[H2O]

I want to buy a new inflatable pontoon boat and I have no experience with them. I live in the middle of nowhere and it is difficult to see them in person. Can anyone provide me recommendations with the following information?

#1. I will use it on lakes only
#2. I am 5'8" & 225 lbs.
#3. I don't plan on using a trolling motor with it
#4. I have a Dodge Dakota mid-size pickup truck to haul it
#5. I have $400 to spend


Thanks for the help.

 

[IveofIone]

I live 200 miles NE of the middle of nowhere and I understand your problem. But I'm guessing there is someone on this board that has a very nice little used boat that they would be willing to sell. If you are not in a hurry you might start making a daily check of the classifieds to see what is available.

Beyond that I would suggest you look at something like a Cabela's catalog just to see what is available in your price range. There are a few boats in that price range that are adequate for stillwater. I'm sure some of the west side guys know of places where 'toons can be had at discount prices and can steer you in the right direction. It sounds like a trip to town is in your future.

Ive

 

[Guest]

Good specs on a P. toon in the watercraft section.

 

[Jason Shutt]

Just PM Mumbles. He'll get the job done for you.

 

[NW Steve]

There might be a decent pontoon boat for $400.I read lots of troubles with less expensive boats when I was looking for mine. I would also look at a quality used pontoon. Also if you are only wanting to use it in lakes, I would suggest looking for a nice used pram. Actually sounds like a good fit for you. You might seek some advice from Ive since he builds his own. It would be worth a trip to the Seattle or Portland area for a good used one.
- outcast, bucks bags, north fork outdoors (scadden), watermaster all make good pontoons, You would need to find a used one for your buget.

 

[tediousthumper]

I'd look for a kickmaster or kick boat rather than a potoon,being that pontoons regulary break,and if you may use it on a river someday(I'm sure the oppurtunity will present itself now that you own a boat)a kickmaster does much better on rivers than potoons that are only rated for 1's and 2's.Kickmasters are lighter and quicker to assemble.You can back pack a kickmaster.I think there's less wind resisent being that your closer to the water also providing a much greater level of stealth.And the'yre lifetime warranty.Thats my vote good luck.

 

[Patagonguy]

I purchased 2 Arrow Backpacker of Classic Accesories, through Cabela's 1 year ago.
Great pontoons. I am happy with them. Is a little shorter than average, 8ft.
Excellent materials, design, etc. Just the oars are a little "cheap" but you can do the job.
To pack them in the backpacks are not a science nor take you a long time. Once you do it twice, you can do it in 15 minutes.
A good idea is to buillt an anchor, just a 8lbs rond or triangle, depending where are you planning to fish.
They were on sale on 2009, I don't know now but the price is lower than the other ones.
Good luck!

 

[Old Man]

I would start by going thru the Cabela's catalog. Look up what you need and then go to each one of the boats manufacturing page or web site and that way you can make up your own mind as to what you need and how much you have to spend.. There are some deals out there and with some you can get stung. All the info you need is on those web sites.

 

[Don Barton]

Here is one good option. Once a year for a month or two during late winter/early spring Costco carries a pontoon boat that is very competatively priced and seems well engineered. I almost bought one several years ago but by the time I decided to buy Costco was sold out.

 

[Kent Lufkin]

Like pretty much everything else in life, build quality and features in pontoon boats vary considerably and are usually proportionate to price. I assume that like most folks here, you aren't interested in spending your hard-earned disposable income on lesser quality gear, especially if after a short time using it, you discover that you should have spent a bit more and bought a boat with better features or build quality.

IMHO, there's a large gap between most new boats in the $350 range and those costing twice as much. (I know you said you had $400 to spend, but buying a new boat means that your purchase will also be subject to our state's nearly 10% sales tax. Walking out the door spending just under $400 means you'll need to buy a $355 boat assuming 10% sales tax. And don't forget about add-ons like fins, anchor, Oar-Rites, boat bags, rod holder, pump, etc. None of those are usually included with a new boat, so you'll need to spend even more before you're ready to fish.

May I suggest that your money will go a lot farther if you look for a pre-owned pontoon boat instead of buying one new off the shelf?

Pontoon boats are regularly offered in both the WFF classifieds as well as on Craigslist. For example, a friend patiently waited to buy his 'toon until he found a used Buck's Bags Southfork on Craigslist. Not only did he buy a $750 msrp boat with stainless steel frame, anchor, fins, pumps (2), Oar Rites and a rod holder, he got the whole package for just $300.

Just sayin' . . .

K

 

[tediousthumper]

if you do go pontoon creek company has their classic on sale for 179 free ship today only.Check it at http://www.creekcompany.com/indivdisplay.php?primaryAutoID=6&Cat=Featured

 

[Guest]

RESEARCH!!

Don't make the STUPID mistake I did. Bought a top of the line (at the time) boat rated for class 3+ rapids, PVC pontoons tough enough to survive being drug over shards of glass for 100 miles, and light enough to pack up Mount Rainer.

None of which are necessary for what I use it for.... fishing.

I just "had to have the best"...what an idiot. If I'm in class three rapids, I'm pray'n not fish'n. :hmmm:

 

[ryfly]

The folding seat on the Creek Company ODC sucks as it is not comfortable over periods longer than an hour. Look for a decent used fish cat or the like.

Ryan aka Ryfly

 

[Old Man]

Don't the cheaper Creek Co. boats only have a nylon covering, Not Like the more expensive ones that have the PVC covering

 

[Rick Sharp]

I don't know a whole lot about the pontoons but decided a couple of summers back that I needed one, don't really know why as I have a drift boat, probably so I could toss it in the back of my truck (Toyota Tacoma) and haul it to the lakes and not have to trailer a boat. So I walked into Costco and lo and behold for 249.99 they had the one pictured below. I read a lot of different opinions on this forum and a few others. It seems a lot of folks didn't really rate it very high but what the hell I gave it a try anyway knowing that Costco will take it back if it doesn't work out. That was two summers ago and for what I've used it for, floating the Yakima River both canyon and lower Yakima, the Clark Fork from St. Regis Mt. down stream a few miles as well as several lakes in the Columbia Basin (Banks, Lenore, Sun Lakes, Dry Falls, etc.) it has served me well. I put a 30# thrust electric motor with a lawn mower battery and it moves me around the lakes just great. I'm 6'1" around 250# and for what you describe I believe something of this nature would serve you well, especially for the price. Look on Costco's website sometimes they list it.

Almost forgot to add besides the motor and battery I bought a swivel seat bracket for 7$ and bolted that on as well.

 

[Jim Wheeler]

I guess I'm the idiot here. Isn't this the group who resoundingly says to support your local fly shop? Why don't you go down and talk to Darc at the Desert Angler in Ephrata for some help? He lives in the middle of nowhere too. Just a thought

 

[Freestone]

Jim, I was going to suggest the same thing. Darc carries both Outcast and Buck's and if he doesn't have what you need in stock, I'm sure he'd be happy to order it. Outcast now makes some cheaper intro pontoons and I'm sure they are better than anything you'd get at Costco, etc. and will be backed by a company that has great service. At the very least, I'm sure Darc will help you understand the differences between all the various pontoon designs and materials and help you figure out what you need. Then, if you really can't afford to buy a quality new pontoon, you'll know what to look for and what to avoid on the used market. And someday when you are in the market for a new pontoon or one of Jim's prams, hopefully you'll buy it from Darc.