Well, my signature says it all. I've owned outcasts, I've also used quite a few different brands of pontoon boats. First, you have to decide what you want to use it for. Do you plan to actually fish from it while you drift? Do you plan to stand up while you're anchored or pull off to the bank and fish? Do you plan to drift mild flowing streams/rivers and lakes, or do you plan to run class 4 rivers?

Well, now my input before I hear what you want. I've owned around 5 to 6 cats in the last 10 years. I currently own my 16 ft Aire cataraft and a 9 ft Steelheader. With catarafts you get what you pay for. There is no such thing as "a good deal" with something brand new. When I say good deal I mean a steelheader quality boat for $500. There are some advantages with an Outcast (lighter weight and price) but over all the Steelheader is the better buy. You can anchor up in a heavily moving slot and standup securely and fish. You have a good sturdy boat that was souly designed to fish by a fisherman (Bill Day at Skookum is a good guy and loves what he does). Plus you have an extra sturdy frame that is designed to do some serious whitewatering if need be (the outcast will buckle, there is only two crossbars securing the older outcasts, maybe three now).

I know some will criticize my response as arrogance, but I've had alot of experience with cats. Unless you have to have new, you can find used cats for fairly cheap. I know a guy had a Steelheader on sale here for around $850. I'll say this though, when it comes to hitting hard water, you'll want a steelheader/aire/wing quality craft. Wing is alot more expensive, but worth it (they're a bit out of my range at this time). Good luck, and any questions email me..

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you haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.