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Budget bait boat (29 posts / 4,690 views)
Belch Belch
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 4,660
Post #16 9 Mar 2026 16:04
2
In reply to Post #13
. . .. They had a fall out with the UK distributor and have resurfaced as Bee Tackle who are backing up all ND purchases; the kit / support is the same. . .I've had Boatman products (and still own a Mk4i Compass) - the build quality is nowhere near ND I'm afraid and the price point not massively different, especially when you look at the GPS versions. The Vulcan is pretty much an Actor Plus in disguise, these are not big pit boats IMO but fine for your 'average' UK lake in fair conditions . . .

The OP needs a 'budget' boat for range - the width and triple keel depth of the ND make it more stable . . proper separate double hoppers with twice the capacity and built in GPS that you can unlock when it suits. Also more future proof - these boats are easy to pimp / fix . . you pay yer money and make yer choice - just my opinion!
karmh karmh
Posts: 1,177
Post #17 9 Mar 2026 19:31
0
Any idea what the catch X boats like (not mini or pro)
Cheers for advice.
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #18 9 Mar 2026 21:17
1
Deeper have just released a new more budget friendly boat.
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #19 9 Mar 2026 21:17
0
In reply to Post #16
👍🏻
Backofthenet
Posts: 101
Post #20 9 Mar 2026 21:33
0
In reply to Post #11
Yep and its coped well
karmh karmh
Posts: 1,177
Post #21 9 Mar 2026 22:47
0
https://www.tackleuk.co.uk/shop/CarpFishingBaitBoats/ridge-monkey-hunter-3000-bait-boat.htm

That's the new RM one then £900
Belch Belch
MODERATORMOD
Posts: 4,660
Post #22 10 Mar 2026 13:28
0
In reply to Post #21
Yep - Bigger and heavier than the ND but with less bait capacity and a single hopper . . .they've changed the handle design (which makes total sense) but the rest of the boat looks like a 750 on steroids . .
Ellz-501
Posts: 8
Post #23 28 Mar 2026 12:26
0
In reply to Post #18
The deeper spark? Not out yet - mid 2026. Do I wait for that to release but may be outside my budget for a boat for this smaller lake.

I'm on a small 3 / 3.5 acre syndicate and looking for my first boat and realised bait boats are a minefield and there seems to be bad reviews for most boats out there within the budget boat category:

750 RM - lots of bad reviews so reckon I will stay clear - although it suits the smaller lake I'm on.

NDS (Now Beetackle) - gets a lot of recommendations but also some negative reviews, but think that was the licensing / lawsuit related but Beetackle do offer warranties for new purchases.

Boatman's actor plus / Vulcans - seem to have good customer service but the battery charger times put me off. Plus unless you spend more you get limited GPS - from what I watched in videos and read on forums.

Just looking for a good boat within that £650 max budget - ideally a return feature as well.
Think you have to pay extra for that on the NDS which I'm leaning towards unless anyone has suggestions or personal experience with the Boatman's?
chillen81 chillen81
Posts: 869
Post #24 28 Mar 2026 13:24
0
In reply to Post #23
Boatman vulcan mini great little boat for the money
karmh karmh
Posts: 1,177
Post #25 28 Mar 2026 15:07
1
In reply to Post #23
I ended up getting an nd2 due to recommendations and only used it on one session but happy with my decision. The RM 750 as stated by people is tiny when I saw it in person.
Tim-bowne
Posts: 1,081
Post #26 28 Mar 2026 15:47
0
In reply to Post #24
Can anyone tell me if the Vulcan mini takes on a little bit of water in the hopper like it's big brother? I know you can buy aftermarket raised doors that help with this on the Vulcan but just wondered about the mini. Cheers.
Ellz-501
Posts: 8
Post #27 28 Mar 2026 17:50
0
In reply to Post #25
I know the boatman's, NDS all get good and bad reviews like all boats do...

I guess people are more likely to go online to express their displeasure when they have issues compared to a lot of people who don't have issues so always gonna find bad reviews on any boat within the budget category.

Still doesn't make it any easier when deciding which one to get 😅
Craftycarper97
Posts: 119
Post #28 5 Apr 2026 22:29
0
Just used a cheap camo Chinese? Bait boat that flips the load out of the back I was given on a smallish, 2 acre lake that costs around £100-150.
Put a deeper chirp 2 on it and had 5 fish from 31lb to 22lb using a small load, .5-1 kg max out to 50-60 yards

Guy in the next swim had what looked like a RM 750 and had 5 out to similar weights also but was going out to 100 yards.

The deeper done the job as it told me where the fish were. Boat just made it easy.

Don't really see the need to fork out hundreds if not thousands unless you're on a big water exposed to the wind and waves that could sink a lesser craft.
JasonM JasonM
Posts: 1,764
Post #29 6 Apr 2026 14:16
0
Trouble is with a cheap Chinese boat one day it might just fail, resulting in you having to retrieve your expensive deeper if able to..
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