Combat Chuck

That is what really sparked my interest in them... thought that was really cool.

JTLunker

The inflatable Canoe that I have is pretty sweet for what I like to do. But it does have a few draw backs. I wish I had more cargo room, wish I could stand up, and yes the wind moves you a lot, you get tired after a few miles of paddling,no place for a rod holder, they lose some pressure with changes in the weather, and you have to dry them out or they mold. It also has many advantages. You can fit it in your extra cab and store in your closet, you can check it like luggage and take it one trips, it floats in less than 6 inches of water, you can troll very well with it as slower speeds are better for Trout trolling and Bass, it has a mount for an electric trolling motor, I have a anchor which helps with the wind, they are just a lot of fun. I don't regret buying it because it is so versatile. I take it on the Willamette all the time. The wakes don't make you feel like you will tip. In fact I probably could stand up in it, but haven't wanted to risk the swim. You sit high for a inflatable as it has an inflatable cushion under the seat. If you get it or any other inflatable get a rechargeable electric pump with an Ac adapter. Saves the back a ton a stress before a long paddle. I spent 250 on the boat, 25 on the Paddle( Not a nice one either), 45 on the vest(stern guide vest) , 5 on the whistle, 150 on the fish finder, and 25 for the electric pump (totally worth it). That makes it about $500 bucks. Well I think that should do it, have fun with whatever you decide. If you get any type of inflatable wear a vest bro, you never know what can sink your ship. Good luck!

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JT

FISH ON!!!!

joro79

JT, this just proves that a boat is money hole. I wanted just a simple inflatable and was willing to spend a $100. Than I needed oars, pump, vests. I started thinking about fish finder, trolling motor, but you need battery, and chargers. It never ends

Check this one out:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11091559&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eC at=BC|111|57266&N=4019910&Mo=5&No=5&Nr=P_CatalogNa me:BC&cat=60928&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

JTLunker

I don't have a need for a trolling motor, and my fish finder is a portable and runs on batteries.

__________________
JT

FISH ON!!!!

Combat Chuck

So my thinking has come to this. If I went with a higher end pontoon (example Fish cat IR9 $450-550) I would want to dump too much money into it... trolling motor etc. At that point I could pick up a little aluminum boat with a trolling motor for that cost and would have a much more solid investment, just not quite so portable. So I'm favoring a little boat or a cheaper pontoon. Not junk, and not a random brand, just cheaper. Maybe the Creek Company 8' for $180 at joes? Or I could always get the cheap pontoon now and pick up the real boat for next year haha. I just need to think rich thoughts and maybe I will win the lottery. For anyone thats been around pontoons, does this seem like a good idea?

GraphiteZen

I sent you a PM about another thread before I read this but... You can get a "Fishcat" or a "Sportsman's Warehouse" pontoon (both are exactly the same, made in China), for I think around $200-$350. I just bought a fishfinder at Sportsman's Warehouse and while I was there I checked out the pontoons. The prices for a 9' steelframed pontoon have dropped a lot... Exactly like the one I have but much cheaper now.

If you are torn between a $500 dollar aluminum boat and a cheap $200 pontoon (with portability and storage a concern), your best bet would be a better quality pontoon. If you think you can buy a cheaper boat this year and a better one next year why not buy a good pontoon this year and then a motor the next .

About storing a pontoon.. Last year I fished for 2 days on the coast with my Fishcat and stayed in a motel. What I did to store it for the night was deflate both pontoons, roll up all four ends and strap them to the frame and it leaned against the wall nicely between the TV and the door in my dirty little $40 room.

But beware.. Sportsman's Warehouse also had a pontoon that looked pretty sturdy in every place except for the weakest riser I have EVER seen that ended in a plastic (PLASTIC) oarlock I couldn't believe it.

__________________
When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.

Combat Chuck

I took the advise and drove to sportsmans today. I spent at least half an hour looking at them all. What looked best to me was the two Outcasts/fishcat/sportsmans they had. The 8' & 9' for $300 & $400. Finally decided to go with the nine (an almost exact copy of graphitezen's) and they were sold out. Im so disapointed, now that Ive had a taste I cant live without my magic flying carpet!!!!! haha... oh well, keep trying I guess.

GraphiteZen

Hahaha yeah I figured if you took mine out that would pretty much seal the deal for you I'm disappointed they are still $400, I really though the price was lower. Could be that it's a better boat. It might have an aluminum frame instead of steal and that will cut down on the weight a LOT when you have to carry it in and out of your apt. Might have Kevlar pontoons instead of PVC. Whatever the difference, too bad they are sold out. I know the feeling.
I just put a fishfinder on mine and also bought it Sportsman's. After weighing features, reading manuals and asking questions I had finally settled on one and was REALLY excited about what I was getting. Well, of course, sold out. I was actually kinda mad. I went to G.I. Joe's and they didn't sell that model so at that point I was considering lodging a complaint with the management at Sportsman's Warehouse asking that they keep a better eye on what they have in stock and what they don't, and to MAKE SURE the toby tags certain display items that they run out of. But I figured why bother..
Considering the possibility that they may have one more buried somewhere and that would be why it wasn't tagged (or removed), I found the same guy and asked him to go look again. Get this, he wouldn't at first. "Oh I'm SURE we are out of them." I tell him that the other guy said the reason a priced model was taken off the rack was because they had run out, and the one I wanted was still here he replies "Well these are just display models and we don't take them down because we don't sell them." (What??) Says that he doubts they have it because he didn't see ANYTHING marked Seafinder on the shelf (even though there are three different Seafinder models on display ). Finally he goes and looks again and bingo, fish finder! "Oh oops it was buried behind a different model uh yuk yuk." I wanted to bean him with a corkie.
Now, I was charging this on my card because I had closed on my house and was assured the check in two days so I figured what's the difference? Of course, she rings it up and **Insufficient Funds** I think I actually levitated for a second or two So yeah I know how you feel

So it looks like you are definitely going to get one Any date on when they will get some more? I have plotted a couple routes on the Willamette that will take a boater by some sloughs that definitely need to be explored and I will need your help

Oh and don't forget you need a Scotties Rod Holder and Oar Rights. For the rod holder you need to make sure to get the one that mounts to a bar, not the screw in model, and the Oar Rights need to be the right inside diameter.

__________________
When I die, screw some hooks into my spine and head for the deep water.

Combat Chuck

Well this model has a slightly different frame in the back with a motor mount. Its got a rod holder mounted to a bar. I wish the 8' one was just a smaller one but there was many differences. No motor mount, no rod holder, junk for oars and mounts. I did like how outcast was not the most expensive... bucks bags was and I didnt really care for them. Plastic parts, unmovable seats and a very different pontoon cover. I was very rough... kinda wierd.

Combat Chuck

oh... and the 9' also had a cushy seat, and better colors. Green and gray-black instead of blue.