Pontoon boats

[Orthoman]

Does anyone on FAOL have any experience with Dave Scadden's brand of pontoon boats. After falling out of my pram - and the pram sinking - last spring, I am thinking about another option , i.e. something that doesn't sink and something I can climb back onto or into.

I will be checking them out at the fly fishing show in 3 weeks.

[ducksterman]

Good quality

Innovative

Expensive

[Orthoman]

A little expensive is ok -- beats drowning on East Lake

[DarrinG]

I have floated/fished from a NFO boat for about 2 years, maybe a little longer. I have the Skykomish Sunrise and I like it. Very well made boat. The frame is top-shelf. I do however, overall, like my Outcast boat better.

[ducksterman]

Orthoman,

It probably isn't what you have in mind but I use the NFO Navigator II and it is perfect for my needs...float tubing with a motor.

FlyGoddess uses their stuff including the Nav II and if she sees this thread I'm sure she will have something to contribute.

Late edit: I don't see the Nav II in their catalog anymore.........

[Orthoman]

NFO??? What is NFO? I have an outcast fat cat float tube but wanted something bigger.

[ducksterman]

That's what they call themselves ...North Fork Outdoors.....

Here's the website...lots of info...

Incidently , when you see them at shows they have show special prices...

http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/homepagedirectory.html

[Orthoman]

Thanks -- I wasn't getting the NFO at all. Thanks for the response.

[jimsnarocks]

undoubtedly Dave Scadden's boats are about the best, and highest dollar on the market. After a year of searching and bidding on ebay, being outbid and starting over I "settled" for a Creek Company ODC Sport in a nine foot. I love it. It's easy to handle, easy to transport and a blast to fish from. I started out with a belly boat, then a u boat then a fat cat and now the 'toon. I can use it with just hippers instead of chest waders. It's east to get in and out of and has plenty of room for an ice chest or anything else I might need. Don't forget your PFD when you are in any type of inflatable. Jim

[fcch]

A fellow guide here used a McKenzie drifter all last year (the H2 X2 which seats 2 including 1 rower) and I tried it out. It convinced me and I ordered a H2 X3 14'9" for this season. (seats 3 including 1 rower)
I like this series over the ST for the bladderless "zodiac" quality pontoons.(instead of bladdered ones)

The pontoons seem to be on back order so Dave is probably going to lay out the boat with the newer Outlaw Outfitter floats with the McKenzie package!

Mine is to replace a canoe I lost a while back. I'm too old and creaky to use a canoe. At 100 lbs, the boat can be easily moved from the pull out to the beach and we have a couple places here where I can back right down to the water.

Stable!!!

If you've ever rowed (oared??) a drift boat you can easily adapt to a pontoon boat.

Good luck !!