Looking for a two or three man float boat, probably 12-14 ft. Want to get a high end boat. Any suggestions? Consumers Reports doesn't give rating on most sporting gear.
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Looking for a two or three man float boat, probably 12-14 ft. Want to get a high end boat. Any suggestions? Consumers Reports doesn't give rating on most sporting gear.
What kind of boat? We have the three man North Fork Pontoon at the lodge and it is fantastic. Middle guy (or gal in my case) rows and front and rear have standing platforms. On calm days, I can even use my fins to keep the boat in one spot.
NRSWEB.COM
Mike
Thanks for the start, I'll keep researching. JIM C
Here is the three man we have at the lodge plus another one:
http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2007we ... page7.html
http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2007we ... page8.html
And here is the two man:
http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2007we ... age10.html
http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2007we ... age11.html
Dear litehen,
When you say you want a 2 or 3 man float boat do you want a pontoon or do you want a raft? If you want a raft with a fishing frame you can often get a good deal on a rental boat from a some of the large outfitters.
In addition to what you have already been told about here are couple of websites I have seen over the years that are worth checking out. Some offer rafts, some offer pontoons, and some offer both. All offer high end top quality white water grade gear.
Skookum Boats
http://www.steelheader.com/
Waterready
http://www.waterready.com/products.asp?c=CAT
Clavey River Equipment
http://www.clavey.com/fishing.html
Fishcraft
http://www.fishcraft.com/
Jack's Plastic Welding - you will need a frame
http://www.jpwinc.com/index.php?page=products
The Boat People
http://www.theboatpeople.com/index.html
You can also google, Sotar, Maxxon, Aire, Maravia, etc. Here is a link to dozens of inflatable boat manufacturers. Some don't make river rafts but many of them do.
http://www.boatowners.com/inflatables.htm
Read through these a while and see if you aren't as confused as I am when it comes to selecting an inflatable fishing boat. I'm going to get a boat one of these days, I just not done shopping yet!
Happy hunting!
Best Wishes,
Avalon :D
I have a Scadden McKenzie X2 two man 13 footer. Overall, I really like it. It will carry two, and a lot of gear, very easily. The standing system for the front angler works well and even allows standing and fishing through moderate rapids. It rows easily, and can handle skinny water. It breaks down relatively small as well. (We've had the boat and fishing gear along with 3 people in a Subaru wagon.) For the price, its definately worth a look, I think it's still on sale at www.northforkoutdoors.com as well. Or get a hold of Larry Tullis (I can find his contact if you can't, just let me know...) he works for them and was very willing to let me pick his brain before I bought.
I think if my budget would have been higher, I probably would have gone with a conventional raft with fishing frames, if for no other reasons then a full floor and ability to carry one more person. The Outcast is about the cheapest of that type of craft, but it's still about twice as expensive.
Good luck.
I'll assume, as others have also done, that you are interested in inflatables.Quote:
Originally Posted by Litehen55
Northwest River Supply makes one of the best on the market. Whether you opt for a raft or cataraft, there are a number of variations you can choose from for the materials and frame, and they are built like a tank. (However, heavy as well.)
There are 2 other manufacturers that you may wish to consider. Both are top of the line, and thrive on customizing to meet iindividual needs.
Sotar is one (already mentioned) and the other is Ray Pelland (see his website at:
http://www.cataraft.com/), making a cataraft that he presently calls River King.
I have one of Ray's cats that is about 10 years old, and was made when he was stil living in Sand Point, ID. Mine is 11'3"L, with 19" dia. tubes, an aluminum and cedar frame, and it's as good as the day I bought it, even though I use it at least a couple days a week on western rivers all summer and fall.
Although I often take a second person with me, if I had to do it over I'd opt for something between 12'-14'L, and 20"-22" tubes for 2 anglers. Although it'd be possible, I think 3 anglers on a 14' cataraft would be somewhat cramped (as 2 of us are on my 11' boat).
John