Pontoon Boats: Most Bang For The Bucks?

[ceviche]

Me and a friend of mine have been contemplating getting pontoon boats. I'm pretty aware of the advantages, as well as the disadvantages, of getting one, so we all can dispense with that line of discussion. Being the frugal type, I'd like to know which pontoon boats give the most bang for the buck. Here we get technical about the features and such. I've noticed that some have aluminum, versus steel, frames. What about ones with quick release frame parts? Those who are wise to the ways of pontoon boats, pray tell? :dunno

[Kent Lufkin]

I've only owned one - a 9 foot Fish Cat, but I love it, and you will too. Besides keeping your cohones out of the cold weater this time of year, you can move around much more quickly than with a float tube. Cabelas has an 8 foot Fosh Cat on sale in their Bargain Cave for just $299. It's a great first cat for a great price. However, I was just in Outdoor Emporium today and saw a Creek Company 10 footer for $525 that had me drooling. A couple notches up. If I wasn't as happy with my boat, I'd get that one in a heartbeat.


"Some of the best fishing is done not in water but in print." ~ Sparse Grey Hackle

[BOBLAWLESS]

Well, Ceviche, I don't know as I'm wise in the ways of maost anything but I got a Fishcat 8' from Cabelas. And I love that little boat--we've been through some hard times together and have sort of bonded. It cost about $300. Look in their catalog and maybe check out ebay.
Good floatin'
Bob, the Why yes,I was the fat fart in the little boat you saw.:reallymad

[Scott Salzer]

My $.02.
I have used an Xstream for the past few years. While not the standard type pontoon, it is a pontoon. It is packable, inflated or uninflated to lakes like Nunnally or Lenice. It rides lower than many pontoons and I would never take it on a river, which might be one consideration.
I just got an Outcast Pac 800, I know, the money thing comes into play. My feeling was that this pontoon would be great on easy launch lakes and moving water.
I think you have to decide where you intend to use it an how much comfort/durability you want. The price range is huge - get the best that you can afford. How much gear have you bought based on price only to buy a little better in a few years and you still have the less expensive stuff. Seems to me, that you either spend the bucks now or you end up spending more over time.
Just my thoughts, right or wrong - mostly wrong, depending on who you talk to.

MB

[BK]

Click this and talk to Brian. That guy has forgotten more than most people know about toons. www.greatwhitehunters.com seriously, this guy knows his sh%t and can hook you up.

[Jerry Daschofsky]

Really depends on what you really plan to use the boats for. Since you're trying to get a "best bang for the buck", well that really just gets us started. The main thing is do you plan to run rough water with the boat, do you plan to fish from boat (as in stand up, or sit in seat and cast), and do you plan to mostly use boat as transportation or truly a mini driftboat? There are tons of boats out there. I go with the best, only because I beat the crap out of mine (demanding wise, not literally abusing them). But for most, these boats are transportation. Since most boats out on the market are copies, or made in same few plants over in China, you can almost go with your lowest price boats (most fishcats are made in same factories that your waterskeeters, odcs, and the likes are made, if memory serves me). So check around and find the most similar with cheapest tag. Normally those are the lower end ODC's, but you can find the fishcats on sale too. Depends on how long you want to wait. There are a few "generic" brands that come to mind. All come from same factory, just a change in colors of tubes or a change of coating on frame (or change in frame design). Some simply have a different logo on them. You can tell them apart. Hard to figure out originals sometimes, they mask them pretty damned good.

If you need any help sorting what you're looking for, let me know. When I help people out into these boats (have been doing it well over a decade, and have been running them almost 2 decades now), have been pretty spot on getting people into the boats they're looking for. Have sold plenty out of the top notch boats (Skookum for one) and put them into a lower end Leigh (not sure if they're still in business anymore) and Fishcat. Why put someone into too much boat they'll never use? So if you need help, I've run most of the boats out on the market, or at least those that have been out longer then 5 years (have went straight skookum since then except my custom whitewater boats).

[ceviche]

Oops. .:beathead Good point Steeheader69 and Microbrew. One thing I did forget to mention was purpose/use. This one needs to be able to handle something like the Stilly in Summer or the Yakima. I imagine that level of utility will jack up the price, eh?

[luv2fly2]

i have 2 watermasters and have floated the ronde, yakima, clark fork and missouri. it is now double the price i paid and not much better. abel improved it a bit but not for the price. you are better off to go for a good pontoon boat. i love my watermasters but i just bought a pac 800 from chris. i just rememberedi need to send him a check. mww

[pwoens]

been happy with the bucks southfork...runs the moderate rivers with ease. I am bumping up to either a 9 or 10 footer though just for more stability on the bigger water and more storage room for extended trips. The southfork is a little irritating at times when lake fishing cause there is too much for your line to hang up on, unless you use your apron, which I dont? Its a good all around boat definately and you can pick em up used for 300-400 bucks. The company is excellent to work with also!!!

~Patrick ><>

[Paul Huffman]

Hey 69,

I picked up an ODC 1018 on a not-so-hot ebay deal. It seems like a pretty good boat for bigger water and trips, but the seat seems so cheesy. The seat and back are just nylon fabric stretched between metal tubing. The back tubing seems a little weak, especially at the hinge. I'm afraid that one day I'll grab a big bite with the oar and collapse the back. I wonder if anyone has had any experience trying to fit a molded seat like from a Buck's on their frame.

President-for-Life
Moclips Surf Club
Driven by Irrational Exuberance!

[lastcall]

I would agree that what you plan to use the pontoon boat for is the first consideration. I have a Southfork. I have floated the Skagit and have even had it in the salt. I have also carried it into Squalicum Lake up here in Bellingham. It is a great boat.

However, You should also consider what your size / weight is. I wished that I had a larger boat. I feel that I sit to low in the water and I am limited as to how much equipment I can take with me on longer floats.

I hope that this helps.

Lastcall

[Old Man]

Yes and when you do get one don't try to get by with shorter pontoons. I have a Alpine by Buck's Bag's With 7' pontoons,too short for rivers. But to pricy for a boat for lakes $450.00 new.

Jim

[Curtis]

MajorGreek
I also have a creek company pontoon and luckily enough, there are pre drilled holes on the frame under the stock seat which can hold a swivel seat and bottom. I myself have not done it because I don't use it enough quite yet but it can be done!
Hope that helps ya out.
Curtis

[Bob Triggs]

Personally I like the Outcast line of boats; very good quality frames and the pontoons are first rate. I have seen the Steelheader Pontoons at the shows and liked the way they looked but have never rowed one. I hear good things about them.

[ceviche]

So what I seem to be gathering is that the pontoon boat, at the minimum, should be at least 9 feet long (buoyancy/weight carrying/stability/rapids class issues) and with the hard seats.

Bob Triggs: Of the Outcast boats, what do you think of their Fishcat versus Outcast lines? There is definitely the price difference, but how does that translate when it comes to sturdiness and such? Does the doubling of cost justify the added durability for someone who has no intention of gonzo-ing the whitewater out of habit? :dunno

[Jerry Daschofsky]

but I used to own outcasts before the Steelheaders came out on the market. I had the fishcats (alot older ones with the huge outcast/fishcat round symbol in middle of boat) and the pac series as well. They are decent boats. But, they are different as you step up. They do have heavier handling capacity, though when I owned them they used the same frames. But they have upgraded the frames a bit. Now you have a couple different pac series. The Pac 9000 series is a much better boat, with better tubes. But personally, if I was going to spend the price on that boat, I'd pay a bit more and get a Steelheader (the original 9' Steelheader). Almost same price, and tubes/frame made locally here in Woodinville WA. Like Bob said, looks stronger. And it is. Plus heavier handling capacity (600#'s for the 9' model, 1,000 for the 10'). Plus heavier tubes, about heaviest in the industry (strength, not just weight lol).

I will admit, my little 8' Fishcat I had was a great little boat for just running hole to hole. Never complained about it. For it's purpose, was great. But I was always trying to retrofit it so I could stand up and fish (don't try this at home lol). Great lake boats and for those wanting to just float. I wouldn't turn my back on them at all. Kept one for years while I had my steelheader as a backup/lake boat. Mostly for the fins aspect so I could kick around while fishing since I didn't have a river current pulling me downstream to next fishing hole.

[Bob Triggs]

I think the newer "Pac" models are all much better and more durable, higher capacity etc. But check out Jerry's answer, (steelheader69), because he's right on target.

[Jaybird28]

I just purchased a ODC Sport made by Creekside at GI Joe's last weekend for $249 and proceeded to take it on a ten mile drift down the Green. I got myself in a pretty hairy spot near the logjam and I'm tellin ya, this little boat was a champ. I got stuck on a log (rookie skipper)with a huge sharp branch stabbing the side of it and the river slammin me, and there was no damage ( a hole and I was toast). I ended up having to throw her on my shoulder for a couple hundred yards thru the forest back to them main river and the 50lbs came in pretty handy. Super easy to put together and breakdown. I might be more inclined to fish more lakes next time, but a river like the Green was a blast!!!:beer1

[Scott Salzer]

JB28:

Sorry couldn't let this one go. Although the Green may seem very tame, it is not! There are sweepers, logs and car bodies that can really screw up a float. You are fortunate that we didn't read about this in the "That's to bad category.". You mention rookie mistake, nope, just plain dumb.... I expect to take heat for the last comment, so be it, just want to keep people safe.
Hopefully, you had a life vest on, makes recovery easier....

MB

[FISHFACE]

I have a Water Skeeter rated for class 3 water.
Have taken down the Wenachee from Levenworth to
the county campground.
also use it in Pass lake ect.
The rod holder is not very good.
Pockets are a little small,made new ones and velcroed them on. Anchor system is ok.Seat is great.
All components are quick connect.
Check them out at Oregon fishing .com:thumb

[Wally]

I agree it does depen on what you are planning to use it for. If you are looking for one that is river rated and does great on lakes you should check out water skeeter. If you and a buddy are both getting a boat there newest version of the "River Tamer" has the ability to hook up with another river tamer so one can fish while the other guides down the river.

[Oneweight]

Seems it hasn't been brought up yet but how do you also intend to transport the boat? I have an SUV for my PAC 800 and it goes fine on the top or broken down inside.

Jerry can better attest to this but it is my understanding that the Steelheaders by Skookum are rather large and warrant a trailer of some sort. Please confirm if I'm wrong.

Just thought the transportation thing is another key to remember.

1wt

[luv2fly2]

the watermaster weighs only about 26 lbs. that is about half a pontoon. it also fits in a bag with straps for backpacking. the big disadvantage is it has no anchor system. also if you are oaring into the wind you will get wet. it costs about $1000. i paid $500 about 10 years ago. it is not worth more than 500. abel copied it with one minor change and they want $1200 which compares to paying $695 for a fly rod. hope this helps.

[Jerry Daschofsky]

Ah, no. Only the BIG ones should use a trailer (they have 14' steelheaders). But the 9' boats are same size/width as outcasts and the likes. But, all of these boats can be broke down and put into back of a vehicle (my old steelheader fit in the trunk of my old Mercury Comet taken down lol). What's easy to do if you have a smaller SUV, is to just deflate the tubes still attached. Then pull out when you get to the river and pump up. Only the bigger boats (steelheader II/III which are 12 and 14') need to possibly be trailered. But hey, I put my 16' Aire custom cataraft on the roof of my full sized blazer. lol. I should post pics of it.

[dryflylarry]

I just bought an OUTCAST PAC 900 yesterday from WATERS WEST in Port Angeles. He has a new shop in Gardner (25 miles from the Hood Canal Bridge). Sale for $899.00!!!! Last years model I believe. 1300 Denier.

[ral]

I will share my experience. I have a boat with 8 ft pontoons and have used it on the Sky, the Skagit, the Yakima, other rivers and many lakes. I would advise against 7 ft pontoons for rivers. A prime consideration is how will you transport & store it? Mine fits INSIDE my Explorer SUV with the rear seat down and some air let out of the tubes. Very convenient being inside for both security and avoiding lifting it on top. I worried about the ability to take it apart quickly since it uses nuts and bolts and no quick release. I doubt I take it apart twice a year and then only we we want to put three boats into the back of the Explorer. Since I never take it apart storage is easy: it hangs on a couple of 2x4s sticking out of the garage wall. Just lift it off the wall and slide it into the back of the SUV.

[Jerry Daschofsky]

I will add this since Ral brought it up. If you have a take down frame, you would be best advised to take it apart a few times a year and treat the seams with bag balm or similar type solvent. Especially on a steel type frame. If you don't, the time you will want to take your frame apart, it will NOT come apart. I think I took mine apart at least 7 times a year and rewaxed up the connecting pieces. If by chance you have a boat that uses bolts, check and see if you can use quick release tabs to replace them. Like the pins people use on their trailer hitches and the likes. If they work, substitute them. They work great and with the rounded piece that swings around helps lock it down. So no worries about it popping off. But this is ONLY if you have a takedown frame and plan to pull it apart. I've seen guys who have literally WELDED their tubes together on their frames from dirt, grit, and rust on some frames from leaving them put together. Especially wet. Just an FYI for those out there with takedown frames. Even aluminum can do this, so just a warning. That grit can act like cement over time.

[ZugBug]

A couple of guys mentioned the Water Skeeter boats and I'll agree. My buddy has one and it's a pretty nice rig. We have floated the Sky, Yak, Sauk, and the Rhonde with no problems. Cabela's has them on sale right now for a great price if anyone is still in the market.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jhtml?id=0001570315244a&navAction=jump&navCount=2&indexId=cat600428&podId=0001570&catalogCode=OE&parentId=&parentType=&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=search&hasJS=true

[backcast]

I own a pontoon boat made by "Outdoor Engineering" it's called a "Versa Vessel".... I looked at a lot of them before I bought it.. Some I saw were nothing more than a glorified kick boat. I can truley say that it is of the highest quality... I am surprised that they have not become main stream yet....

[Jason]

You are about 4 years behind the times there backcast :thumb:

[Derek Day]

I would keep an eye out for used boats on craigslist. I picked up a used steelheader for $600. And I can transport my steelheader in/on my forester, no trailer needed.

[clarkbre]

I would keep an eye out for used boats on craigslist. I picked up a used steelheader for $600. And I can transport my steelheader in/on my forester, no trailer needed.

I'll 2nd that idea about Craigslist. I just picked up an 8' Bear (about 5 years old) for about $100. It came with a duffle bag and an aftermarket pump. I figure for the money I can't go wrong. It's just too bad the weather's so cold. I wanna get it out on the lake.

My big question is, do any of you guys tie them down to your Yakima roof racks? I've got a Subaru sedan and I'd really rather not take down/set up every time I go out.

[Salmo_g]

Clarkbre,

I don't, but I've seen 'toons lashed to the roofs of many cars, trucks, and even a rag-top Jeep. Shouldn't be a problem, but the wind drag will take your fuel mileage down a scoosh.

Sg

[clarkbre]

Clarkbre,

I don't, but I've seen 'toons lashed to the roofs of many cars, trucks, and even a rag-top Jeep. Shouldn't be a problem, but the wind drag will take your fuel mileage down a scoosh.

Sg

I figured that much about the gas mileage. I think my only other options would be to purchase a small utility trailer. As I'm trying to do this on a budget I think the trailer can wait. I was very impressed to see how small the pontoons pack down. i can always just strap the frame on the rack and put the pontoons in the trunk for a long haul.

[backcast]

Your right as when I bought mine there wasn't much out there.... Acually I would love to sell it as we do more fishing out of fishing kayak now.... now I I can paddle back up steam to get back to the ones I passed over....

[MasterAnglerTaylor]

I strap my 9' creek company classic to top of my focus hatchback....inflated. It works. I wouldnt go more then like 20 miles with it like that. Went to eastern washington and just strapped 2 pontoon frames on top of car ( with little padding on contact points of frame and car). Didnt move even at 100. Just folded pontoons and put in car.

[Tony Mull]

i strap mine on top of the tacoma all the time. best to use nylon straps for the front but bungies work fine for the back. Make sure the seat faces to the rear. Haven't even noticed a drag on fuel economy. Never had a strap come lose or break. Make sure to let some air out when traveling though mountain passes. I commonly drive 70-80 mph and I've carried pontoons like this for thousands of miles. I have a Yakima rack on my truck.

[fishfinder]

I cant recommend a boat, but I can tell you what not to get. A couple years ago I bought a TU Colorado 9. I used it for about 5 months before one of the pontoons sprung a leak in the seam. The distributor, Classic Accessories, have replaced the bladders three times and now the new right bladder has sprung a leak in the seam on the first trip out. I am waiting to hear back from Classic Accessories. I have to say they have been very nice, but it is clear to me there must be a problem at the factory.

So I recommend you stay away from this boat.

Mike

[Jerry Daschofsky]

Yes, you can easily strap down your pontoons to the roof. But like someone said, the drag is outrageous. If you have a smaller vehicle, be prepared to lose some MPG, and will feel your vehicle being pulled a bit. But if you're already towing a travel trailer behind you, this is an awesome way to go (and you don't need a trailer). And yes, you can put a bigger toon on the top. Take a look at this.
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n49/Steelheader69/blazercat.jpg
This was my old 16' cataraft. I loaded and unloaded this boat by myself. I don't have the blazer or the boat anymore. But this was a combo I used when I would bring my old travel trailer with me. Worked like a charm. BUT, when I'd do my long distance driving, I'd deflate tubes and put in the back of the blazer or in the trailer. No drag with just the frame up there. But when I got to where I wanted to fish. I'd put the boat together and toss on the roof. And, I would do this with my steelheader too. In fact, had a steelheader and an outcast up on top of that roof at the same time. Worked great.

[djzaro]

Go for the longest potoon you can transport. Just a foot matter quite a bit. I have owned several boats and I always get a kick out of how frustrated someone on an 8' gets when he has to work so hard to keep up with a 9'. Just one foot saves you alot of energy rowing the river. My fav is the fish cat 9'. Easy to transport, cheap and will last forever.