BOTE paddle boards have been lurking on the fringes of the hunting life for years. Intuitively, a lot of guys think it’s a fisherman’s thing, but the possibilities are limitless for hunters. And BOTE knows that very well.
BOTE ROVER
Already, the company had designed the BOTE ROVER, which is a paddle board that transforms into a microskiff and the transformation is a piece of cake. No tools required. In an instant, you can go from paddle to power using the company’s Moto Rac.
There’s a video featuring Louisiana brothers Red and Brown Frenette. These two are the sons of a fishing guide and they take the ROVER through enough scenarios from fishing to duck hunting that you can get a great sense of what this paddle board microskiff can do.
Related: River Hunting Turkeys Is a Challenge Worth Trying
The BOTE ROVER is a hard board. You can get specs, product how-tos and more detail from BOTE's product page.
MSRP: $3,499
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2C_0ybjG-g&feature=youtu.be
Rover AeroBOTE
Constructed from Military Grade PVC using Drop Stitch technology, the Rover Aero is not only virtually indestructible, but it’s also rigid as a plank.
But before we linger too long on the ROVER, BOTE just announced another product. It’s the Rover AeroBOTE, an inflatable that's both a paddle board, a skiff, a dinghy. But this one's in a bag. And it’s available for purchase later this summer.
Why do you want a boat in a bag?
Because if a boat is in a bag, you can put it in the back of your truck. And you can carry it on a plane. And if you’re a hunter living on .33 acres of land in the suburbs (which many of us nowadays are), you can store this boat in your garage … on a shelf.
Click the image to view a larger rendering. The AeroBOTE comes with a rechargeable electric pump that will fully inflate and deflate your boat.
Plus, there are other scenarios this boat lends itself to that will turn a hunter’s head. For one, hunting options and flexibility just got a lot more intriguing for out-of-state hunters where long travel is required. Duck hunters can stop dealing with crowded, public boat ramps at 3 a.m. Better yet, they can avoid the guy who'll inevitably be on the ramp fumbling to get his duck waders on and his dog in order.
Related: How To Hunt Squirrels From a Boat
Then there's the guys who hunt hard-to-get-to hunting ground, where access means crossing a body of water. They're beneficiaries of this grand idea of a boat. And turkey hunters who prefer easing along a narrow river bank to get to a wild turkey sounding off in a river bottom just found an ally.
For more information, specs and how to get the boat into the bag and out of the bag, take a look at BOTE's product page.
MSRP: $2499 without the motor, and $2999 with the Hidea Motor.
FAQs: Rover AeroBOTE
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Rover AeroBOTE, taken from the BOTE website:
WHY BUY AN INFLATABLE ROVER INSTEAD OF A SOLID ROVER?
The Rover Aero is durable and ideally suited for areas of rough terrain, like rivers and lakes, that often have rocky shorelines or areas of shallow water with a rocky bottom and tree stumps. It combines ease of transport and ease of storage, from flights to the family car, from apartments to onboard boats.
WHY DOES THE NOSE OF THE BOARD RIDE SO HIGH IN OFF THE WATER WHEN RUNNING AT HIGH SPEEDS?
When under power, the Rover Aero is designed to lift the nose out of the water which provides a smoother ride and tighter turning.
WHAT IS THE MAX HP OF MOTOR I SHOULD USE?
The max HP motor we recommend is 6hp short shaft outboard. It provides plenty of power for most people and is very fuel efficient.
DO I HAVE TO REGISTER THE ROVER AERO?
If you add a motor to the Rover Aero, then most munipalities, counties or states require the craft to registered at your local tax collector's office or DMV.
WHEN WILL THE ROVER AERO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE?
Rover Aero will be available for purchase from boteboard.com in late summer 2018.
Featured photo: Rover Aero (BOTE)
