well its offical, i have bought a floatation device. and what is it you ask? i ended up buying the creek company u-boat 2000. White elephant(spokane) had one for 85.00. came with fins/pump. I took it out to amber lake today (cheney area) and had some fun. I think i will say raffpaff is right about the whole being warmer thing in a pontoon. I FROZE my a** off today in waders, but after my limbs went numb i couldnt feel the cold anymore so it didnt matter. I dont like fins. definately a learning curve with fins and this boat. it seems to go where the wind wants you to. i also ended up buying my first fly rod/reel so i tested everything out today at the same time. i was so busy getting all flustered maneuvering the boat and trying to learn how to cast with the fly rod i didnt catch anything. thx for the info guys. this u-boat will get me by until i can afford a pontoon.