Blow-Up Pontoon Boat

[CPBassFishing]

I have a very limited budget as a teenager, and i cant spend money for a proper boat. i have been a shore fisherman for 3 years but i want a boat so i can fish on larger lakes. i am looking at this pontoon kayak: http://creekcompany.com/product.php?productid=16323&cat=254&page=1. do you think that would be sufficient for my needs? i only need to carry 3 rods and a somewhat large tackle bag (holds 4 boxes). should i save up for it or something better?

thanks,

Cullen

[B-Dozer]

It's less than $200, if that's what you can spend, than go for it. Kayaks, even used are more expensive. Good luck, use it often

[Gavin]

Should work fine for a small lake or a calm river....Wind will be your enemy in that toon, dont get blown across the lake.

[ClackerBuzz]

Put down the gun and step away from the balloon pontoon slowly.

Just get a regular kayak. This is prime off season to buy a used kayak off craigslist. You can score one in the $200 range no problem. You are too far north to have your feet dangle in cold water every spring and fall. That alone will severely limit time on the water. And you can't paddle that pontoon near as fast as a yak.

Faster paddling=covering more productive water=more hooked fish.

Warmer body temp=longer outings=fish of a lifetime.

Getting off the shore and into the water is amazing. You're going to be in heaven!

[B-Dozer]

I gotta take a road trip to Philly, cuz I ain't EVER seen a used kayak for $200 near me. ;-)

[ClackerBuzz]

I gotta take a road trip to Philly, cuz I ain't EVER seen a used kayak for $200 near me. ;-)

Ha. No Dick's in CT!? I bought 2 NEW at Dicks- $199 and $239.

it goes on sale for $239

http://www.dicksspor...4417832.4417969

these are off ur local CL:

offer this guy $200 b/c thats all its worth. it even comes with a paddle!

http://washingtondc....3430681043.html

and this guy would probably take $100.

http://washingtondc....3464976957.html

4 flush mount rod holder=$25. they fit so snug you don't even need screws. i literally fished the whole summer before getting around to buying screws.

http://www.ebay.com/...=item2ec00dd1e6

2" drill bit for install=$10 (they have it for $7 at homedepot). better yet borrow one from ur family or a neighbor. they are used for drilling a hole in ur door to install a dead bolt or door handle. they cut thru kayak plastic like butter.

http://www.newegg.co..._-pla-_-NA-_-NA

[CPBassFishing]

Put down the gun and step away from the balloon pontoon slowly.

Just get a regular kayak. This is prime off season to buy a used kayak off craigslist. You can score one in the $200 range no problem. You are too far north to have your feet dangle in cold water every spring and fall. That alone will severely limit time on the water. And you can't paddle that pontoon near as fast as a yak.

Faster paddling=covering more productive water=more hooked fish.

Warmer body temp=longer outings=fish of a lifetime.

Getting off the shore and into the water is amazing. You're going to be in heaven!

its got footrests. I'll definitely think about getting a kayak though.

[CPBassFishing]

Ha. No Dick's in CT!? I bought 2 NEW at Dicks- $199 and $239.

it goes on sale for $239

http://www.dicksspor...4417832.4417969

these are off ur local CL:

offer this guy $200 b/c thats all its worth. it even comes with a paddle!

http://washingtondc....3430681043.html

and this guy would probably take $100.

http://washingtondc....3464976957.html

4 flush mount rod holder=$25. they fit so snug you don't even need screws. i literally fished the whole summer before getting around to buying screws.

http://www.ebay.com/...=item2ec00dd1e6

2" drill bit for install=$10 (they have it for $7 at homedepot). better yet borrow one from ur family or a neighbor. they are used for drilling a hole in ur door to install a dead bolt or door handle. they cut thru kayak plastic like butter.

http://www.newegg.co..._-pla-_-NA-_-NA

thanks for all the links! I'll check those out.

[B-Dozer]

STOPPPP!!!!! just locked up my brakes and turning around. Heading to Washington DC. That link for dicks is $300.

[georgeyew]

I am also looking at an inflatable pontoon. I have a kayak, but it is a hassle to transport it with my car. An inflatable that fits in the trunk would be ideal. The most important thing that I am looking for is a durable bladder so that I don't have to worry about sinking into the water

[CPBassFishing]

STOPPPP!!!!! just locked up my brakes and turning around. Heading to Washington DC. That link for dicks is $300.

good kayak?

[B-Dozer]

good kayak?

If you have the extra $100, I would say you are better off w/the kayak. Kayaks are good in windy/cold conditions. Do you have a way to transport it? Another option to go in on something with a brother/father/cousin, etc. I was going by you only had $200. I have waders and fly-fish in the winter, so the cold would not matter to me. Whatever you decide, save some cash for a life-vest. Gear is replaceable.

[flyfisher]

I am also looking at an inflatable pontoon. I have a kayak, but it is a hassle to transport it with my car. An inflatable that fits in the trunk would be ideal. The most important thing that I am looking for is a durable bladder so that I don't have to worry about sinking into the water

If you think a kayak is a hassle then you will hate the inflatable. You have to inflate and deflate each trip and then open it up when you get home to dry it out.

I like pontoon crafts but unless you leave them pretty much inflated all the time they can be a hassle. But nothing handles rivers better once you get the hang of using the oars.

[Fishes in trees]

I've read through this thread several times, now I've got to comment. You're what, 15 years old? My advice would be to save your money. Inflatables are a great option to fish out of. They are a pain when they are your only option.

There is probably some geezer in your neighborhood who goes fishing a lot or who would go fishing more if they had someone to help load/unload the boat, etc. At 15 years old, that is the option I'd be pursuing.

I just turned geezer this year (60+ is officially a geezer). Right now I don't need any help launching/loading the boat and hopefully it will be a long time before I require assistance. When that time comes, I hope someone like that is around, cause I plan on fishing regularly until I stop breathing.

[jignfule]

the most affordable & best all around imo is the sea eagle frameless pontoon...heavy duty pvc coated 1000 denier, welded seams, light and breaks down 100% easily...but you need to have a 55# tm ( why a 55?~ability to buck wind most importantly & to cover water) you can usually pick up used tm's readily on CL then of course an anchor and battery, which i'd buy new there...so your initial cost will be around a grand to have the proper stuff to get on the water with the ability to cover water, deal with wind & chop, stand easily and bass it......these are solid units...

http://www.seaeagle....ntoonBoats.aspx

this is a friend of mine that has one...and ya he tosses it in the back of his hatchback trunk...

DO NOT OVERLOOK this baby. I bought one last year and am so glad I did. I wanted something I could stand up in and yet would fit in the trunk of the car. I would be leary of large bodies of water, like I would be in any pontoon boat, but for smaller lakes, ponds and lazy rivers it has worked out great. I use a 55# tm and it moves nice. It pumps up in like 3-4 minutes with a pump that I hook up to the tm battery. I enjoy fishing a lot more when I'm standing up so my canoe or a Kayak was alway real akward for me. Don't pass it up without doing some research on this check out the website and reviews.

[Sun Fish]

I have a very limited budget as a teenager, and i cant spend money for a proper boat. i have been a shore fisherman for 3 years but i want a boat so i can fish on larger lakes. i am looking at this pontoon kayak: http://creekcompany....&cat=254&page=1. do you think that would be sufficient for my needs? i only need to carry 3 rods and a somewhat large tackle bag (holds 4 boxes). should i save up for it or something better?

thanks,

Cullen

What kind of vehicle do you drive? If it's a tow capable vehicle you can find a used old aluminum on CL if you save a 2 or 3 hundred more.

If you live right off the water you fish and don't have to transport the boat you can easily find a nice aluminum without a trailer or motor for 200-300. I did a quick search in my area and found this 12' Jon with a 44lb trolling motor included for $600.

[rb56]

take a look here...

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogSearch?Ns=NowPrice|0&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&N=670787849&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial

[FD.]

I've read through this thread several times, now I've got to comment. You're what, 15 years old? My advice would be to save your money. Inflatables are a great option to fish out of. They are a pain when they are your only option.

There is probably some geezer in your neighborhood who goes fishing a lot or who would go fishing more if they had someone to help load/unload the boat, etc. At 15 years old, that is the option I'd be pursuing.

I just turned geezer this year (60+ is officially a geezer). Right now I don't need any help launching/loading the boat and hopefully it will be a long time before I require assistance. When that time comes, I hope someone like that is around, cause I plan on fishing regularly until I stop breathing.

ding ding ding ding ding....we have a winner. I'm rapidly approaching geezer and would love to have someone who wanted to fish all of the time and learn something.

Save your money, get on your bike, ride around the local neighborhoods, find the boats that are covered in the back yards, offer to help cleanup the boat and backyard. You will never be without a boat again. And you might learn something fishing with the geezer crowd.

[crossbowhuntingtexas]

I just got a Creek Company Sport XR1.  I cant wait to put it on the water.  Very easy to set up and take down.  Can put a trolling motor on it at some point.

 

I thought about a kayak, but with the medical disabilities that I have,  this was the best for me and the price was fantastic.