Pontoon Boat Questions
- This topic has 15 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated Apr 1, 2008 at 1:08 am by
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I would recommend a roof rack or something simliar to store it in, mine takes up quite a bit of space in the car even when broken down.
I have never owned a pontoon, but when researching how I could better cover more water in similar situations I
As far as I’m concerened the only “Con” to Toons is that they are slow from point A) to point B).
If you have alot of water to cover (not good if a weather system comes in unexpectedly) , or a long “paddle” to get where you want to be then there might be better options.. But those too have their own “cons” from stability to storage etc.As for Storage, my toon…. a 7′ water skeeter is currently in a closet, fits in the trunk of my small car easily, could be roofed assembled on our jeep. Depending on how much of a hurry Im in assembly/Disasembly takes anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. The hotter it is, the slower I go on the dual action pump.
Stability?
Ive spent my life in a canoe and have no fear, none whatsoever of tipping one. Its only happened once in my life.My toon blows my canoe out of the water for stability. Ive done some kayaking and maybe Ive never used the right kayak but again, I cant imagine any yak being anywhere near as stable as a toon. First thing I did when I bought mine was assemble it, throw it in the pool, sit my 7yr old daughter in it and do everything I could think of to knock her out, from full vertical lifts at one end to violent rocking/thrashing…
She thought it was a blast.
So.
If getting from point A to point B is of concern there are better options. If storage, portability, comfort, stability are important its going to be tough, very tough to beat a Toon.ps ‘m thinking of buying a SoT fishyak just for those occassions where I want to cover alot of water or go for a paddle in big water like Lake Ontario.
Pontoons can easily be car-topped. They are extremely stable platforms, not just in the rivers, but also just offshore in the ocean. I’m going to be taking mine to Gulf Shores this summer for some inshore fishing; I’ll post pics when I get back if we can make it work again.
Zach
WANT PORTABLE? http://www.alpackaraft.com
My buddy has this and it is schweet and very portable.
As someone said, the only upside to a yak is speed. That is, until you mount a trolling motor on your ‘toon then all bets are off!I had the JWO that Zach has and used to have to stash it so the boss wouldn’t see it in the company car. The most time spent assembling it was pumping it up. It also car-topped easily as Zach can no doubt attest to.
I’m about to order another ‘toon as the Bucks Bags South Fork I now own just ain’t for me. After selling a good canoe years ago, trying a few ‘yaks and watching my float tubes age in the garage, there is no option for me but another ‘toon.
Since I use them only for fly fishing, I never liked the idea of contantly swapping my fly rod for an oar or paddle as you have to do with a yak or canoe to maintain position. With them you’re at the mercy of wind and current. Also both are not nearly as easy to get in and out of. Ease of entry and exit are good traits if you like stopping to fish runs or holes.Cons of ‘toons
Not fast without a trolling motorPro’s of ‘toons
Light weight
Stores in little space
Hard to capsize
Ease of ingress/egress
Can gain and hold position for hours and mles by using fins
Has dry, stable, and ample storage space including seat back storage, side bags and rear decks
Can store assembled rods easily without as much damage worry
Quick release anchor systems allow rapid deployment and retrieval of anchor
Can simply stand up and fish, sit back down when done, no balancing act involved
Are dry and stable
Can get a casting platform and leaning bar set-up which moves out of the way when not in use
Chicks dig ’em 😉Those Scaddens are what I have my eyes on now! I’m torn between the Skykomish Sunrise and the newly designed Outlaw X5. Whichever I get will have the casting platform and leaning bar.
I looked at the kayaks: SOT and Sit inside. They would be a lot easier to transport and my kids love them. My hangup is losing my lunch, fly rod, net, camera and everything else when it tips over. 😮 They don’t seem to be the stablest platform around. I guess it’s all a trade-off. I saw a couple of kayaks that have the stabilized platform or maybe as my kids say, dad needs trainin wheels for his boat. 😉
Having spent many hours in float tubes and rented pontoons on both lakes and rivers here in the South and out West, I reflect on my decision to get a Kayak last year as one of the best I ever made. For a year, I fished in a Liquid Logic Manta Ray 12 (SOT) in both lakes, open saltwater flats and up to class III white water. Stability was never a problem and the advantages greatly outwiegh any disadvantages. My fishing experiences improved significantly by abandoning my bassboat and fishing from a kayak. Here are my pros and cons
PROS
- Point A to B travel is the fastest possible without a motor. Kayaks beat tubes and toons anytime and moderate wind (up to 15 knts) is not an obstacle.
- Extensive upsteam travel in moderate flows is relatively easy, while nearly impossible with tubes and toons.
- Upstream wadiing with a tethered kayak is much easier that with tubes or toons because they don’t track well
- Kayaks are extremely stealthy and can navigate extremely shallow water. (Tubes can’t) and toons are not as stealthy
- Kayaks will actually hold a lot of gear, whereas tube and toons are more limited.
CONS
- Weight-the average SOT is 60-80 lbs in Poly – There is a solution
- Transportation and Storage – They don’t deflate or fold up — You got to have a roof rack or PU truck bed to transport them
I am so sold on kayaks that I sold my bassboat last month and just upgraded to the Native Ultimate 12 Tegris to solve the weight issue. It will accompany me to Montana this summer for use on the rivers and lakes out there.
Stability: http://www.chesapeake-angler.com/storyoct06-Ultimate12kayak.htm This is not a joke-standing and casting from this kayak is easy.
Weight: Checkout the Native Ultimate 12 Tegris at: http://www.nativewatercraft.com/
Good luck with your decision.
I am so sold on kayaks that I sold my bassboat last month and just upgraded to the Native Ultimate 12 Tegris to solve the weight issue.
Canoe owner/user for 35 years.
Toon owner for 4
Occasional kayak user, future ower.Mike I agree that the stability (or lack thereof) of Kayaks is largely overestimated by people who dont use them but theres no comparing them to toons in that regard. Its not even close.
Im more than comfortable in any personal water craft and while Im seriously consiering adding a yak for those situations where its a better choice than my toon or canoe for photography, the bottom line is.
In my toon I dont sweat bringing thousands of dollars in photo gear with me. I will with a yak. No matter how small te odds and the odds will vary uer to user there remains the possiblity of tipping, spilling (falling off SoT) swamping.Speed.
I doubt a toon with a 35pd thrust trolling motor could be beat me in race in my canoe or yak. Especially if its into the wind. Toons even with trolling motors are painfully slow.
If Im on a lake a storm blows in Id rater be in my canoe. I’ll get to shore faster.Cargo
Yaks can carry a fair bit but not as much as a Canoe, nor as much as a toon.
If Im camping where no portages are envolved Id want the toon first, canoe second. You can load a ton of stuff on toon by using the rear deck and srapping across the toons…bikes etc. Not sure waht the weight ratings are on yaks but my toon is rated for 500 pounds, my canoe 300. Could you put a bike, large tent, large cooler etc on a yak? Doubtfull. a toon you could.Stealth.
Absoluely, quiter and lower profile.Weight.
Depends entirely on models.
My toon weighs 50 to 60 pds.
My canoe weighs 30.
If im going to a back lake where I hike I take the canoe. I can carry it with one hand or resting on my left shoulder, rods and stuff in the right hand.I think depending on the model weight advantages goes to none unless you buy a specially designed, lightweight canoe. All can easily weigh upwards of 60pds.
Hands free control.
Im can hadle my canoe and cover long distances with just on hand. I use it to troll that way. Rod in left hand, paddle in right and keep it straight. But itpales in comparison to the toon if hands free control has any value.When fishing one thing I hate aboutthe canoe is the slightest breeze will chage its facing, which mans putting the rod down, orienting, picking up the rod. Not so the toon, if Im not wearing fins, I just nudge the appropriate oar to spin a few degrees.
Anways.
Long winded way of saying like anything there are trade offs.
Toons largest con is point a to point b movement an its a doozey
However it really is in my expeience the only con and the Pros far, far outweigh it in alot of applicatons..Too each his own.
Ideally we all have understanding wives and at some point acquire one of each to choose from depnding on the many variables that may define which is better suited to the applicaton.I doubt a toon with a 35pd thrust trolling motor could be beat me in race in my canoe or yak. Especially if its into the wind. Toons even with trolling motors are painfully slow.
If Im on a lake a storm blows in Id rater be in my canoe. I’ll get to shore faster.Great evaluation Mr. Bennett!
If I had to argue one point though…
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