i fished the bfl as a non boater last year and i used it as a learning experience but i was fortunate enough to have some good draws and even if i did have an ok draw i always learned something new about the lake.... like on dale i found some killer spots for largemouth... i learned how to sightfish 10 times better on laurel.... barren i learned that even though u went to the lake in a wraped truck and a wrapped z boat u arent guaranteed anything...... and on cland i learned the fog really can freeze and no matter if the water is colored and cold ky bass will still bite a shaky head..... its a personal decision if u wanna fish the bfl as a non boater.... there is alot u can gain and learn and most of the guys fishing are good fishermen that may be able to teach u a tactic that u never knew about or didnt know alot about.....so the decisions up to you if i had the extra money i wouldnt mind doing it again this year....