Sundolphin Sportsman 8 and 10 in a 2015 Toyota Tacoma?

MacHammer · October 08, 2019, 03:27:51 PM

Greetings!

I really want to get a SunDolphin 8 or 10 and I'm trying to determine if I need to get a trailer or not. I own a 2015 Toyota Tacoma with the 5.5 ft bed and drop tailgate. That gets me about 7.5 ft of length. My question concerns the width.

I went to Bass Pro today at lunch and did my best to measure the width of the pontoons. I come up with 3 ft 7 inches. Then, I measured between the wheel wells and came up with just over 3 ft 6 inches.

I don't know exactly where the salesman held his end of the tape, so I don't know if the 3-7 measurement was accurate or not.

So I turn to you, oh wise and experienced ones...

Do you have a Tacoma? Does it fit? What else should I know?

Thank you.

Mac Hammer
Chandler, AZ

FlatsNBay · October 08, 2019, 07:03:46 PM

Hey Mac,

I have a Tacoma with the same size bed and a 8' Bass Hunter which is a little wider than the Sun Dolphin. I find that the boat fits nicely when sitting it higher on the wheel wells instead of trying to fit it between them. I'm thinking of trying to put a couple of milk crates in the bed of the truck in the middle of the pontoons for a little more stability. The boat sticks out some with the tailgate open. I use tie downs to secure it safely to the truck. I personally wouldn't get a trailer for it unless you have trouble sliding it into and out of the truck.

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MacHammer · October 09, 2019, 11:05:30 AM

Thank you! That is the real-world info I was hoping for.

Does the boat still remain flat enough to secure gear inside without it tipping out? Boxes? Battery?

Do you think you'd do a small trailer if you did some of the cool mods that would add more weight?

Thank you, again.

Mac

FlatsNBay · October 09, 2019, 07:18:10 PM

The boat fits flat and all of the gear fits easily in the boat. I wouldn't put any light stuff or the seats in it while driving down the road for fear of them blowing out.

A trailer is a personal thing. If you do a bunch of mods like a floor to add weight, a trailer might be a good idea.

I've read that a lot of guys get a cheap trailer at Harbor Freight that works pretty well.

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MacHammer · October 10, 2019, 10:32:40 AM

That really helps. Thank you.

I've been looking at the Harbor Freight option as I'm getting excited about adding some weight to the boat! I want a casting deck and better seats, as well as cleaning up all the wires that tend to collect around motors and batteries. But that can come later, after I do some basic fishing with my kid from the stock setup.

I had one of these back in 1989 and loved it, even in its base configuration and only a trolling motor. I took several friends out and turned them into lifelong friends in that little boat.

MacHammer · October 28, 2019, 10:00:10 AM

I found the perfect test to see if the boat would fit in my Tacoma. I bought one!

This is a 2015 Bass Pro Pond Prowler, in the 9-foot edition. It sits flat between the wheel fenders and extends the tailgate by the distance shown in the picture.

While the boat is still stock, we'll carry it like this. If it gets too heavy, I'll look into the Harbor Freight trailer customized to fit this one.

So, at least for this model, the answer to "will it fit" is a definite yes.

Mac Hammer

FishaHallic · October 28, 2019, 04:04:36 PM

I fished for years out of those style boats, I really enjoyed it, getting into smaller waters, launching from side of road to small ponds. I kept mine as lite as possible, just a battery, trolling motor, small tacklebox and a few rods. Since I was almost always by myself I unloaded everything, batteries, tackle, motor and dragged it down to the water. Oh the memories....

MacHammer · October 29, 2019, 11:29:14 AM

Quote from: FishaHallic on October 28, 2019, 04:04:36 PM
I fished for years out of those style boats, I really enjoyed it, getting into smaller waters, launching from side of road to small ponds. I kept mine as lite as possible, just a battery, trolling motor, small tacklebox and a few rods. Since I was almost always by myself I unloaded everything, batteries, tackle, motor and dragged it down to the water. Oh the memories....

When I graduated college in 1988 and was going to continue into grad school in the same place, my dad bought me the 8.5 Sundolphin. Best. Gift. Ever. I was driving an old '79 Ford LTD Station Wagon, complete with the wood paneling. That boat would slide right into the back end and the nose was even with the tailgate. I could single-hand it to any of the many lakes around Southern Illinois and usually had enough room to toss in a buddy to go along with me. I can't wait to start over again with what I know now that I didn't know then.