Small Bass Boats.

[Atjie]

Hi

I would like to find out if one can go onto any dam with these new small bass boats with only a trolling motor.

(Boat size 2.6m by 1.4 or pontoon tipe float tubes not sure what it is called.)

Do you also need a skippers for fresh water with these small boats.

Can any one help with the rule and regulations.

Thank you.

 

[wetfrog]

No skippers needed for small craft under 3m and less than 15Hp,

 

[Fishton]

Under 9m

 

[pjjdp]

Hi, Sorry for the late hijack, What about buoyancy on these smaller boats?

 

[cranky]

things to consider before buying a boat of any kind...consider looking into a kickboat...

they are light and easy to manage on your own...can carry it from the vehicle to the dam when you fish isolated private dams.

no skippers required

no floatation required

no cof required

no boat registration required

no trailer registration

we fish rivers...we have kickboat light enough to carry in rocky sections of the rivers

we fish private dams where not even little boats can launch 

if you have a bakkie you can load the rig before you leave for the dam...pump up pontoons etc.

you can position yourself exactly where you want to be by just just moving your flippers

you sit out the water.

we carry everything you would be able to carry on a small craft...from our tackle...rods and reels...to cooler boxes for those who enjoy a cold one on the water...raincoats...you name it.

you can fit a trolling motor and fish finder for the bigger dams...example hazelmere i have done in 4 hours from the jet ski launch to the dam wall into the river and back to the jet ski launch...on a 105 amp/hr deltec battery with a 30 lb min kota trolling motor...and in that time still managed to land a nice fish...using a mega bass crank.

fishing off a kickboat is a great social experience...because you move slowly around the dam there is a lot of banter on the water between the guys...chirping and just having good fun...it also helps for the newbies because in durban...we have people like rory who shares his vast experience with the guys who are starting out...kzn puddlehoppers has grown and whats so great is the guys organise weekends away at private dams...like 2 weeks ago they were up in the midlands and this weekend they are in pmb.

some people have asked why i havent made a double kickboat for 2 people...but the best part is you dont have to worry about your partner on the boat hooking you with a crank...the beuty about a kickboat is you can fish right next to each other and chat even if the wind is blowing and stay in the same position without haveing to make adjustments with the trolling motor...and have to worry about the back of the boat swinging around all the time in the wind

i could go on all day but i am sure you ge tthe idea.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fishton]

pjjdp wrote:

Hi, Sorry for the late hijack, What about buoyancy on these smaller boats?

All boats need a buoyancy certificate, even a kayak / canoe.

If you do not have this (thousands of recreational K1 and K2 canoes for example) and something happens to you, your insurance will not pay your family out.

And if you are involved in an accident, even if it wasn't your fault, you better put your house in your neighbors name because you could possibly lose it if the other party decides to sue.

Scary stuff I know, but it is the law now.

 

[Fishton]

I built this 20ft catamaran, and according to the law - a 2 year old can skipper it - as long as it has a current Buoyancy Certificate. 

 

[yusuf pelwan]

thats just a really really nice toy there Fishton! Well done :kaykak