Okay, here’s my blog post about messing around with a Pelican John boat:
So, I finally got my hands on a Pelican John boat. I’d been wanting to do some more fishing on the local lake, and rowing a bigger boat was getting old, fast. I wanted something small, easy to manage, and that I could just toss in the back of my truck. This little Pelican seemed like it fit the bill.
Getting it Ready
First thing I did was unwrap the thing. It came strapped to a pallet, and it took a bit of wrestling to get it free. Important note: make sure you have some decent gloves, the edges of the plastic can be a little sharp.
Once it was unwrapped, I gave it a good once-over. I checked for any obvious damage from shipping, scratches, or anything that looked weird. It’s pretty basic – just a molded plastic hull with a couple of bench seats. I was surprised at how light it was! I could easily lift one end by myself.
First Test Run
I threw it in the back of my pickup – it fit perfectly, with the tailgate down. Drove down to the lake, and honestly, sliding it out of the truck and into the water was a breeze. No trailer, no fuss. Grabbed my oars (I bought those separately, they don’t come with the boat), and hopped in.
First impressions on the water: surprisingly stable! I was a little worried it might be tippy, but it felt pretty solid. I rowed around for a bit, getting a feel for it. It tracks pretty straight, and it’s easy to maneuver. Definitely easier than my old, heavier boat.
Adding Some Gear
Now, it’s pretty bare-bones, so I knew I wanted to add a few things. I picked up a couple of clamp-on rod holders – those were super easy to install, just tighten them onto the side. I also got a small, battery-powered fish finder. I didn’t want to drill any holes in the boat, so I used some heavy-duty adhesive pads to mount the transducer. Worked like a charm!
- Rod Holders: Clamp-on, no drilling required.
- Fish Finder: Small, battery-powered, adhesive mount.
- Oars: Bought separately, make sure to get the right length.
Fishing Time!
Okay, the real test. I loaded up my tackle box, grabbed my rods, and headed back out. The rod holders worked great, kept everything secure. The fish finder was a nice addition, helped me locate some good spots. And honestly, just being able to sit comfortably and fish from this little boat was awesome.
I spent a good few hours out there, caught a couple of bass. Nothing huge, but it was a relaxing day. Getting the boat back to the truck was just as easy as launching it. A quick rinse with the hose when I got home, and it was good to go.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m really happy with this Pelican John boat. It’s exactly what I was looking for – something simple, portable, and easy to use. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done. If you’re looking for a small, no-frills boat for fishing or just messing around on the water, I’d definitely recommend checking it out. Just remember to grab some oars!
