Bankes Hercules Feedback

T

Todd H

Active member
I have an opportunity to get a Bankes Hercules layout for a pretty decent price. Does anyone here have any experience with them that can tell me some pro's or con's? I know it is a HEAVY boat and has to be towed, but what about launching? Is it a pain having to tow it seperatly, or has anyone come up with a better method of getting it to the lake without two guys having to drive?

Any help is appreciated!

Best Regards,

Todd
 
Awesome boat! Very "luxurious" and comfortable for us big guys!

As you pointed out, it is heavier, but it can be towed. You can run it across the gunwales, but that will depend on the size of your tender. Just have to use common sense on how much weight your boat can handle.

Best,
Steve
 
Thanks for the reply Steve. My tender would have no problems with it on the gunwales, but what about going down the road? At 14 feet long, it would be over the legal limit on width.
I'm trying to find a solution to getting it to the lake without two guys having to drive . May be the only way to do it though???

Todd
 
Depending on the size of the tender. Place 2 padded 2x4's across the gunwales and lay Bankes over the 2x4 secure lenght wise and your ready for the road.
 
That boat was a steal and I missed it by minutes. Sold 30 min after posting if I'm thinking of the same one. Hopefully its not the same one and you get yourself a bankes!
 
Sorry for the misunderstanding; when the tender is on the water, take the layout boat cross ways on the bow of the tender. When traveling down the highway, turn the boat parallel with the tender. You'll probably have to build some type of rack to support it in transit.

Best of luck,
Steve
 
Paul, I think we are talking about the same boat. I'm going to pick it up tomorrow. I think it's a great deal as well. I went and looked at it this morning. Its in excellent condition. I called about two minutes after it was listed. I guess that I'm just going to have to tow it with another vehicle because of the length.

Todd
 
You'll need three men, a boy, and a crane to load that on the gunwales of your tender. That boat weighs about 260 lbs as I recall. I've personally towed one, with the cockpit cover on, at 34 mph on GPS...
 
Todd the Hercules is truely a fantastic boat indeed, Towing would be best but becarefull towing in rough sea's even the Hercules can become a crank bait in a hurry if it catches a wave right. AS for carrying onboard as dewayne said there heavy and will take some man power to get it onboard. And watch the weight capacity of the tender. I am sure your running a large tender so probably not an issue but Just incase.

Most guys use 2 vehicles to transport these boats or build a custom rack above the tender to carry them.

Truely a great boat and you will mostlikely enjoy gunning from it.

If you decide you dont like it call me, we'll work out a trade. :)
 
Todd,
The hercules is an awesome hunting boat. I believe it's listed at 225lbs. but I'd bet it's every ounce of 250. I use the dominator to tow it on the water and fashioned some custom trailer bunks to tow it on the road. I thought about having a custom trailer done, like a two level deal, but the boat is heavy to move around. Having it's own trailer works best for me. It's a trade off with the hercules, portability or hunting comfort, seems you can't get both in a layout???? However you get it to the water, I hope you enjoy gunning out of it, I sure do. It is very comfortable and hides and tows well. Good luck!!
 
Thanks for the info Christopher. I picked the boat up the other day. It came with a trailer, so I'll try it that way for a while. It is a very comfortable boat!

Thanks again,

Todd
 
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