Ok Catarafters, question #1

What's the proper way to store your pontoons when not in use?

Question #2

What's the best pfd you've seen/used that allows freedom to row and cast?

Kyle,
I am low on garage space (is there a such thing as too many toys?). I store my whole raft hanging from the ceiling of the garage by the frame. I like to keep my tubes inflated with just enough air so that they dont have creases (may cause week spots in the future) You want to make sure they are stored out of sunlight as well... UV is a killer on rubber.

Its a pretty cool setup I've made. My raft sits on a wood frame on the rails of the bed of my pickup, with rope and pulleys at 4 corners I just hoist the whole frame, raft, and works up to the ceiling. Add a little air and I'm ready to fish.

As far as a PFD is concerned make sure you have all your winter duds on when you try them out. I haven't forked out the money for a spendy pfd, so I just use a sterns I picked up at outdoor emporium... tried them all on and found the one I liked best... It's a little bulky in front but has good range of movement.

check out the NRS website for the best money can by, you know, the true whitewater rafting stuff...

Yup, what he said was right on. Best to keep them semi inflated. I don't always leave them attached. Would hang too low from ceiling. LOL. But I have all my frames hanging from ceiling for my catarafts. Normally I leave tubes semi inflated hanging from ceiling as well. Best to keep out of sun, but I do believe it's Hypalon that's ok with sunlight contact. Doesn't deteriorate the shell.

Onto PFDs. You can do it to ways fitting. Try with all clothes on, or buy for direct fit and buy vests/jackets bigger. Normally, I tear everything else off when rowing anyways. But some of the better vests are the high floatation vests for kayakers. But no support for head. But freedom to row. Lotus Sport has some nice ones (available at NRS). You can try Cascade Outfitters as well, or Clavey. All three are whitewater outfits that I've bought from over the years (and all still in business). You can also go with a standard class III vest by Cabela's. Has a net mesh top and floatation around middle similar to a kayakers. But not as bulky for easy of movement rowing (since kayakers use a different motion then a rower).