Pontoon Boats

[dabalone 0]

I purchased a Water Skeeter pontoon boat last year. I was only able to get it out and use it a couple times because of busy work schedule but it is soooooo much better than the float tube. I got tired of sitting low in the water and getting cold also the float tube tended to give me a sore back after awhile from not being able to move around. Now I sit out of the water in a comfortable seat with support, also can see much better for casting and have room to take more stuff, including food and cold drinks. It is light enough I can handle it myself and you can either row it or use your fins to kick along which is surprisingly easy because the pontoons are a streamlined shape.

 

Anyone else use a pontoon boat and how do you like yours?

 

 

[Guest]

I have the Orvis version of that boat and love it. I keep it in the belly of our 5'er and in about 10 minutes it's ready to roll.

 

It doesn't see as much use as I'd like, but on smaller waters it can't be beat. As a matter of fact, I bought it just for a couple of rivers that get a little crowded around the access areas. Floating through private property is the cat's ass.

[Bamboo 0]

 

Fishing from a pontoon boat is the only way to go. I get to fish water a lot of people never see.

 

I just upgraded to the new Dave Scadden Madison model and can't wait to get it wet! I've also owned and used the Scadden DLS model and Buck's Bag Southfork. I like to float and camp so the extra storage on the new boat was real appealing.

 

Dabalone - you mentioned flippers... When you get comfortable with those, that's all you need for boat control even in white water. Never even have to touch the oars except in the real rough stuff.

 

Bamboo

 

[Frank G. Swarner III 0]

I have 2 Buck's Bags South Fork Pontoon Boats and I love them. I use them for fishing in the ponds and lakes around my local area. There are a lot of other recreational boaters and fisherman in the same lakes and I think that the fish get turned off by all the trolling motors. With fins on you can be a silent predator. So silent that the panfish and small bass come up and hang around the pontoons!!

 

I also use the lowest thrust trolling motor to get me to the far ends of the lake and when I get there I the fins. What a breeze!!!

 

FYI - I think Dave Scadden is the designer of the original Southfork. He had worked for Buck's Bags before starting his own company. You can see the similarities between the South Fork and Scadden's Expediton model. I think the expedition is the right model.

 

Ice is almost off the lakes and ponds. Time get ready for some musky and some good crappie fishin'

 

Fish-N-Chip

[Guest]

I am shopping for one as we speak!!! I will primarly use it for rivers. What is a good length pontoon . I see they come in all shapes and sizes. Im thinking a shorter boat like around 7 ft or so, would be better in smaller waters (PM, Upper Man, S. Branch Ausable) that I plan to fish. Also easier for transporting?

 

What do you guys think of this one

Trout Unlimited Madison float boat

 

Any other tips or advice on purchasing a float boat?

 

Thanks

[Guest]

riverboy,

 

I have the 8' DryFly, I'll be ordering the 10' pontoons for it shortly. I fish a lot of the same waters you listed, IMO, the bigger the 'toons the better. Especially on the bigger rivers.

 

Want to go for a float before you buy? I have an extra boat. Getting our schedules to match up might be a problem though.

 

Mike

 

 

[Bamboo 0]

 

Riverboy-

 

Check the river rating (class of river rapids that can be handled) and the weight capacity that the pontoon boat is rated for and then apply that to your needs. I really like the 9' pontoons as best for my overall use.

 

As for the TU Madison boat, our TU chapter is raffling one off so I have have assembled and disassebled this one more than I want. On the TU Madison, they advertise river rated but it's really only rated for class I - that's not much of a river. Some obeservations...

 

-It's heavy - I think the shipping weigh was 93#'s

-Dual bladders in each pontoon with odd valve system that allows use of standard pump (like at a gas station). You have to screw in place the right adapter for inflating/deflating or capping off. Much more cumbersome than standard Halkey-Roberts type valves. Also, the pontoon covers are not as heavy duty as most boats.

- Oar supports are welded to frame - I would think you have to be real careful when transporting. Plus, your fly line will find this in a hurry.

- After motor mount piece attaches to frame, the rack is BOLTED to both frame and motor mount piece. This means you cannot disassemble the frame for transport without tools.

- The stripping apron is held in place by elastic that slips over what looks to be 3" nails welded to the frame. Just something else to catch your fly line.

 

It looks like this boat has alot of nice features but remember, the more things on your frame, the more places your fly line will have to tangle.

 

Watch Ebay and I expect you will find a much better boat for the money.

 

-Bamboo

 

P.S. - We're selling tickets like crazy - It's a nice boat to look at!

[Bamboo 0]

 

 

One more quick note - all I said above applies to the 'Columbia' model , not the Madison.

 

Bamboo

[dabalone 0]

I have the Water Skeeter, hunter/fisher model, with 8 foot pontoons. It has a rack behind the seat and a cargo bag to fit that is half soft ice chest and half storage. I can take all the gear I need including an anchor, food and adult beverages on ice and it floats me fine. I am about 185 pounds. Have not tried it on a river yet, will do that this year but really like it for the small lakes and ponds I have used it on so far. It comes apart into three pieces with the pulling of two pins, if needed. I like the 8 foot pontoons since I can slide it in the bed of my pick up and close the gate, nice fit!

 

I mostly kick it around with my fins but putting your feet up and out of the water and rowing is a nice change up. One trip the fishing was slowwwwwwww, so I started just dragging a booger around while rowing, I guess rowing the pontoon boat gave that booger just the action those trout wanted to see and I was able to salvage the day with some action. I am on the erratic side when it comes to rowing must of been the key.

 

In hindsight I would get the aluminum instead of the steel frame (weight), the type of water and if you think you need multiple air chambers might be a consideration also.

 

The Water Skeeter boats can be found here

 

 

clicky

[Guest]

Mike

I know all about the dryflys, and yes there are very nice boats and Dave is the greatest and fixing any problems that may occur. But I just cant spend that amount of money on a float boat. I would love to go for a float.

 

After searching Cabela's bargin cave I found a couple more boats. Out of these three which one would you think would be best suitable for the waters metioned above. I know its hard to tell without actually sitting in one. But just looking for opinions. I dont want to spend no more than $300.

 

Fish Cat 8

 

Waterskeeter Pontoon Boat

 

And once again the

Trout Unlimited Madison Pontoon Boat

 

Thanks Guys!!!!

 

[Guest]

On the TU website they have the colorado river, which it looks like succeeded the columbia is 380 bucks

 

John

[Guest]

Well, this is my area of expertise. LOL. Used to run whitewater catarafts professionally with my guide friend (I was cargo hauler for his multiday whitewater trips with clients). So been running them almost 20 years. Bought my first one man little pontoons around 89-90'. Now strictly run either custom made catarafts (which I design and have frames built for me) or I buy Skookum Steelheader catarafts. They are by far the best factory built fishing pontoon type boat on the market. They were even featured in an article in Salmon Trout Steelheader (that's if any of you get the mag). I've been using his boats for about 10 years, and haven't looked back in the other boats. I now have a 10' guide model that would make you drool. Has a 1,000 # carrying capacity, class V rated tubes, strongest built tubes on the market (5500 denier), and has two options for frames. I had an original 9' Steelheader, and ran class V's with it. Wasn't easy, but handled a class V better then my old outcasts handled a class III. But I do have custom built 16' pontoons as well. 3-4 man boats. LOL.

 

Their is a couple models. The Steelheader/Guide model are your heavier duty whitewater grade fishing boats. You can safely stand up and fish. In fact, the Steelheader was the first boat of this caliber on the market. Has a cult following in the NW and has been copied by alot. I know he has some people who have bought up a bunch in the GL's. So keep an eye out for them. The Steelheader/Guide model sits you up and out of the water. So you stay high and dry. The Osprey series is a kickboat on steroids. They are awesome boats. And if you spend the money on Pac series Outcasts, upper end bucks, etc, you'll want to seriously look at Skookum boats. They are near the same price, but much better boats. Say it this way. At the recent sportsman show here in Washington, I watched countless guys who were going to buy the Pac 1000, Bucks Xstreme, and a few other high end boats pay $100 or so more and buy a Skookum Steelheader or Osprey model. Much better built boats. Plus, the heavier weight capacity will make it easier to row. You will draft alot less water since you won't be taxing out the weight capacities, which pushes boat farther into the water. Here's some pictures of the boats.

 

Some of the boats in a line

 

Picture of me running some whitewater in my old 9' Steelheader

 

Close up of 10' guide model, which I have. Friend I know on his.

 

 

Here's a pic of my old 9' steelheader and 16' Aire whitewater boat

 

My 16' with custom fishing frame. Has 2 man setup up front, but seats on a slider track and can be setup for only one in front.

 

If you want to check out the steelheaders, you can see them at Skookum Boats

 

 

[jfink 0]

I have been looking at pontoon boats myself. I like the skookum series steelheader but they are alittle pricey for me. I found one that I think I like the water skeeter rebellion with 8' pontoons and the tubes are 15". Heres the website and i think its a pretty good deal. What do you think? I wanted one that I could have the option of an overnight trip.

 

Water Skeeter

[dabalone 0]

Man, I love that Skookum steelheader and the Osprey, but they are little out of my comfort zone pricewise. Since most of the water I will be going down will also probably have a kid or two floating it in a innertube, I am happy for now with the Water Skeeter I have.

Jfink, I purchased my boat from Oregon Fishing, the link you posted. I have met the owners Tim and Dan Treadway, they are both guides and have been designing the Water Skeeter pontoon boats over the last few years with the flyfisherman in mind for their boats. They are very helpful and I have made further purchases from them over the phone and online, from my experience you can be comfortable doing busness with them. Can't offer much help about that particular boat but if you zero in on one of their boats give them a call and see if they will work a deal for one of their clearance models and either upgrade or save some money.

 

Good luck

 

[Guest]

You sure they're the ones designing them? Thought Bob did it all (owner of waterskeeter). Have a few connections in the pontoon boat world (have a couple sets of skeeter tubes for a friend in fact). Thought Bob ran it all. Tubes are a general design, usually not changed much (since they're made in China in bulk).

 

Yeah, alot of the rivers I run have some tough water. Even the upper end boats have a tendency to buck and rock a bit too much for my taste (as in upper end skeeter, outcast, etc). So either go with Skookums or customs.