I know that Bait Boat threads often lead to all manner of conflicts on the forum and I have previously been in the 'bomb them all' camp. However, recent surgery on my shoulder and more scheduled in a few weeks, means I am unable to cast far. I know I can catch in the margins, but not every water is conducive to that method.

I am looking at the Waverunner range but more the same boats under the Bear Creeks name. They advertise to be fitted with GPD Pilot and a sonar can be added. Is there any feedback on here about them? I've done some homework and bought an Actor Boatman GPS which is slow and, at times, moody. I want something semi-decent at no more than £1200.

Please keep it light and helpful, I'm in a jam and don't want to be caught in the crossfire of opposing armies.

In reply to Post #1
I would steer well clear of bear creeks and go for the waverunner. You need decent local service.

In reply to Post #2
That makes sense, thanks.

In reply to Post #1
ND2 might be worth a look mate. For £1200 you can get one with auto pilot.

Can either include a deepr inside it or buy a arm and add to back.

In reply to Post #2
Waverunner "service" is appalling!

And im sorry to say im speaking from experience.
Avoid!

In reply to Post #1
You say the GPS is slow what do you mean.?

In reply to Post #1
I have a waverunner atom and blew the main board by using a wrongly wired Chinese battery cable. Sent it to bear creeks for an upgrade to auto pilot gps and had sonarfitted at the same time. The boat works really well most of the time....

Issue 1 since upgrade was the on off switch died. Replaced it myself and working fine.

Issue 2 today I swapped the switch again as I thought it had died again, boat wouldn't turn on. Turns out one of the power connectors into the main board is dodgy and needs to be pushed to make proper contact. It is now held in place with gorilla tape.

I've not contacted bear creeks about either yet but will when i get home from this France trip. But when dealing with them before, the contact and service was great from the Germany team.

I had previously tried the UK agent and didn't even get a reply.

I would gladly have another of their boats though I think..... Possibly lol

In reply to Post #1
I dont know from personal experience
but seems Waverunners reliability and aftersales is very questionable I think there are better more reliable boats around

In reply to Post #6
The home setting is the problem, it won't switch off and the handset has to be totally reset to recover it. It's also slow and, the camo version I bought (2nd hand), disappears about 50-60 yards away. That and I don't get on with the one-handed control, the rear hopper doesn't empty well, you get the picture.

In reply to Post #8
Such as? Any recommendations gratefully received.

In reply to Post #1
Future carping do a decent range of boats and have excellent customer service. Give them a shout I am sure they will hook you up with what you need.

100% Get an ND2.

In reply to Post #12
They've sold out But I have thought about the 1

In reply to Post #13
Don't get the ND1.

The ND2 is way better, I am sure they will come back in stock soon.

In reply to Post #14
Says available within 1 month on their website.

I've had a waverunner mk4 over 2 years now great boat never had a problem with it.

In reply to Post #13
What about a wanted bait boat add in classifieds

In reply to Post #16
Same I got one off eBay local to me (work wise )got to see it working great boat for when I need to use it

In reply to Post #16
Error double post

I need to think long and hard about what I want. So many choices and still no front runner, and the extras like Autopilot and sonar are so expensive.

I need a lie down. I probably won't get out again for a few months so, no hurry.

Thanks for your input guys

Have a look at the gowi osprey. Your won't regret it m8

In reply to Post #21
Gowi have a new boat out, only just above your budget and has all the features you need, might be worth a look.

In reply to Post #1
Thanks to okdgeezer I am able to poss help mate

Actor Plus with GPS is spot on £600 and after sales is fantastic if you need.

Bigger hopper than the basic. ND2 is also a superb bit of kit but they sell out as soon as they arrive in stock plus ND after sales I found a bit hit and miss

Either boat is decent for the £££

Would ‘steer clear' 😂 of the others mentioned tbh

In reply to Post #20
Absolutely. Everyone is different and fishes different venues etc. So you need to determine what it is exactly you want from a boat. A list of "must haves" etc (do you really need GPS? Fish finder? Are the essential?) You can narrow your options down quite quickly if you do thisand create a shortlist. You will see a lot of people saying "get this boat or get that boat" which may be a great choice for them.....but not so much for you. So get the short list sorted first.

In reply to Post #24
Good point about the extra gadgets.
Before the OP had a bad shoulder he didn't have them, if the reason for a boat is just because of his shoulder now then just get a basic boat, hopefully his shoulder will improve and will be able to get back and casting, with all the faff I read about boat, batteries and gadget problems on here I sometimes wonder if it's worth it in some cases.

In reply to Post #23
Thanks for posting Spence

as you have owned and used most of the baitboats your input is a good one

In reply to Post #26

In reply to Post #20
Thats why i went with the ND2 as you can buy it without the autopilot feature and just activate when its ready.

Well, I decided that I knew just what I wanted but can't justify the expense at the moment. I'm a bit impatient and have an autumn trip to France booked.

Yes, I do want sonar. I have a Deeper but the casting is going to be a no-no for months so, let the boat do it for me.

Yes, I do want GPS/Autopilot as leading around is another problem for the future.

I've bought a Cult Ranger with all the bits I need - including two sets of Lithium batteries and am very pleased with it.

I know that many will disagree with my choice and will claim the x.y, or z is far better but, I am happy that I can fish even if the reeling in is a bit soar. I may have to give up carping if the trouble persists, I'll confront that in due course but, for now, I am looking forward to the time I can get out and nail a few.

Thanks for all your input

In reply to Post #29
Long as your happy mate that's all that matters after all.

Hope she bags you a few

In reply to Post #29
your money your choice mate not a boat I have heard much about but checked it out and its got good specs
it should be nice and stable as its a heavy boat at 8 kg ! plus add up to 3kg of bait
look forward to you bagging some great fish and get some vid on your phone of your new Angling aid good luck mate

In reply to Post #28
Love autopilot on my SB3 but personally think it only really comes into its own on larger waters / night fishing - smaller waters / days an Actor Compass with its auto forward function is almost as good (if you already know your spots)

Re your budget look out for 'nearly new' SB3s that come on the marker sporadically; bullet proof baitboat IMO and the perfect balance of stability / size / weight / speed / user friendly

In reply to Post #7
As a follow up.....

Don't touch them, they seem to use cheap junk that keeps failing. My replacement gps didn't even last a year and now the kit is out of warranty their customer service is junk. 3 weeks so far and they just keep ignoring, then repeat a question I've already answered and then ignore....

Sorry, but spend your money elsewhere

I've had a few different boats over the years, waverunner after sales is awful wouldn't buy another one from my experience.

I've got a x boat which is brilliant and absolutely love it apart from the size it's huge! I only really use it on bigger waters, I had an actor boatman for smaller waters but really didn't like it just felt cheap nasty and just didn't get along with it.

Sold that and got my nd2 and that is a brilliant little boat I have a deeper on the back aswell with the nd arm I use this boat all the time great boat mate you won't be disappointed with it

I have recently bought a ND2 boat with the deeper arm on the rear and its amazing. I had no troubles setting it up and its been faultless. *touch wood*.

I did a lot of research and it very much came down to the Actor or ND2. The other boats in the price range seemed to have no end of negative posts and complaints on facebook. I went with the ND2 cause of a review on here and i saw one at my syndicate and spoke to the owner who loved it and has had no issues either.

Hope you find what you're looking for. Good Luck

I would say whatever you get imho autopilot one of the best features to have.
Being able to set your waypoints so you fish your spots even in the dark and with a press of a button the boat returns to you with no effort

Also bear in mind if you want the boat modded in the future it's worth checking out there who is able to undertake such work a lot steer clear of Amazon and Chinese boats.

In reply to Post #36
Gosh, so bait boats now drive themselves to preset spots?

A lot of things seem to have changed in the last 10 years, but this and the mini fish finders seem to be another level!

In reply to Post #36
Got to say I'm not keen on autopilot, espesh with the money involved.
My RT4 drove itself into a dam wall after flawlessly working all day (loss of satellite signal I was told). It also grounded itself on floating reeds, luckily they blew into the bank, and then there was the time it was going to drive into a Swan until I took over, that wouldn't have ended well with 3.5k of boat probably being sunk by said swan.

Use at your peril, never again 4 me !

In reply to Post #36
3.5k just for the remote control boat and gadgets? Is this stuff bought on the never, never?

My days, do they really improve results that well?

Well, since bait boat captures don't count, the answer is a resounding “No”.

In reply to Post #39
That was 2017 prices, you should see the prices now, more towrd 6k with Carplounge, it's ridiculous and if you want to use all the mapping features there's a monthly subscription on top.

They can be a very useful tool and you don't need to spend anywhere near that, nice boat and deeper as already mentioned, that's the route I've gone back to too.

@rkb, you discriminationg against less abled anglers in this day and age...my my!

In reply to Post #40
Ahh, good to know something's haven't changed 😂😂.

If you've got the money and can't cast the fair do's I suppose.

As a thought, I'm available to come and fish for you and won't cost anywhere near as much as your remote control toy you can pose with the fish 👍

In reply to Post #41
Monthly subscription my days, fair play to the person who's business idea that was.

What do you get, access to all spots on all lakes?

In reply to Post #43
You're not wrong, great business idea! What do yo get, I've no idea but I very much doubt you'll have use of other users data but I could be wrong.

In reply to Post #41
You're excused if you qualify for a bus pass or a blue badge.