pontoon or tube?

Fishing Paddling
1

If you guys had a budget of around $200 to $250 would you buy a toon or a tube? I want something that I can fit in the trunk of a car along with suitcases and stuff like that. I also have knee problems, which makes me lean toward a toon, but I’m 6’4" and weigh way to close to 300 pounds. I have found a U tube at BassPro that fits the budget good. Also a toon at cabelas, but the reviews on the toon was very mixed. I am also under a terrible time constraint. In about 4 weeks I’ll either have my own ride or be forced to sit between my brother-in-law and father-in-law on a 16’ jon boat drowning crickets:( I use to love to fish like that. But I’m not 5 anymore:rolleyes: Here’s the links to what I have found so far.
thanks in advance,
hNt

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat360009-cat360011_TGP&id=0035752318813a&navCount=4&podId=0035752&parentId=cat360011&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

and

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_104192_175005002_175000000_175005000_175-5-2

2

http://www.creekcompany.com/multidisplay.php?Cat=3

these folks carry the best toons… they have tubes too but a toon is a lot easier… i have the #870… odc toons are good for lakes and rivers but a little heavy… mine weigh 65lbs…

3

Thanks bugman! I really like the looks of the ODC Classic and its even in my budget!!!

http://www.creekcompany.com/indivdisplay.php?primaryAutoID=6&Cat=3

What do you guys think?

thanks in advance
hNt

4

" I want something that I can fit in the trunk of a car along with suitcases and stuff like that."

Have you factored in the metal frame of a pontoon???

5

I found a pontoon on cabela’s website that breaks down into a backpack. I assumed they would all breakdown into something somewhat similar. is this wrong?
thanks,
hNt

6

the odc will fit in the car trunk… frame pins togather and is easily taken apart or put togather… it uses pins with locks on them so they dont come out unless you take them out… my toon is bigger than the classic and will fit in the trunk with 1 large suitcase… took around 8 days from the time i ordered the toon till it got here at my house… the only thing i didnt like was they had everything wraped in bubble wrap… took a while to git all that off…

7

i have a classic accessories fremont that packs away into its own case

http://www.classicaccessories.com/product_detail.aspx?pid=230&cid=3

8

your assumption is correct as they all break down to managable pieces but not all pontoons come with carrying cases.

9

I went through the same buying decision not that long ago. When I was looking at a nice belly boat or a bargain pontoon. I happen to find a new Outcast pontoon at a close out price on Ebay. I picked this up within your budget so shopping around is a good idea, but you have the time restraints to consider.

Bottom line, if you can find one that fits your time and size restrictions definately go for the toon, I think that you will be much happier and more comfortable.

10

I have a pontoon, a round tube, and a FishCat LCS 4. My pontoon weighs about 50 lbs. so if I have to move it very far from my vehicle that’s more of a problem. If I used it a lot I would engineer me a dolly for it. If I have a lot of water to cover on a lake I like it for the speed I get with the oars, most of the lakes I fish are at most a few hundred acres.

Even though everyone says not to use tubes on rivers, the Hooche is slow moving enough there are lot of tubes on it. My choice for the Hooche and lake up to about 35 acres is my FishCat. If I could only keep one floatie, that would be it. It’s within your price range at Cabelas and Bass Pro Shops.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat360010_TGP&id=0052633320290a&navCount=4&podId=0052633&parentId=cat360010&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98421____SearchResults

11

Jason;
I’ll be back from Idaho the 28th. Why don’t you come down and checkout my Creek Company ODC 816. Tear it down and make sure it will fit in your trunk. If it does you can borrow it for your trip.