New to the forum. Been observing for a while. Finally joined.

First question: anybody have opinions on pontoon boats, i.e., brands, sizes, dealers etc...?

Was thinking of picking one up.

1 man? 2 man? Running rivers? Which rivers (how serious is the water)? Just lakes? Weight limit so you can carry/drag it? Anchor system? Do you need to be able to stand in it? How are you planning on transporting it? Trailer? Back of truck?

You're going to have to get much more specific before you'll get any good recommendations.

My opinion is that they kick ass, that there are a handful of companies out there that make true "white water" pontoon boats, and you shouldn't waste your time with the rest, and if you plan on fishing with a buddy, get at least a 12 footer...if you plan on fishing alone, go with a 10 footer.

Skookum Products
BadAzz Pontoons
WhiteBear Pontoons
FishCraft

Those are a few of the brands I'd look at...anything that costs less than about $1000 is going to be a glorified float tube that will work great in still waters, OK in mellow rivers, and ought not be used on the gnarlier rivers in the PNW.

Fish on...

Todd

Peterman,

Boats are cool. That includes pontoon boats if they're suited to your needs.
Like Kaiser said, it depends on your intended use. You can pick one up from $299 to $2500 and more. Which alternative is right for you depends on where you want to go and what you want to be able to do.

Sg

Right. Good point. Looking for 1-man boat for rivers. Probably won't fish from it much. Would like to be able to carry it, or at least pieces of it (modular would be good). Transportation would be done with either truck or roof rack on car.

Pretty much, just want to cover small to medium water, nothing too technical, and not looking to spend more than about 1K.

Essentially, just want guidance on reputable brands/models.

Thanks.

Not to hijack the thread but we saw four guys on the sky this weekend that came straight from the sportsman show with their new tooners. Thought for sure we were going to have to bail them out. As they would head through a shoot they kept trying to push row away from the bank instead of pointing the bow at the bank and back rowing. They had nice gear though; Levis and cotton sweat shirts keep you dry. Loved the part when we floated by and they were huddled up on the river bank shivering.

Anyway all that to say, learn to row it before you take it out!!!

I've had one for three years. I only use it 3-4 times a year, but I could use it a ton more. I just don't have the time. They are very nice. If you were a complete rookie on the sticks, you could go down the river in these boats without any oars. Might not be the best thing to do, but you can't sink one unless you hit something very sharp. Ive drug mine through blackberries, winched it out of verticle canyons and it is a very good boat. There are definatly better ones than I have. I spent less than $1800 for this one and I'd do it again in a minute.


This is a 14' maxxom with 22" pontoons

Thanks for the input. Very helpful.

I've been cutting my teeth in a drift boat with a friend over the past few months, so I'm learning the ways of river navigation, maneuvering, and protocols.

Anybody know anything about the Dave Scadden boats (Skykomish Sunrise)?

"Anybody know anything about the Dave Scadden boats (Skykomish Sunrise)? "

Personally, I'm not a fan...though they seem to have a pretty good following. My 12 footer is a Skookum Steelheader II Guide Model, and it looks pretty much exactly like Kevin's, only a bit smaller...I had Maxxon tubes with an XStream custom frame on my last boat, and while the Maxxon's are reputedly cheaper Chinese knockoffs of the Skookum or NRS tubes, I honestly couldn't tell the difference...they were perfectly good tubes at a lower cost than the American made ones.

Besides being able to get in and out of the water in places where it is difficult, if not impossible to do it in a drifter, they are awfully fun to fish out of...get real driftboat oars and a real anchor system...I use 9 foot Cataracts, and a full side pull anchor system with a 35# anchor on mine.

If you're looking to get a one man boat, look at the Skookum 10 footers...Dan S. and Tony D. have a couple, perhaps Dan will chime in and let you know more about 'em. A $1000 budget might not get you all the way there at full retail, but they do show up in that range, and cheaper, on CraigsList every once in a while...but if they do, strike fast, as they go really fast on there.

Fish on...

Todd

The problem you'll find is that, as Todd explained, you have two choices: a more expensive pontoon boat that will run nearly anything, or a cheaper pontoon boat that will be OK in most rivers. The problem with the real ones is they will be heavier and bigger... 10 to 12 feet instead of 8 or 9. Steel frame instead of aluminum. You'll quickly realize that you won't want to assemble/disassemble every time you go fishing, you'll want a trailer, and you probably won't want to haul it far by hand without a buddy. You'll also likely need a buddy with a boat for the turn around.

Personally, I'd choose a cheap db over a pontoon boat for most of my fishing but I am starting to love the toon too. Good luck on your hunt.

Nice boat and cool pic, Kevin.

Holy raised pedistal seat, Todd!

Yeah, the pedestal on my last boat was a tall one...all but my tallest buddies looked like little kids in high chairs on that one!

I changed out the pedestal on my current boat with a mid-sizer...now everyone's feet can hit the floor without too much trouble!

Fish on...

Todd

I have a 9 footer from Outcast and it has worked great for me on the Sky, Sauk, Kalama, Satsop, etc. I wouldn't want to run it through anything greater than Class 3, but it's light enough to carry/drag it around almost anything I wouldn't run (and I am a chickebn at heart!). You can't stand up and fish from it like you can the boats from Skookum, but it is a lot less $ and a lot lighter.

Like everyone says, depends on you use, but for me the "midrange" has been fine.

Peterman, I have this same pontoon boat and it is fine for most rivers in our area. Most people that buy pontoons don't use that many times a year. You don't need to drop alot of money for a 10-12 footer, unless you're going to be using it alot. There alot of fun to use. Good luck.....

From what I've seen, if you don't intend to fish out of your boat, then those Outcast boats are a pretty good deal...definitely sturdy enough for moderately bumpy streams, and light enough to carry around easily enough.

Fish on...

Todd

If you are planning to fish rivers, be sure to get a pontoon boat that has an anchor system and go for the sturdiest you can afford.

I only use my 8 foot Creekside for stillwater and carry it in the back of my van partially deflated. I can inflate it with a hand pump in under five minutes.

in the spring and summer I'll use it a couple of times a week on local lakes.

It is supposed to be rated for rivers, but I'll pass unless it is pretty mild.

I had a 9-foot Outcast lite, but at 65 pounds, plus oars and gear, it wasn't nearly as convenient as my smaller boat, but then I'm not into river running.

One thing I did do with the Outcast was secure an aluminum backback frame under the seat on the frame so I could backpack it if I needed to carry it any distance.

My buddy and I traded boats since he didn't think the Creekside was too good an idea for rivers, and I wanted something easier to carry and load for frequent trips on stillwater.

Whatever you get, put in some hours on very easy water rowing before going down the rivers.

And whatever toon you buy, add another $100-$150 for an inflatable PFD.

Be careful anchoring in current. Pontoon boats have no transom or bow, thus very unstable tubes of air on two sides. Most who have been in one that is on anchor know what I'm talking about. Get out of the current as much as possible before you drop hook.

[quote=Todd]"Anybody know anything about the Dave Scadden boats (Skykomish Sunrise)? "

I own a Skykomish Sunrise, and have been very happy with it. Have floated the Bogey and Duc on it, never been on the sticks before and havent had a problem yet. Definately go with a 10 footer for the rivers though.

One of the nice features of this boat is the standing platform. Slides underneath the seat. When you are ready to use it, slide it out, flip over the "leaning bar" and you can stand on it. Very stable, very easy to use.

Nice anchor system as well, through the tubing and off a pully on the back platform. Works quite nicely.
Ben

I did some research a while back. If your tooner has pvc bladders, its recommended that you keep them partially inflated. The material does not like to be folded and will wear out on the fold. Even lying flat on shelf is folding the bladder.

I had been looking/researching for about a year (while saving up some coin) and Todd was very helpful. I would pay attention to what that guy has to say.

I will disagree with Todd on two parts: NRS is made in Mexico not USA and I very much question whether Skookum tubes are made in USA anymore. Other than that, he is spot on.

I settled on 12 foot tubes and a custom frame almost identical to Skookum. With the money I saved, I was able to purchase a trailer so it is ready to go at all times.


Unless you only will use it for tranporting yourself from point A to point B and plan on NEVER fishing out of or from it, a good quality 9 or 10 foot kickaboat (using oars or fins) will probably work fine for you.

Not wanting to speak for Cupo (he has been very helpful too) but he had the bigger one man style and reverted to a lighter weight model because the bigger one was too heavy for his needs. However, I think most guys wind up wanting something bigger, not smaller.

If you want to anchor and fish, (don't anchor in heavy water) make sure you get the higher end models complete with anchor system and floor This type will start at $1,000 and go up from there for a new boat.

The first thing you need to do is decide what you want to do with your boat. Be specific and truthful with yourself. Then decide how you will stow, carry, and transport it. Finally after determining your budget, match up what will fulfill your needs to see if your budget will allow the purchase you want. If not, save your money until you can afford what you need.

In addition to the production boats already mentioned (Skookum and Bad Cat) you may want to look at Great White Hunters, Water Ready, and Andy and Bax. Swiftwater Sports in Shoreline was also pretty helpful.

speaking of trailers....anybody have a good source for a not too terribly expensive trailer (in this case 13' raft)?