by MikePehanich Senior Writer "Bass Master" magazine
With the economy down and unemployment up, extracting sales of high-powered bass boats from budget-minded anglers has been like digging oak stumps with a week spade.
More than likely, you've felt the pinch yourself.
Some have cut their fishing trips down, choosing to replace their passion with the noble pursuit of the perfect lawn manicure.
Pray for them.
Truth is, hard times don't necessarily have to translate into fewer fishing outings, though they may force you to adjust your sight to close-to-home waters.
Can't launch your bass boat on that 20-acre lake down the road? No problem! Inventive minds have turned considerable attention to the design of watercraft that conform to comtemporary pocketbooks and those pocket waters near home that you and almost every other serious angler in the area have been overlooking for years.
We have entered the Golden Age of small craft, a time when innovative, compact, lightweight, easy-to-handle watercraft can be launched easily in areas with modest launching facilities -- or even none at all -- and are readily affordable to the lion's share of the angling populace.
Building on a trend of recent years, small craft comprised what was, arguably, the most innovative product category at ICAST 2009. Featured were boats, kayaks, pontoons and hybrids designed for manual or electric operation. All can be launched easily from shore -- with or without a ramp.
Carolina Twin Troller
A boat designed for small water access and superior angling maneuverability is the Carolina Twin Troller X10 from Carolina Electric Boats in Benson, N.C. Most notable of its three patented features is a twin electric motor system -- a pair of custom MotorGuide 36-pound-thrust motors -- recessed in the hull for dual-foot control and remarkably seamless backward, forward and even 360-degree maneuvering with the subsconscience ease of driving a car.
"It's not looking at an arrow or holding a handle. You're not trying to get the feel for a cable," Doug Lee, company co-founder, says of the 10-foot craft. "You drive it without even having to think about what you are doing... And when you hook a good fish, it is easy to back up away from cover."
The Twin Troller is easy to launch and trailer, too -- even on waters with only primitive ramps or no ramp at all. The lightweight molded hull -- only 75 pounds -- is made from a patented polyethylene formulation, called surpass, developed through a joint venture with Nova Chemical. The craft is remarkably stable and virtually unsinkable under normal load, and it can operate in less than a foot of water.
Local governments, especially in California, are flexing their muscles as they limit access to backwaters, lakes and streams. Signs stating 'No Motorized Boats' are becoming more and more common. In an industry which is developing ways to tread lightly on our angling environment and fish, one company, in a bold move, may have hit a homerun.
The Twin Troller X10 made by the Carolina Electric Boat Company incorporated two electric trolling motors recessed into the small craft's hull. This propulsion system allows the angler to use his feet for boat operation and keeps his hands for fishing.
The X10 allows you increased coverage of a waterway, as a bass angler would do with his trolling motor on a conventional bass boat.
Bass Angler's Guide tested the X10. Here's what we found:
Floatation and Stability:
The X10 is approximately 48 inches wide and 10 feet long. We could stand on the gunnels without the boat capsizing which was truly impressive! What also amazed us was how shallow this boat drafted (4 to 6 inches), talk about paralleling a bank!
As some 30 mph winds came up, this craft was able to safely get us ashore. The X10 is not a big-water boat, although even when completely swamped, the sealed unit will float upright! We tested the X10 in slow, heavy current, near water-skiers and in shallow stick marshes choked with weeds.
Operation and Management:
The craft was easily managed from the truck to the water with the assistance of the optional dolly (highly recommended!).
By pushing your heel down on one pedal and your toes down on the other, you can turn 360 degrees on axis. Negotiating tight spaces and swift travel is not a problem. The pedals are removable and can be placed in the front or back of the boat.
The X10 will give you 6-9 hours of fishing with a single Group 27 battery. It will also accept a small gas outboard if desired.
Fishability:
The X10 has rod ramps on both sides of the boat allowing you up to 4 rods. A tackle pack fits on the floor. Trophy hunters are going to love this hull because its quiet, able to travel over submerged limbs and weed pockets unlike a bass boat's exposed trolling motor. Have you ever fantasized about gliding a 100 yards back into submerged tree limbs? It's now a reality!
The removable folding seats are comfortable, turn 360 degrees and allow better casting angles than from a bass boat or kayak.
BAG's Evaluation:
The X10 gets an "A" for design and function. It is durable and stable. The X10 gets a "B" for portability as the craft requires a dolly to carry over distances. The X10 gets an "A" for operator comfort once in the water. The X10 received an "A" in fish-ability. You are able to sit, stand or fish. The Carolina water-machine received a "B+" for access to fish. Fighting fish around the boat was no problem but on occasion it would have been nice to have a livewell. All in all, the X10 is extremely durable, stable, easy to operate, and a dream to fish from.
Even in this economy, the bass boat market and prices continue to push the ceilings off the homes of the average angler. Waterways especially in California are raising the temperatures of anglers as local governments test their muscle creating less access to backwaters, lakes and streams. Signs stating ‘No motorized boats’ are becoming familiar.
One company’s answer… the Twin Troller X10 by the Carolina Electric Boat Company. It incorporates two fully electric trolling motors recessed into the hull’s cavity. This propulsion system allows the angler to use his feet for boat operation and his hands for fishing.
Different from a kayak, canoe, float tube or mini catamaran. The X10 allows you increased coverage of a water- way, much like a bass angler would do with his trolling motor.
BASSEAST staff tested the X10. Here’s what we found:
Floatation and Stability: The X10 is 48 inches wide and 10 feet lone. Impressive was the boats determination not to be capsized. We watched a 200 plus man stood on the gunnels of the craft without falling into the drink. What also amazed us was how shallow this water-rat was able to draft. With one person in the boat, the water buggy propelled itself in 5 inches of water.
Even in 30 mph winds our water-buddy was able to safely get us to shore. The X10 is not big-water boat, although if completely swamped the sealed unit will float! We tested the X10 in slow, heavy current, near water-skiers and in shallow stick marshes choked with weeds.
Operation and Management: The craft was easily managed from the truck to the water with the assistance of the company dolly (an necessary accessory).
Innovated propulsion: By pushing your heel down on one pedal, your toes down on the other, you can turn 360 degrees on axis. Negotiating tight spaces and swift travel is not a problem. The pedals are removable and can be place in the front of back of the boat.
The X10 will give you about 7-8 hours of fishing with a group 27 battery. The 10x has a transom and can accept an 3 horse power gas motor.
Fishability: The X10 has rod ramps allows you 4 rods each side of the craft.. A tackle pack will fit on floor. Trophy hunters are going to love this hull. It is quiet, able to travel over submerged limbs and weed pockets unlike a bass boats exposed trolling motor. Have you ever fantasized about gliding a 100 yards back into submerged tree limbs? It’s reality now!
The above gunnels, folding seats are comfortable, and the boat will turn 360 degrees on a dime great for behind boat docks.
The X10 is extremely durable, stable, easy to operate, and a dream to fish from.
Basseast.com’s evaluation gives the boat an “A”. Its stable, easy to use, durable, quiet, angler friendly, easy on your back, made for the caster and drafts extremely shallow. The boat covers water in a pond or back area very efficiently and quickly.
Twin Troller boat offers foot control and is an economical option for anglers
ICAST is without a doubt reel and rod heaven, but the show isn't just about traditional tackle, and there are always one or two watercraft manufacturers that introduce an offering worth taking a serious look at. With the rising costs of fuel smaller more portable electric boats are becoming more and more attractive, and the new Twin Troller offers hands free maneuverability.
The electric Twin Troller Boat with its hands-free maneuverability is designed to change the way anglers fish. This innovative new boat features a embedded twin motor design that is controlled by anglers feet while they are sitting in the boat. The Twin Troller X10 is 10 feet in length, 48" in width, and weighs 175lbs. the boat is capable of holding 585lbs, and has an outboard rating of 2hp should you want to add another motor. The two electric motors housed in within the hull are Motorguide heads with 36lbs of thrust. The battery life with a normal battery is 6-8 hours, and the boat is capable of achieving 4-6 knots, depending on conditions.
Frank Jones, president of Carolina Electric Boats shows us the Twin Troller X10 which features embedded motors and can maneuver unlike any other boat. Photo courtesy of TackleTour.
Carolina Electric Boats offers a unique line of electric powered fishing boats.
The Twin Troller X10 is a foot controlled, hands free electric powered recreational boat that will change the way you fish.
