Sorry fishaholic for not responding sooner, I had a glitch with my computer and have had a problem logging on for a bit. I once had the Outcast 8' and there's not alot you can do to improve things with it (besides by a new boat). First, you DO NOT want to try and stand up in one, even in flat, calm, lake water (Outcasts have a rocker hull and are made for maneuverability not stability). You will be hard pressed to keep much control on one except in pretty stale water. I put mine through the Hoh and it was about enough to finish my Outcast days. I have a 9' Steelheader and a 16' Aire Cat and they're the only way to go. Very stable and you can safely load up, anchor, and maneuver through anything you want to run it through (except for certain spots on the Toutle YIKES!!!!!). I'd suggest just using the Outcast like it is w/o any modifications. Run it on slower, slack rivers only (I have over 20 years on the oars and had too much work keeping it tracking on class 2 areas let alone anything major). Take care and tight lines. Listen to Steelheader boy, he'll help you out too.

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