Best Bass Boats: Three Pelican Picks and How to Choose

The Pelican Bass Raider 10E is the first pick for anglers who want a swivel seat on a small boat. Two other Pelican models suit different loads and motors.

A silhouetted angler stands on a bass boat with a motor on a calm lake at sunset, casting a fishing rod.
In this article

The Pelican Bass Raider 10E is the first pick for anglers who want seats that slide and swivel. Its seats move along tracks, so you can shift your weight to trim the boat, and they turn 360 degrees, so you can face any direction while fishing or reaching for gear. For a bass boat that you want to fish from a seat rather than stand in, that combination matters most. To go further, see Best Duck Hunting Boats and the Blinds That Make Them Work.

The maker also says the boat is pre-wired to connect an electric motor or sonar to a 12 V electrical outlet. If you plan to add a trolling motor or a fish finder later, you won’t need to run new wiring first. Two other Pelican models cover heavier loads and a different style of fishing, and they are described below. Learn more in Best Bobbers for Fishing: Five Picks and How to Choose.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

How we picked: from products sold on Amazon for this need, compared by what their makers state and what buyers report in their reviews.

The Picks at a Glance

Product

Best for

Weight capacity maximum

Item dimensions l x w x h

Material type

Buyer rating

Pelican Bass Raider 10E

anglers who sit and fish

600 lb

122″L x 50″W x 20.75″H

‘Ram-XTM’

4.3 of 5 (193 reviews)

Check price on Amazon

Pelican Boat Intruder 12

two anglers with lots of gear

420 lb

56.69″L x 18.9″W x 6.59″H

Plastic

4.5 of 5 (171 reviews)

Check price on Amazon

Pelican Bass Raider 10E Ergo360

anglers adding a trolling motor

600 lb

—

Polyethylene (PE)

5.0 of 5 (9 reviews)

Check price on Amazon

Buyer ratings as shown on Amazon on October 13, 2026; they change.

Pelican Bass Raider 10E: Best for anglers who sit and fish

The Pelican Bass Raider 10E is the first pick for anglers who sit and fish. Its two folding seats slide along tracks and swivel, so you can change your position and face any direction without standing up.

The maker says the boat uses a patented RAM-X material with high-impact resistance. For you, that means the hull can take knocks from a dock, a trailer or a rock without being a constant worry.

The seats swivel 360 degrees, and the boat has multiple storage compartments, drink holders and two vertical rod holders. In daily use, you can reach your tackle and rods without leaning across the deck. The maker also says the boat is pre-wired for an electric motor or sonar through a 12 V outlet, and it has a maximum weight capacity of 600 pounds, enough for a second angler and your gear.

Pros

  • Seats slide and swivel 360 degrees for easy positioning.

  • Built-in storage, drink holders and two vertical rod holders.

  • Buyers say the boat is roomy for its length and stable enough to stand and fish.

  • Buyers say it is lightweight and easy to carry.

Cons

  • Buyers say some feel it is not good value for the money.

  • At 600 pounds of capacity, it carries less than the Pelican Boat Intruder 12 does for a heavier load.

If you fish with a second person and a lot of gear, look at the Pelican Boat Intruder 12 instead.

Check price on Amazon

Pelican Boat Intruder 12: Best for two anglers with lots of gear

The Pelican Boat Intruder 12 is the pick for two anglers who carry a lot of gear. The maker lists a 420-pound maximum weight capacity and up to 36 cubic feet of cargo space, which makes it a fit for a second person plus tackle.

The maker lists a 420-pound maximum weight capacity, enough for a second person and all your gear. In daily use, that means two anglers, rods, a cooler and tackle boxes can share the boat, as long as you count the gear in that total. The seating capacity is 2.

The interior holds up to 36 cubic feet of cargo, and the maker says the hull has extra flotation to meet or surpass ABYC standards. Thirty-six cubic feet leaves room for bulky items that a smaller boat cannot take. The extra flotation adds a margin if the boat takes on water. The boat weighs 129 pounds, and it has three carrying handles so two people can carry it.

Pros

  • Buyers say the boat is sturdy and well made for its quality.

  • Buyers say the boat is lightweight and easy to handle, and the maker lists 129 pounds.

  • The extra flotation inside the hull adds a margin of safety on the water.

  • Two people can carry it using the front and back handles.

Cons

  • It carries less than the Bass Raider 10E’s 600-pound limit.

  • The built-in motor mounts take an electric or gas motor up to 6 HP.

  • The warranty is 2 years limited against manufacturer defects, and conditions may apply.

If you fish alone or want seats that slide and swivel, the Pelican Bass Raider 10E is the first pick.

Check price on Amazon

Pelican Bass Raider 10E Ergo360: Best for anglers adding a trolling motor

Pelican Bass Raider 10E Ergo360 is the pick for anglers adding a trolling motor, because it comes wired for one. The maker lists a 600-pound maximum weight capacity, enough room for a second angler and your gear.

The boat is pre-wired to connect an electric motor and/or sonar to a 12V electrical outlet. For you, that means a trolling motor or fish finder can be hooked to the boat’s power without a separate wiring job first.

The Ergo360 seat sits on sliding tracks, so you can move it to shift your weight, and it swivels 360 degrees, so you can face any direction while fishing or reaching for gear. The hull is made from a patented Ram-X material that the maker describes as highly impact resistant. It also comes with two vertical rod holders.

Pros

  • Pre-wired 12V connection for an electric motor or sonar

  • Seat slides on tracks and swivels 360 degrees for easy casting and reaching

  • A 600-pound capacity leaves room for a passenger and gear

Cons

  • The warranty is 2 years against manufacturer defects and 1 year on parts and accessories, and conditions may apply. Coverage with conditions is less certain than a plain promise, so you should know what it covers before you rely on it.

If you do not plan to add a motor, the Pelican Bass Raider 10E is the first pick for anglers who sit and fish.

Check price on Amazon

How do you choose the right bass boat?

Start with how many people you will carry and how much gear you bring. Those two answers narrow the field faster than any brand name. A boat that is comfortable for one angler with a tackle box can feel cramped with a partner and coolers.

The weight limit is the number to watch. The Bass Raider 10E lists a maximum weight capacity of 600 pounds, enough for a second angler and gear. The Intruder 12 lists 420 pounds, which is workable for two lighter anglers but tight once you add a motor and batteries.

Next, check seating and wiring. The Bass Raider 10E has two folding seats that slide on tracks and swivel 360 degrees, so you can turn to reach gear without standing up. Its pre-wired 12 V outlet means an electric motor or sonar can be connected without running new wire from scratch.

If your budget is set, compare brands. Ranger, Triton, Nitro and Tracker are among the bass boat brands that appear in buyer guides [1][2]. Buyer guides rank these brands as strong choices when matched to the right buyer, so match the brand to your budget, hull type and size before you shop [2].

Where should you begin?

Start with the swivel seats if you spend most of the day sitting and casting. Pelican Bass Raider 10E is the first pick for anglers who want swivel seating, and that feature is what sets it apart for a day on the water.

The seats are the main reason to choose this boat. Each folding seat slides along tracks so you can move to the spot where you want to be, and it turns a full 360 degrees so you can face any direction while you fish or reach for gear. In practice, that means you can cast toward a bank, turn to grab a tackle box, and turn back without standing up.

Before you buy, decide whether you plan to add an electric motor. The 10E is pre-wired with a 12 V outlet for an electric motor and/or a sonar, so the wiring is already in place when you want to upgrade. If you know you will add a motor, the Ergo360 version of this boat is built for that setup.

If you do not plan a motor, the standard 10E still gives you the seating and storage you need for a simple day of bass fishing.

Sources

  1. 10 Best Bass Boat Brands

  2. Best Bass Boats for Sale in 2026 | Buyer’s Guide + Top Picks