Paddled around for a while ...

... in a rented row boat the other day. First time rowing in a long time.

Enjoyed the exercise and the scenery at Swift Current Lake at Glacier National Park.

The following five pix form a "panorama" from the shore of the lake.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps1729ee4f.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...psf9ef6bde.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps451eda94.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...psb7304052.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...psc97bcf8b.jpg

If you ever get the chance to go to Glacier, don't pass it up. In fact, do yourself a favor and make it happen. And don't forget your hiking boots.

John

John, Those glaciers really look spectacular! Oh yea, there aren't many showing. I have heard that down the road there won't be many glaciers in Glacier National Park, so your idea of going there to check out the park may not be a bad idea. So, how was the fishing? Larry ---sagefisher---

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the experience the other day gets me thinking about a small, portable watercraft to do some exploring on the water up there.

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Ahem.....................Float Tube :cool:

John,

My 10 ft. Nucanoe Frontier is only 55 lbs., it's more awkward than heavy. With a little redneck engineering I have manufactured two carts, both of which fit nicely in the back of it. I can travel a mile on foot, if necessary towing the boat with equipment in it. I have been carrying it in my extended cab Ford Ranger, about 2 ft. extends beyond the tailgate.

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Originally Posted by JohnScott

Jesse -

Thanks for the reply.

I try to avoid "awkward" especially when it is 55# 10' long and 4' wide. At my height and age, that is a recipe for disaster. If I had a truck, maybe - but no way that kind of water craft is going in or on top of my vehicle.

The NFO Outlaw Assault is the one that I've seen that best fits what I have in mind, that presents the fewest compromises.





John

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Love mine, but there is also the new Predator. Weighs 14 lbs. It is a slick ride.
Assault:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps5e2da49c.jpg

Predator
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps00a1c1ab.jpg

That kind of rig? :confused: Okay. however, it is made from Heart Valve material so supper light. Maybe this one is more to your liking
15 lbs

http://youtu.be/g8Uj3XGZRX4

Can't help you there, I got no idea. I like the Assault a lot, but I also like not having to step out of it and it takes getting use to not fishing with the rod tip in the water.
Great for moving water.

I really believe Scadden is the Mercedes of the inflatable tube / pontoon manufacturers and by comparison they have Mercedes prices, it's pretty hard to get into a new boat for under a grand. Outcast get the runner up prize in my opinion with good boats for under $500 with their Trinity weighing in at 7 lbs. The Fish Cast Deluxe is under 14 lbs. for just the tube. I have a LCS 4 which is around 20 lbs. You are going to need fins and a inflation pump also.

Now look at the Outcast prices for equivalent boats. You are comparing Apples to Oranges. Most Outcast are Asian made and many with vinyl bladders. NFO is USA and no bladders. The reason the Trinity is so light, it is bladderless. The Escape being the smallest offered by NFO is a 6' float tube with oars for under $700.
Now, look at Outcast PACK series as they are closer to the same ball park as NFO...and their prices reflect that.
This is like comparing a moped to a Harley. They will both put the wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth.

He does bend over backwards some times. He quit including the rolling duffle, but he does have them as an accessory at a fee. Ask him about an apron though, they are very nice.

A large Hockey rolling gear bag should work.
I use one for my Fish Cat.
Has pockets for gear as well.

DuFf

Probably the same thing. We go to Yellowstone every year and buy BIG duffles there. It has to be 36" long however. This is thicker material and with the plastic glue ons such as oar locks foot bar holder plus the D rings and handles, it does not fold up that small. You got to remember this boat is 8 feet long, And it is specially hard if it is cold. I suck all the air out of mine, to make it as flat as possible with my LVM pump. Something else to think about.
Now if someone could come out with a Rolling Duffle with larger wheels for ground clearance and no plastic bottom so it could fold up small...I would be all over that.
This is complete Assault with foot bar, seat, sidebags and apron.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...X/IMG_4233.jpg

AND, the XX will also fit into this same bag minus the bags.

Here's one of my rides. My Sevylor Rio. Life is good......:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps8c336e0f.jpg

Here's my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in my Advanced Elements Convertable. (Life vests were removed just for the picture, and replaced immediately afterwards).

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...psc4fa0e3b.jpg

How are they for fishing in the wind?

Well, I haven't been fishing in a hurricane with them (yet...), but I have been out in 15 to 20 mph winds on Carter's Lake (chasing freshwater striped and white bass), and I had no more trouble with them than I would've in any other similarly-shaped boat. I have an anchor, so it's never been a problem. Paddling into the wind is no more difficult than it would be in any other similarly-shaped boat, and maybe a little less, because they weight so much less. Wind resistance is more dependent on how much surface area is exposed to the wind, rather than weight. You have to figure that, while the light-weight inflatable may accelerate a bit faster from wind, a heavier boat will be harder to paddle, so it balances out. Again, top-speed through the water is more a function of shape and length, rather than weight. Weight only really affects acceleration, and momentum.

Another plus is that these have 5 separate compartments, so to completely sink them, you'd almost have to rip them to shreds. If you get a hole or rip, you can still paddle to shore safely (allbeit, a little wetter). You can throw on a patch and be back on the water in 15 minutes or so. Should you actually shred the boat, it's still not dead. You can simply sew up the rips in the cover, buy new bladders, and they'll be almost as good as new.

It probably comes down to just a matter of what you like. I love my inflatables, and will not be selling or trading them. I even sold my Pelican hard-shell a few weeks ago, because I wasn't using it anymore. I paddle a lot more since I've gotten these boats, because they are so much less trouble to transport, launch, and store.

I had a clear-bottomed Dyad Kayak for a while, but I let one of my sons beat me out of it. It was a great boat as well, and my first inflatable. My #2 son uses it in Florida, on the coast.

I can't speak for all inflatables, but you can't hardly go wrong with these two models.

You are right, it is all in what you like. I like inflatables too. But I like fin power. You just have more hands free fishing, anytime.
And you only need hip waders. Three air chambers in the 8' models more in the larger, but the material is several layers including Kevlar. No zippers so no chance of sand getting in. These are a few of my favorite things.;)