that. But what about a Pond Prowler or one from that category?  Are they as good/functional as they appear? I have no experience with these and could use some input.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

I’ve had a pond prowler for decades.   It’s great!    50 pound trolling motor on the front.   Nice seats with backrests.   I’ve caught hundreds if not thousands of fish in it.  Great for urban electric only lakes.  8’er fits in the bed of my ram.  

[tjm]

I built an 8' pram when I was in high school, so about 60 years ago, designed to sail, it wasn't that slow, was two person capacity and my brother and camped out it on one stream float, I fished the Osage and S. Grand out of it and would kinda compare it with the 12' Jon that had years later except that it would fit in the bed if my '51 Ford  and it only weighed about 40#. If  I remember right it took two whole sheets of plywood. loved that little boat and never got to sail it. But, after the Jon I built a square stern 15' plywood pirogue that I liked much better than either. With fiberglass outside it weighed almost 80# and carried myself wife two kids and the dog. If I were thinking of another boat for me, I'd probably be looking at pirogue plans, but for small waters and easy portability the small pram is stable fishing seat if not too nimble.

[BilletHead]

4 hours ago, kjackson said:

I really appreciate the feedback from all you folks, and I thought I'd give an update with a new set of questions.

Update: There are a number of boats available right now that look good, and if I wasn't so lazy, one would be sitting in my driveway right now. But when the freezing rain and ice hit, I pretty much curled up in a ball and stayed inside. I still have a sheet of ice in my back driveway, so I'll probably wait a bit longer. And to add some confusion, I've started thinking about a mod-vee jon boat as an option--something like the Grizzly 1648  with a side console might work.  We'll see...If you have experience with this boat or have a better suggestion, please let me know.

Moving on to the second question: I need a small boat of some kind to keep in town because there are quite a few places nearby where a small boat would be perfect as well as some of the strip pits where you can't use a gas-powered boat. While I could bring a kayak back in town from our LOZ cabin, that takes planning and effort-- I'd like to have something that lets me get a wild hair, load a boat or whatever into the truck and go fishing at a moment's notice.  I grew up fishing out of a pram, and I can see a 10-footer as being something that would work well. But it's slower than a kayak--more stable, too-- and would require that I build it. Most stable kayaks cost a bundle new, so I am not sure I'd do that. But what about a Pond Prowler or one from that category?  Are they as good/functional as they appear? I have no experience with these and could use some input.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

                  Sounds like you have many options, Keith.

     If you decide you want something to put an electric motor on and since you are such a good guy, I happen to have an extra 50-pound Minnkota transom trolling motor that I would gift to you. Will deliver if we make it up to the tri lakes flyfishing deal.  We don't need two. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, BilletHead said:

                  Sounds like you have many options, Keith.

     If you decide you want something to put an electric motor on and since you are such a good guy, I happen to have an extra 50-pound Minnkota transom trolling motor that I would gift to you. Will deliver if we make it up to the tri lakes flyfishing deal.  We don't need two. 

You could probably turn the head around and put it on the bow.   That’s what I did.  

[BilletHead]

21 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

You could probably turn the head around and put it on the bow.   That’s what I did.  

            I did that with my bass pro version of the pond prowler. Used that for many years. When We both started flyfishing we even used that boat. Sold it and bought a 12' flatbottom. It gave us more room and somewhat less dangerous.