I am thinking of getting a pontoon boat soon. I have a float tube and have found there are times i would like to move a little faster/stay out of cold water. What brands do any of you have experience with and what should i look for???
Do a search and then ask specific questions. Pontoons are brought up monthly. You'll be able to read for a month on all the good info stored there. :thumb:
The first consideration is if you plan to use it on moving water for if it will strictly for lakes. Agree with PT, a lot of inof has been posted in the past.
Dave Scadden Pontoons, he's been in the game since the beginning. They are expensive, I bought an older model no longer in production, brand new, for half the price it would normally cost. They tend to be longer than most pontoons, making them a little faster and more stable. If you plan on floating rivers, make sure it's rated for it! I hear Outcast and Buck's Bags, make great product as well.
You may be interested in a Water Master. Check these out. These can be used both in lakes and in rivers. Gives you many options and I highly recommend them. Purchased one used and have been very happy with the results. :thumb:
Give a good look at a kayak,you are dry,lots of storage,faster than a pontoon boat,and you are going foward.The new boats are very stable and will make you a good fishing platform for the money spent....pontoon boats are good also,but now that I have a kayak would never go back....if you have any questions fell free to ask.....Islandfisherman
I am thinking of getting a pontoon boat soon. I have a float tube and have found there are times i would like to move a little faster/stay out of cold water. What brands do any of you have experience with and what should i look for???
the price range i was thinking is $400-600
i am expecting whatever i buy to be somewhat rugged and last for quite a few years.
so i would probably spend a little more than i usually would (i'm a cheapo accountant).
I'll second the Outcast PAC-800. Great boat, but a little more than what you want to spend. You get what you pay for though. Not too much water I wouldn't feel comfortable on in that thing.
Under 600.00 is undoubtably the Bucks Bags Southfork(Stainless Steel 1" diameter frame,Polyurathane bladders,5 yr warranty)
600-1100.00 is a no contest winner Outcast Pac 800(1 1/4" diameter powder coated alum.frame,polyurathane bladders,internal achor system,10 yr warranty,etc......
1100.00+ is either the Skookumchuck Steelheader(1 1/4" galv steel frame,Top of the line white water pontoons,etc...) or Osprey(1 1/4" alum.frame,Top of the line white water pontoons,etc...) both models are 1400.00 due to rise in cost of metals...
For the type of fishing I do, I opted for the Pac 800. In a couple weeks, I will probably get the Southfork as a second pontoon for come along friends...
Good luck!
PS, if your lucky, you might be able to find a close-out Pac 800 for 600.00 like I did.
Under 600.00 is undoubtably the Bucks Bags Southfork(Stainless Steel 1" diameter frame,Polyurathane bladders,5 yr warranty)
600-1100.00 is a no contest winner Outcast Pac 800(1 1/2" diameter powder coated alum.frame,polyurathane bladders,internal achor system,10 yr warranty,etc......
1100.00+ is either the Skookumchuck Steelheader(1 1/2" galv steel frame,Top of the line white water pontoons,etc...) or Osprey(1 1/2" alum.frame,Top of the line white water pontoons,etc...) both models are 1400.00 due to rise in cost of metals...
For the type of fishing I do, I opted for the Pac 800. In a couple weeks, I will probably get the Southfork as a second pontoon for come along friends...
Good luck!
PS, if your lucky, you might be able to find a close-out Pac 800 for 600.00 like I did.
Puget Sound Fly Co. has a Southfork on sale for a great price. I believe they ordered it, then someone backed out. Anyway, I saw it last week and I remember it being quite a bargain. They are site sponsors. Call them at 253-839-4119
I was just a GI Joes yesterday (GASP), and they had a PAC 800 for $450 with the anchor/motormount setup and flyrod holder. Not sure, but they usually throw in a set of fins to boot. Seemed a good deal to me. I've got 2 Outcast Fishcat 8's right now and am very happy with them. One is setup to the hilt with a Fishingbuddy 1200 and a trolling motor.
Even without these accoutrements, it's still a heavy boat, though, as compared to a Scadden or even a Bucks. :hmmm:
How do those of you who have pontoon boats transport them? Do you inflate/deflate each trip and haul inside your vehicle or leave inflated and tie to top of rig or haul on a trailer or?
I ask because I have a small Achilles LT-2 raft that I've had for 20 years. I thought about getting a pontoon, but besides my raft still being in perfect condition, the pontoon seems like logistical nightmare. My raft rolls into a 30# duffle bag, but I can have it inflated and ready to drift in less than 10 minutes, besides being able to carry it anywhere. My friend brought his pontoon - Outcast 800 I think - on a trip with me, and I was ready to launch 25 minutes before he was.
If I change out or upgrade, I've been thinking a Watermaster might better serve my interest of extreme portability, easy and quick to be ready, even if the payload and speed on the water is less.
I keep mine inflated and put it on the truck that way - just put some tiedown straps across it - no problem. Unfortunately, I foolishly bought a stepside Ranger back in '99, and the boat fits ON the bed rather than in it - won't make that mistake again, when I go to replace this truck.
One thing I'm careful of, though, is to let some air out if I'm going over the pass - I fear that the change in altitude could cause the bladder to overstretch the covering and split it.
My buddy has a Ford Exploder, and he deflates his Scadden 8'er about 70% and it slides right into the back with the backseats folded down. We can even fit mine in on top of it if we deflate both down to about 10%.
You're right, though, a pontoon can be a hassle to transport, at times...
I realize that I must have been looking at an Outcast Discovery 8. Two very different boats, I realize. Still, $450 isn't a bad price.
Sorry for the confusion!
Sean
Sultan
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