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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 π
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In reply to Post #24
Can anyone tell me if the Vulcan mini takes on a little bit of water in the hopper like itβs big brother? I know you can buy aftermarket raised doors that help with this on the Vulcan but just wondered about the mini. Cheers.
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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.
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In reply to Post #23
Boatman vulcan mini great little boat for the money
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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 Β£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?
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4431 |  | | MODERATOR | |
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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 . .
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https://www.tackleuk.co.uk/shop/CarpFishingBaitBoats/ridge-monkey-hunter-3000-bait-boat.htm
That's the new RM one then Β£900
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In reply to Post #11
Yep and its coped well
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In reply to Post #16
ππ»
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Deeper have just released a new more budget friendly boat.
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Any idea what the catch X boats like (not mini or pro)
Cheers for advice.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4431 | | | MODERATOR | |
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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! 
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In reply to Post #13
They have been through a right mess with ND tackle and then NDS, now they have fully rebranded to Beetackle after the legal issues have finally been put to bed.
I have the ND 2, never missed a beat for me. Although admittedly i don't use it that much in the Uk
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In reply to Post #1
Boatman mini vulcan gps ππΌππΌ
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Have ND not went bust? Theres only one option when it comes to budget bait boats and thats a boatman vulcan.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4431 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #8
All boats need looking after . . .an ND2 is no different. Most problems are user error (unless your simply unlucky and have a duff boat)
The main thing is understanding electrics and water/condensation do not mix - as long as you ensure battery compartment seals are up to scratch and boats are dry when stored in between sessions they generally have minimal if any issues . . .
A boat that's doing regular 340 yard return trips (x3 = more than half a mile!) several times in a session and in a chop needs to be watertight and most importantly reliable! It also needs to be stable and powerful enough to cut through adverse conditions etc.
Being totally honest (and in my own painful experience) I think you'll find using a Deeper even with a range extender at anything over 100 yards / flat calm conditions with a clear line of sight, a pain in the back side . . .they are a good interim solution for quick feature finding but do not have the connectivity and reliability of a fully integrated Toslon / Raymarine system etc
Whilst the Boatman products are def good value, I personally wouldn't be confident using them on the water and at the range you're intending to fish. I could be wrong - get one and report back!
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In reply to Post #10
Have you used it relatively long range and choppy?
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Iβve got the Vulcan and love it - cracking piece of kit for the money. Mine is the basic model and I attach my deeper to it
The boat has top loading and plenty of space in the hopper. Both the boat and remote are pretty solid and waterproof! Battery lasts well too especially when speed is dropped to medium
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I bought a standard Actor Plus from my mate last year. I had no previous experience with bait boats, but the Actor Plus is very easy to use, and it has surely helped me catch some fish I wouldn't have caught without it. My mate upgraded to the Vulcan with sonar and GPS.
I have since bought a Deeper and the range extender. As said you can't go far wrong with something from Boatman.
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In reply to Post #4
Nice one for that detailed response. I did consider nd2 but a mate has one and had a couple problems but could be a one off.
Sounds like the RM is out the question then.
In regards to the deeper yes I know a range ext will be needed as even with casting it's a nightmare.
It's hard to tell how small they are without seeing them in person!
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In reply to Post #6
It definitely needed it lol
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4431 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #5
Little spankmonkey has improved since first release version . . .however its still limited to small waters / canals etc IMO
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In reply to Post #1
As a non owner but I have used one
It was during the covid era so they may have released a newer version since but
The ridgemonkey.
handset fell apart when I used it
It didnt drive in a straight line had to keep juggling with the handset possibly needed trimming.
Very slow and I thought it was noisy.
Felt cheaply made as it buckled and flexed until you put the catch over where you load the rig into the boat. Clever idea badly executed.
I used to have a procat and preferred that for something similar in size.
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| | | Belch | | Posts: 4431 | | | MODERATOR | |
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In reply to Post #1
What water are you fishing Luke? What's your budget? You need to consider a boat that can handle a 5oz+ lead plus rig and bait at range . . .and also one that is visible!
Def not Ridgemonkey 750 - it'll take you an age to get to the spot, let alone see the boat. You'll also be lucky if its powerful enough to return especially in a cross wind. . . I don't have experience with Boatman other than the Actor Mk4i and Actor Plus . . .both are also too small / lightweight for chop and regular use at 170 yards IMO . . .I've played with the Vulcan and I know loads rate them but again I'm not sure I'd risk it as its not that different in size to the Actor Plus . . .they are however bringing out a super-sized Vulcan (saw it at the Big One) but not sure on price / spec - Ridgemonkey are also doing the same with a 750 design thats on steroids.
SB3 could handle it - compact, reliable and stable (but these are now arguably like classic cars and most don't like fixing them etc) and may also be outside your budget. I love mine for most typical bait boat applications so I'm biased . . .but they are genuinely solid boats with a good track record. Mine is also white so you can see it at range . . .
Toslon XBoat are actually good value, very stable and reliable with massive keels - lots who regularly fish larger open waters that are always subject to adverse conditions use these by choice over any other boat . . also very pimpable with top of the range RTK GPS and Sonar being easy to fit . . but mahoosive in size and the weird compact hoppers also not ideal . . .
RT4/RT7 also a good choice (Triple keel) but heavy and you'll need to sell your kidneys / the missus car to buy a well specced one, as well as look after it to ensure it doesn't leak etc
On the basis of all of the above (and I also own one and quite like it) I would say ND2. Decent size / weight / hoppers etc and stable in chop with triple keels. It is also relatively cheap as a basic boat. Easy to pimp with Sonar / Deeper etc and has a decent integrated GPS that simply needs 'unlocking' via an app, as well as being usable from a joystick button press (no need for additional tablets if you cba to use Sonar) . .quite a few available in the used market if your on a budget . . .
BTW whatever boat you go for if you're planning on using a bolt on Deeper at 170yds you'll def need a range extender . . .and even then you'll probably experience signal loss. Welcome to the money pit that is baitboats! 
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In reply to Post #1
Anything Boatman will see you right π
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In reply to Post #1
Like you i never thought I'd get one but needed it for a French trip and went for the Boatman plus with sonar nor GPS. I can't recommend it highly enough, its been great and when I have had a few little issues a quick call to Boatman and they've been fantastic to help get it sorted
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I'm going to the dark side on one particular lake because unless you can cast 170 yards then the percentage of bites received compared to not is obvious. The lake is also very open, windy and although not big it's about 20 acres at a guess so does get choppy.
So I need a budget bait boat, never thought I'd buy one but here we are. It appears to be a minefield. I'm unsure if I need some of the features or not, if I buy one without say GPS will I regret not getting GPS? Sonar not that important as a I have a deeper (which I never use) that I could bolt onto it. It's more for the distance than anything, I have seen some have a top loader which seems like a much better idea and probably a deal breaker but is it?
The less money I can spend the better as it's only for a club lake and it's the only lake I can use it on. But have narrowed it down to these boats I think, most likely second hand but might be new I'm undecided.
Boatman Vulcan
Boatman plus (with gps maybe??)
Boatman Vulcan mini
Ridgemonkey hunter
Nd1
Rippton intrepid.
Or any other recommendations at all?
Which would you buy and why please?
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