Beavertail 1200/2000

[lumbertick]

I own an Otter 1200 Stealth...Beavertail assumed this line and as far as I can tell are making the boat exactly the same. For the size it's the most stable boat out there that I know of. I never hunted out of one of Benders boats...but it's prettty similar in form to a Carstens which I know is less stable than my Stealth. With everything though there is a sacrifice stability...and in this case it's weight. I think the 1200 comes in around 100lbs...throw in decoys, shells, and Bigdogs lunch and your pulling a significant amount of weight..and unless you're a svelt 49 year old stud like myself it can be a lot of work pulling that thing around. I have stood on gunwales of this boat just like the photo in the ads, pulled a wet 70 pound lab over the side and I never felt like I was in any danger of tipping....it's solid as a rock. I paddle it with a canoe paddle...and it does take a little skill to keep it going straight...but if you can C and J stroke it goes just fine. If you're into kayak paddles I think it would work great...I don't like a kayak paddle because my hands get too wet.


lt

[dwendt]

LT awesome review that helps a lot, does it turn pretty hard? I was thinking kayak paddles since u have kayaked before and was fairly good at it, also where do you row from? I have seen some guys say the aux. seat is best and some say back is.

Thanks!

[dwendt]

I wish we had a bass pro shop they're going for 719 right now and a guy wants 725 for his 3yr old one that has camo paint. He wanted 1200 with trailer. Seems crazy high

[lumbertick]

I usually sit in the seat when the boat is loaded...trying to keep it loaded a little front heavy. It seems to track and turn better that way. If I am chasing a cripple or picking up dekes when the boat isn't loaded I kneel in the center. The stability is really nice for poling through the rice or grass...because then I stand in the back...it brings the bow up a bit for plowing through the vegetation. If you're not in a hurry to buy one I'd be more than happy to meet up for a test drive in the spring. Might even consider selling it as I am in the market for a kevlar canoe and could use the cash

lt

[dwendt]

I'm in no hurry I'd love to try it out once spring roles around I'll have to remember that! Just out of curiosity do you have any of the accessories for it? I haven't seen many reviews for those, if you do let me know how they fit and if they're any good, etc.

[Brose]

I would maybe look into Hell Bender boats, if you are wanting to drag it by yourself. His boats are considerably lighter.

You will not be disappointed.

[maplelakeduckslayer]

I have a Beavertail that I bought to haul down the little logging roads and get to backwoods lakes up north...love that thing. Super stable. Floats two guys and gear easily. Way better than rowing out into the lake on an inner tube like I used to do.

Weight is the biggest issue although it ain't bad. I made an axle out of square tube...then ran a steel rod through the middle...foam wheel barrow wheels. Then just ratchet strap it to the boat and pull it behind the wheeler. Worked really well for two days...then broke. Wasn't built well enough for severe off road use haha. It was a good learning process though...might make another. My Dad just bought a 4 person Ranger though that he keeps at the cabin...and the boat straps beautifully to the top of the roll cage.

[duck_dude]

I own both an Otter 1200 and a Hellbender Double End 10'. Both serve a purpose and both are stable. As stated previously, the Otter pulls hard across basically anything and the Hellbender is light. The benefit of the Otter is you can hunt two guys out of it. If you're alone, the double end 10' is the best boat I have been in.

[dwendt]

Thanks for the info guys, how hard does it pull? Not sure how you can compare or give an example I'm just curious.

[Brose]

HellBender is the way to go.