Considering purchase of inflatable pontoon boat such as those produced by Creek Co.. Does anyone have tips on what to consider and any personal experiences to relate?
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Considering purchase of inflatable pontoon boat such as those produced by Creek Co.. Does anyone have tips on what to consider and any personal experiences to relate?
I own a 9' pontoon boat that I have used for two seasons, while I am happy with the boat I have learned a few things that might influence my next purchase.
1. I find it's difficult to row and fish at the same time. I catch more fish if I park the boat in a good spot and focus on fishing. As a result I find an anchor useful.
2. The wind and current will spin the boat easily, good flippers really help with keeping the boat pointed while I am casting or trying to play and land a fish while in moving water. Oar rests that allow you to ship the oars quickly are useful,
3. My boat has a lot of rocker (the floats are bannana shaped with a curved bottom) While this is great for riding waves and rough water it does mean the boat sits lower in the water. My friends boat with flat pontoons has a more shallow draft, sometimes he can float though a shallow that where I will drag bottom.
4. Some new models of boats now have a casting platform that allows you to either sit down or stand. The ability to stand fish while anchored would be nice.
5. Some of the less expensive boats I looked at before buying were pretty minimal setups with lower qaulity materials. As my boat gets older I can see the value of the more expensive boats. They are holding up better to wear and tear.
6. Things like fins, spare parts, heavy duty oar locks, rod holders, repair kits, air pumps and a duffel bag all added to the final cost of my boat. My friends more expensive boat had all of these accesories included.
Thanks for the reply. Your comments make sense. What about portability? Do you find the boat easy to transport to and from the water as well as in and out?
I have a Creek Co. ODC 816. It's easy to set up, very stable on the water, and pretty comfortable. Got it at Cabela's on sale for a decent price, too.
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Elliott W.
I tie flies to give the fish something to laugh about.
My 9' boat fits in one large duffel bag, although prefer to use two smaller ones.The frame in one bag and the folded pontoons in another.
A handpump will inflate each pontoon in about 5 min. (but I have 12vlt blower fan, takes about 30 seconds) While shuttling between put-in and take out 2 inflated 9' boats will fit on top of my 4-Runner in a bar rack. I prefer stowing them for long trips however.
When a group of use float I sometimes take my utility trailer, I can fit 4 boats on it easily. On the trailer you can haul the boat fully rigged. This is nice at some busy put-ins.
One nice feature of the small boats is that you don't need much of a landing for put-in. On a recent trip we were able to float right to our hotel and take out on the lawn.
You can carry the boat to camp grounds and put in along a river, or a bridge or even some friendly persons back yard.
golliwogg,
Here is my 2 cents worth. I did a lot of research before purchasing my pontoon boat and purchased a Hobie Cat 75. I watched other fly fishermen on the river in the inflatable pontoons and noticed that you really need to check the air pressure during hot weather to make sure the pressure does not become too great and if it does you must let some air out. After it starts to cool off you need to add air. I noticed that they did not row very easily due to the pontoons being shaped like a bannana and sat lower in the water. When you store one for the off season you must make sure to not get a crease in the air bladder which after storage would possibly leak. You must carry a patching kit with you just in case. The Hobie Cat 75 pontoons are seamless solid polyethylene which require no inflation, the entire rig weighs around 33 pounds, you sit higher in the water, very easy to row even against the current, assembles and dis-assembles easily and fits in the back of my Mazda regular cab truck even with a bed cover on it. It comes with rowing system, seat pad, rod holder and rear cargo rack. It is rated for 350 pounds. The rod holder is junk and I would not recommend using it. I removed the seat pad and installed a swivel seat and I installed an anchor. I really like it a lot and enjoy it. I usually row up stream and check out the holes and the best angle to fish them and around 12 noon I will eat a snack and then float fish my way back to the truck. I do not attempt to row against the really fast streches of water. I usually get out and attach a lead from the Hobie Cat to me and will fish the fast sections going up and then get back on it and keep going. The Hobie Cat 75 will cost around $750 but I think it is well worth it. The above are just my opinions for what they are worth.
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Warren
FYI- I fish from a Hobie Cat 60 most of the time. I'm a fairly small guy and this one works just fine. Weight - 21#'s! I carry it on car top racks. Oars and flippers both, and a 6# anchor will hold anywhere I've ever been. I considered the inflatables, but went with a "throw it on your shoulder and walk it down to the lake".
Donald
I love the Hobie 60 for lake fishing... it's a step up from a float tube and there is no inflating required. I'm 6' and 200+ and find it perfect for a kick lake. For the big lakes it's either a pram or a 10ft pontoon so I can crank on the oars. I would hesitate taking anything less then 10ft on our western rivers.
Ditto to Elliott. I like my ODC 816 and have had no problems with it. I like the older padded seat I have better than the new plastic one they now come with. Its a reasonably priced catamaran.
It is portable enough that I can put it in the trunk of a car when fully disassembled although I usually carry mine in my truck bed partially assembled. Fast set-up and take-down. Comes with a fast two-way pump and patch kit. Aluminum frame. 8'x 4.5' dimensions. Weighs 45lbs. and has a capacity of 375 lbs. Force fins, anchor system, and rod holder come separate. Lifetime warrantee on non-metal parts (this means on the pontoons, seat padding and cargo deck padding). I built and added my own anchor system, rod holder, and added a modified Fishin Buddy fish/depth finder to fit the frame. I don't worry about pressure in the pontoons when it is in the water (cool). The only pressure concerns I would have (these warnings are given) is that I don't leave the pontoons inflated when they are out of the water where the heat can raise the air pressure. I deflate them either partially or fully. No pontoon bladder crease folding warnings of weakening the bladders came with the boat and I have never had such a thing happen as yet (they are under lifetime warrantee anyway).
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The ODC Sport is less expensive and is the same except it has a steel frame, weighs 55lbs., and is yellow.
[url=http://www.creekcompany.com/products/855-a-lr.jpg:28200]http://www.creekcompany.com/products/855-a-lr.jpg[/url:28200]
Whatever kind you get (waterskeeter, fishcat, or other) I know you will like it.
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Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
"Flip a fly"
[This message has been edited by dixieangler (edited 21 February 2005).]
One more thing to consider. A steel frame is heavier and can rust from the inside out. Once you notice it, it's too late. Aluminum is lighter and doesn't rust. Then there is moving water, and that's a whole other story.
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A free gift waits for those who ask.
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Lotech Joe