|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #36
SB3 is the first boat I've ever had that straightlines perfectly - no matter what the conditions, no matter how unbalanaced (big heavy PVA bag and 5oz lead in a single hopper) push the stick straight forward (or to the quickmarker on autopilot) and its sails on a lazer beam. . .no thumb corrections required - brilliant kit
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #36
You'll like it 
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
i have the boatman and it is very good and price wise as well.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #35
But in all seriousness to the OP, as others have already mentioned look at getting a good used Carptechnics SB4 or if a bargain comes up an SB3. They really are well engineered and made here in Britain which to me is a real bonus. I can't comment how good they are on the water yet though as I've still not got to use my SB3!!
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #34
I just had to google her. I'd let her talk me into anything too!!
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #33
to be honest I would listen and agree to everything she says . . .without question 
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #32
She talked me into it 
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #31
Big, Heavy Expensive & German - unlike Claudia Darga who likes them 
|
|
|
|
|
Carp Royal Baron. Built in GPS, Autopilot and sonar. Not cheap. German engineering.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #27
are you on medication? I find a cheeky danger tug helps me during times of duress . . . 
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
Just picked up a ND2 for my france trips and must say im really pleased with it.
Works very well and was remarkably easy to use, i had never used a bait boat till i used a ND2 last year and was really impressed with it then.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #26
The others are really nice on the phone its just the one guy lol. I only call them once a year for the service even got them to fit the fish finder they sell to only find out its complete crap.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #25
lol - sounds like they really dont like you! I've found the owner of Howes (Martin?) to be a nice chap - always helpful and good banter . . .
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #21
The guy from howes is never happy to answer the phone.
When i had the problem with the controller i called them and he basically just said read the manual and pretty much hung up the phone.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #23
Agree - very versatile - can be updated with any Toslon Sonar GPS / XPilot or Raymarine / Dragonfly / SP Autopilot for tablet users . . .can also accept Winchcamera etc / colour change LEDs / additional cameras / the choice is endless . . . and made in the UK!
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #21
And its upgradeable with Tolson fish finders and X Pilot, which I know Chris already has on his SB3. That's next year for mine, but, any of the Carptechnics boats are pure class. Absolutely love mine.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #15
lol - strange you should say that as Boatman did exactly the same when they released the Actor Plus
I bought a first release version but the steering was dog sh*te and after complaints started to come in at the time they claimed you 'needed to get used to it' . . . . .followed by an updated version that resolved the issue 
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #12
Sounds like you've got a lemon - either that or Howes don't like you! Had a Reaper for years and although it had sporadic use it was abused when it was used - zero problems; bomb proof design - ideal first boat IMO
Would def ignore Ridgemonkey / Boatman tat - yes they are light and cheap but they will die on you, sooner or later.
As per Petes post - If you want to spend a bit more but still have a compact, reliable, lightweight but massively stable boat with awesome battery life you could do worse than a Carptechnics SB3 / SB4. Some good used deals on SB4s if you shop around (under £500) however SB3s are more versatile. I love my SB3 - best boat I've ever used . . .well worth the investment
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
It's a bit pricier than the options you've given but if you can stretch to an SB3 with a lithium battery, you'll get 8 hours running from a single battery and dual hoppers in a mint compact boat. I used to have a boat with lead acid batteries and needed to cart around loads of them for a weeks fishing.
Now a single battery for a week. Brilliant.
Carptechnics 👍
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #18
I had an actor plus, good little boat but couldn't get on with the steering. Replced it with an ND2 and its a much better boat in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #17
Have you had any problems with it at all and whats the battery life like on the actor plus cannot seem to find alot of reviews or videos about it.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #16
Had the actor plus since last September and yes it’s better than the hunter 750 and no I wouldn’t go back to the hunter 750 actor plus doesn’t everything I need
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #15
How long have you had the actor plus and would you say its better then hunter 750 with the new remote or would you go bk to the hunter.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
I’ve had the ND2 great boat but to big for my needs . I then purchased the Hunter 750 as wanted something more compact but found the steering absolutely crap due to the joystick on the remote sitting to low so sold it but them ridgemonkey bought out an updated remote with raised joystick after they let the paying customer do the field testing and after lots of complaints.And I now own the actor plus which is not overly big but still compact enough and holds a decent amount of bait I’m very happy with perfect size that does the job
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #13
No idea would like to think they are tho costs enough to send it there pay for the service and have it sent back.
|
|
|
|
|
Then maybe it’s howes fault as they might not be servicing it correctly in the first place
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #10
I send it back to howes every year to get a full service. The last time i sent it too them it came back and the next trip out is when the controller went on me a set of batteries went within the first year.
I clean the boat after every trip i dont leave it outside when fishing goes in the bivvy i take the batteries out once my trip has finished i spray the grease stuff in the boat after every few trips like i was advised to do by howes.
It was a great boat to start with but after the first year it started getting problem after problem.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
Another vote for the lakereaper mines been no trouble at all and if you do ever get any problems easily takes apart and spares readily available
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #4
They are a very well regarded boat ,many many people rave about them . And Tbh can't think of anyone but you who's been negative about them. Maybe you're a tad heavy handed with it?
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #5
I am just having a lengthy battle with the tackleshop regarding this boat. I had not problems for 6 months and couldn't understand all the hatred towards the boat then. Little by little it started happening to me. Quality is the issue. Its a great boat great concept but the quality is its biggest downfall. It started with the battery light not working out of the blue to signal when fully charged, then the charger then the brackets broke of the back, to developing a crack in the hull. Would have been the perfect boat if it wasn't built on the pure cheap for premium money. Use to love Ridgemonkey but I get the impression they are taking us on a ride on everything we buy from them these days.
Price gone up and the quality going way down but they are all at it now
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #2
Can't agree more. Had my lake reaper for 5+ years now and no issues with it. Great boat.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
get a Big Lake bait boat, fantastic boat, no problems and if you need customer service for advice etc they reply almost immediately.
|
|
|
|
I mysepf just bought a RT4
However, the one id go for is the ND hamds down.
In its standard form its a good boat but should you decide to go onto a bigger water it can be upgraded rather than but
a new boat. Lots of speed kits avalable, lots of things like cameras, echo sounder etc
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
Just been out for three days with a mate using the ridgemonkey boat.
I was actually quite impressed with it.
Pros
Small/lightweight
Battery was still going three days later and that was with two of us using it.
Controls were decent once you got used to it.
Cons
Fairly small hopper
Not the fastest
Didn't find the lights very bright
It is however worth noting we was on a calm mere fishing about 80-100 yards to the far margin in good weather.
Would be interested to see how it got on with a bit of a chop on the water with it being so lightweight.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #2
i have a lake reaper its **** it dont steer straight the hopper is rubbish and its broken more times then i have used it. Had to buy the new controller for it as the other one packed up working.
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
I know someone with a hunter and the control knob fell off first time out
It doesn’t steer straight either
|
|
|
|
In reply to Post #1
None of those - first boat get a Lake Reaper - much more reliable than any of those boats
|
|
|
|
Hi i am stuck on what bait boat to buy and need some help on the good and the bad for each of them to help me pick one.
I dont fish a very big pit currently
the boats are
Ridgemonkey hunter 750 £500
The nd2 new direction £550
The boatman actor plus £350
|
|
Tackle