New Pontoon Boat... Now what?

[chadk]

My wife and I just ordered a matching pair of Fish Cat IR 9 pontoon boats. (isn't that cute :rofl: )

I plan to use it in the salt a few times per year, lots of lake fishing, and 5 or 6 river trips a year (mainly class II or lower unless I'm with someone more experience).

I noticed that while they are excellent quality boats - they are skimpy on the options... everything is 'ala carte'.

So what are some of the options I should look into upgrading first?

Brass oar locks?

Better oars? Spare oar?

Anchor system? I'm thinking a lead ball and rope tied to the frame will do for now. Not planning to anchor in moving water at this point...

Rod holder?

Saddle bags?

Dry bag?
(kinda obvious that i'll need saddle bags and\or dry bags I guess....)

Patch kit? (is there a certain kind I should get or avoid? Duct tape? ;) )

Wheel system? (I may try to make something)

Motor mount? (I have a motor - I may try to make something)



Anyway - thanks in advance for the tips!

[chadk]

Oh, I should add that I'm especially interested in the thoughts of those who have the same boat or very close. But also interested in just general 'pontoon boat' ideas...

[Jeremy Floyd]

I dont think any extras are really worth paying for on a pontoon. They are merely a casting platform or transportation in my mind and therefore fall into the bare bones category.

On the water that toon is so light that (in my opinion) I dont think you really need bigger or better oars.

I would just run it as is and then you can always get something you are just unable to live without having as an extra later. You may find that you dont need any of them.

My version of a wheel system is grabbing the oars by the tips and dragging it across the beach one handed. If I am not holding something in the other hand I just pick it up.

[Dave Pardo]

the back plate behind the seat is really nice for storage.
Get a good padded seat.
all the other accessories, you can get locally and attach yourself.

my .02 cents worth.

[Chris Scoones]

LVM pump, if you plan to deflate or even partially deflate the toons for travel.

Most pontoon boats have d-rings at both ends of the tubes. Build a rope with your clip preference at both ends. The rope comes in handy with dragging your pontoon over / around obstacles.

I don't like anchors for pontoon boats due to the added weight and that it's just dangerous to use them in moving water. But, some sort of lightweight (alum?) large hook would serve well when "parking" in skinny water, where beaching it isn't an easy option yet you would like to leave it unattended. Something large enough to bite deep so it holds well.

The saddle bags are nice to have.

[gbeeman]

If you’re going to do much in rivers you need good oar locks, I've got the brass ones that Outcast makes on my Buck's. I’d also recommend that you get at least 7’ oars if you don’t all ready have them. The extra length really makes a difference in both rivers and lakes. On lakes you track much better with the longer oars and the extra leverage on rivers can keep you out of trouble. I would also recommend oar-rites. They help keep you squared away.

An anchor system that incorporates a pulley really helps when you’re trying to get that anchor off the bottom and it’s stuck in the weeds or muck.

I usually carry two or three rods and I would definitely recommend rod holders. Scotty makes one for fly rods that I really like.

I’m not sure what type of bladders you have but Outcast makes an excellent patch kit. I would suspect that Fish Cat does too. Make sure that you get a wrench that you can use to remove your valves if you need to.

Have fun,

GBeeman

[Snake]

A rod holder would be my first upgrade, for sure. You can't row and hold onto a rod at the same time.

[chadk]

Thanks for the tips so far. Much appreciated.

I checked the specs again, and apparently it looks like it comes with some kind of anchor system and motor mount if I read the specs page right.

And 7' oars come with it.

And based on the pic - looks like the seats are padded.

They should arrive in a few days :)

[chadk]

I’m not sure what type of bladders you have but Outcast makes an excellent patch kit. I would suspect that Fish Cat does too. Make sure that you get a wrench that you can use to remove your valves if you need to.

Have fun,

GBeeman

Outcast is the maker of Fish Cat. I'll look into that patch kit...

Oh, the bladders are vinyl. Sewn. Covered with 600 PVC Denier top and 900 bottom.

[Snake]

Since you don't seem like a reckless guy, and you didn't mention it, I'm assuming you have good quality PFDs for yourself and the missus.

If not, that would be the very first thing I bought.

[chadk]

Good point. I'll need to get my wife a better vest for sure...

[Jon Borcherding]

Since you don't seem like a reckless guy, and you didn't mention it, I'm assuming you have good quality PFDs for yourself and the missus.

If not, that would be the very first thing I bought.

iagree On that note, I bought a couple of the S.O.S.penders a few months ago and I liked them cuz they're easy to wear, easy to cast with. When the weather got warmer I noticed that they become uncomfortable when wearing with a collarless shirt. The rubberized material in the collar area chafes my neck pretty bad when I'm casting all day. The only remedie I've found is wearing a shirt with a collar. They definitely didn't make these PFDs for a guy with an 18.5" collar. Those of you with skinny necks might fare better.:rofl:

JonB

[Sloan Craven]

I think for some reason, that since you are technically out of the water when riding a pontoon, that you are required by law to have PFDs when on most Washington waters.
I'm certain that you'll never be checked, but? for what its worth.

I would get a rod holder. I always hate trying to tuck my rod somewhere then hope it stays there after some lite rapids.

Dry bags. Cheap and great to have.

One little trick that Steelie Mike taught me is to use some bungee cords to secure a rubbermaid type plastic storage box (the big kind) to the little deck behind the seat. It increases storage on the boat and keeps things dry.

[Gary Thompson]

What about a live well and fish finders, GPS, etc.
Just being a smart ass.
I would think rod holder and patch kit/first aid kit.
Have fun with yer new toy.

[Old Man]

I was wondering why you didn't get them when I was in Washington. Gee whiz, we could of taken them out and I could of shown you some new water. Instead I just gave away my marked up maps. :beathead: :beathead:

Jim

[Itchy Dog]

I don't have a pontoon but I have a Watermeister and the same things apply.
In addition to a good PFD, I'd consider a rod holder and spare oar mandatory.
Stripping apron might not be feasible on a pontoon(?) but it's sure nice on the WM.

[Bob Bartlett]

I've had 8 ft Fish Cat for 7 or 8 years, with majority of use on rivers like Yakima. Do get the brass oarlocks AND Oarrights--they make orienting oars automatic. You're getting an anchor mount, and should consider a small pyramid anchor--10 pounds max. I very much agree you don't want to anchor in current, but I've found the 10 lb pyramid secure to anchor in very mild current just outside or above a drift, etc.--something I couldn't do with lighter weight anchor. You're getting side bags which work great for tackle, x-tra clothes, but you may want to consider Outcast's seat-back "saddle bag" too. I have serious envy fishing with a friend so equipped. It keeps lunch, water, etc. out of the way of the side bags, and seems to work very well. You'll also want a hand pump to go with repair kit. When/if you have leak while on the river, you need pump with you to inflate after repair! All this stuff is available on-line, but a lot of it is also at Outdoor emporium by Safeco field in Seattle, or Swiftwater out in Shoreline. Good Luck!!

[J Nordwell]

good cheap anchor. Beer can with the top cut off and filled with lead works great, I would try to make as much as you can yourself you will enjoy it better. Go out a couple of times and see what would work better for you. Its all a game of inches, in a small boat. Have fun

[nomlasder]

I noticed a lot of the Canadians had small fish finders on thier pontoons, with built in thermometer.

[Omar Quiroga]

What I found to be really helpfull on my toon is the rod holders. The next would be the saddle bags on them. It allows you to keep most of your stuff close by instead of behind you on the platform. Anyways good luck with the toons and maybe we'll have to get out and do some lake fishing.
Omar

[rainbow]

buy a swivil for the seat. you will be glad you did. With a lock for river fishing!.

[djzaro]

I have that boat, great buy!! You said something about the salt, make sure you rinse it good when you are done. When you are ready to put it up for the off season, take it apart and sand the rust, then paint the areas with non rust paint. This boat will last a life time if you take care of it. Oh.... and no replies about the rust, no matter what brand you have you will get rust on the frame at some point, always on the connections.

[ak_powder_monkey]

beer holder :rofl:

[Scott Keith]

Wow... I haven't seen anybody mention this, so I'll say it...

NICE FINS!

If I had a choice I'd rather use my fins then my oars for lake fishing... Cast and move, cast and move...

Scott

[chadk]

Wow... I haven't seen anybody mention this, so I'll say it...

NICE FINS!

If I had a choice I'd rather use my fins then my oars for lake fishing... Cast and move, cast and move...

Scott

Good point. I have some cheapo step in kind for my float tube. That will have to do for now. But I'll upgrade later.

[chadk]

I have that boat, great buy!! You said something about the salt, make sure you rinse it good when you are done. When you are ready to put it up for the off season, take it apart and sand the rust, then paint the areas with non rust paint. This boat will last a life time if you take care of it. Oh.... and no replies about the rust, no matter what brand you have you will get rust on the frame at some point, always on the connections.

End of the season? What does that mean? :confused: There is no end to the season as far as I'm concerned:cool:

But good point about rinsing and watching for rust. I have my black rustoleum (sp) ready to go :)

[chadk]

buy a swivil for the seat. you will be glad you did. With a lock for river fishing!.

Is there a certain kind I need to get for pontoons?

[James Mello]

Chadk, since you do quite a bit of still water, I'd suggest a couple of small anchors. I've seen some spiffy dual anchor setups, but don't remember the brand. One guy I did see had a couple of Scotty pocket pullers strapped to the tubes on diagonal sides and had two small 8lb anchors... Indespensible for chronie fishing! :)

-- Cheers
-- James

[chadk]

I just picked up 2 10lb pyramid anchors (one for each boat).

For still water, I was planning to use the anchor(s) I used in my aluminum boat as secondary anchors- one is a 10lb mushroom, the other is a 20lb swivel type - overkill, but better than nothing.

[chadk]

What I found to be really helpfull on my toon is the rod holders. The next would be the saddle bags on them. It allows you to keep most of your stuff close by instead of behind you on the platform. Anyways good luck with the toons and maybe we'll have to get out and do some lake fishing.
Omar


What sort of rod holders?

I figure for still water, I'll want one for use when trolling (if I'm not using my fins). I think I like the one made by Outcast\Fish Cat that fits onto the frame as opposed to strapping around the pontoon.

But I'll also need something to hold the rods while heading down the river. I have a hard case that fits my rod in 2 peices including the reel. That will keep one safe. But I'll have more than one rod, so I'll need another plan for that (those)...

[rainbow]

I bought mine at new englend marine. Its basictly just a boat seat swivial. get the locking one if you row the river. You'll need new bolts though. when finished grind the exses off.

[RichRede]

I would get a spare oarlock and pins. There has been at least once where one of my fishing mates lost their oarlock in one of their many duffle bags and had to improvise like MacGiver! Of course it showed up when we left, but it made for an interesting day of fishing!

[RichRede]

Buy a spare oarlock and pins. At least once my fishing mates have lost one and had to do a MacGiver! Made for an interesting day. Of course it turned up in one of his many duffle bags when we packed up at the end of the day. Always have some spare parts or your day could be runned!

[chadk]

OK, so I was wrong. Very wrong. It came fully loaded :)

7' oars
brass oar locks, oar stops
anchor system
motor mount
cargo deck
Fish Cat Rod Holder
Padded Folding Seat
Stripping apron
Seat Sling (mesh 'basket' that attaches below the seat)
2 Saddle Bags
Repair Kit


Oh, and since we bought 2 boats, he tossed in 2 pumps. When we made that deal, I figured I'd get the cheapo $20 pump. But he gave us 2 of the $40 double action pumps :)

Now to test it out this weeked...

[Dave Pardo]

for holding your rods on your boat - velcro strips.
there are some at Outdoor Emporium that are about 6 inches long (1.00 ea.). Wrap them around the frame of your boat (where the frame sits on top of the pontoons). Use them to secure your rods against your frame. Works great

[Shane Atwood]

I would suggest that you get a Scotty fly rod holder. They have a couple of different configurations, one to mount to the frame and another to belt around the 'toon. I got mine at Sportco, they had the best selection.

As far as an anchor goes, I would suggest using some log chain. I talked to a guide on the Yak and that is all they use. They don't loose as many anchors with chain because it hardly ever gets wedged on the bottom. I coiled up about 12-15lbs on a stainless hook and it works great in the river and lakes.

Shane