Questions about Inflatable pontoon boats

[Guest muddy]

How safe and durable are these boat? How hard are the to Inflate? I have been looking for a while at this idea to fish some ponds and stripping pits. This one is going on sale at Cabelas sson and I am thinking   : BAD MONKEY

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat360011_TGP&id=0029147317918a&navCount=2&podId=0029147&parentId=cat360011&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=UH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat360011&hasJS=true

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I'm pretty sure they can be filled with auxiliary devices like a foot pump or a cig lighter air compressor.

[surfer]

Did you Read the reviews on the Page you linked us to?  It doesn't sound like a quality product to me.

[jkniffen]

I had the classic accessories arrow backpacker and loved it.  I was able to inflate it with a cigarette lighter pump while I assembled the rest of the boat.  Total assemble time, with empty pontoons, was about 30-45 minutes.  If you can keep them inflated, alot less time. On the water, they are easy to fish out of and very comfortable.  It takes a little getting used to the oars, but once you figure it out it is great for small ponds.  If you get one, ensure you get an anchor.  Being pushed around in the wind was the only down fall, but a 3lb anchor took care of it.  Enjoy.

Jason

[Guest muddy]

Did you Read the reviews on the Page you linked us to? It doesn't sound like a quality product to me.

I never read reviews from sites trying to seel me a particular product, it is equivilant to a senator saying YOU GOTTA TRUST ME ON THIS

[Tokyo Tony]

Muddy - read those reviews.  I know I will not be getting that model after reading the reviews.  They say the frame is weak, three of the reviews said the frame snapped at the weld, and another said it came with faulty air valve/seam.  

Unless you have evidence that the bait monkey wrote those reviews himself to get you to buy a more expensive one, I'd stay away from that model.

[Guest muddy]

Thanks Tony, I decided a canoe, it will go right in the Pick Up and a lot of Aluminum and Colemans show up in local yard sales 8-)

A few of my friends have more expensive inflatables and have enjoyed several seasons with them I want to get out a lot cheaper so for me a canoe is the way>

[32251]

I bought a Sea Eagle SE8 and a Sea Eagle SE6. Found them used for a very good price. These are the best things I have bought in a long time!! Quality and easy to inflate.

I bought the SE6 for just when I want to go by myself. I can inflate it at the lake or close to the lake and hoist it up on my shoulder and carry it. I have toted that thing up to 50 yards before to lakes with no ramp or car access with no problem. If you are doing small ponds, lakes, strips then you might want to look at these. Takes up to 3hp motor or trolling motor. I was out in my SE6 yesterday with a morning wind advisory of 30mph gusts and all I had to do was toss out a 10lb anchor and was able to fish. Got whipped around but it was not dangerous at all. When you go inflatable you learn real fast how to be friends with the wind!!

I don't care for the canoe or kayak thing. You can't stand up in them safely and if you want to really to a big hookset you best not lean to far sideways! The Sea Eagle has wooden floors you put in and you can stand up and fish easily.

I saw a fellow fishing one day on Tribble Mill lake in one of those boats you were looking at from Cabelas.  The wind was blowing him around like crazy also the biggest thing I did not like about it was the fact that the water is under you al all times. You try to tie on a lure or do anything with something in your hand and you drop it.....it's gone, same with cell phones, keys etc.  After seeing him in his boat trying to flyfish and spending more time rowing, I knew I did not want one of those.

[Guest muddy]

NOT SO AVID has 2 pontoons  that go on either side of his canoe it's so stable he has a trolling motor on it now.

[Long Mike]

Muddy, I have a SeaEagle 9.  I love it.  It takes me about thirty minutes to get it into the water, including inflation, installation of floor boards and trolling motor.  I inflate it with a Coleman rechargable pump.  It's got four inflatable chambers in it, so unless someone throws a hand greanade into the boat, it's very safe.

I'll make you a deal on it you can't refuse.

[bassrogue]

I have a "Trout Unlimited Colorado". It cost around $300 at the time I got bought it. It weights around 70# with some mods. It doesn't have a standing platform but it is very stable. I can lean over in any direction and lip a fish w/o any worries of tipping. This toon has pretty thick pontoon covers. There are toons with thicker but many are much thinner. It has 2 bladders per pontoon for added safety.

                                                                                                                           

I transport it put together(w/o Batt and TM) and mostly inflated on my cars roof rack. When I unload it I just top off the air, sit the batt in, attach TM, attach oars, and load my gear. This takes around 10-20 min depending on terrain.  If I had to assemble it on site it would take me around 20-30min again depending on terrain. I use a dual action pump and it is very quick and easy to inflate. Don't bother with those cig. lighter pumps they just don't do the job. Good to fill the bladders up quick but not enough pressure to top them off.

At the $300 price point I like mine. Fun to fish from and I can take it to places that you just can't get a boat in. Another advantage is you sit up higher than you would a kayak or canoe(That is unless you have outriggers and can stand up. ;D ) If you have any other questions ask away. Toons are a blast. You can also visit this float tube forum at: http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?category=66; The guys and gals there know alot about these craft and are more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you have.

BR  

[jerbs]

Pontoons are SWEET!!!. I fished out of a canoe for awhile and will tell you a toon is 100 times better.

ODC has a special on one of their toons right now. $199. Never used this one, but I do know ODC has good customer service.

http://www.creekcompany.com/index.php

You can propel yourself with oars( for distance) or fins (for moving around slowly). Beats anchoring up in a canoe anyday.

Out here in CA alot of people are using pontoons. They even have a few toon circuits. http://www.bass-n-tubes.com/

A nice side effect to toons is the good work out too.

[Jimzee]

Muddy, I own four of the ODC pontoons pictured above that jerbs posted. I love them for float trips. They are very stable and extremely comfortable to fish out of. If you decide on a pontoon, stay away from that blue and white model, they are not nearly as big and don't float as high in the water as the ODC. Mine weigh 55 pounds a piece. They also have many upgrades such as tm mounts and rollers to make carrying easier. Here is a couple pics of my brother and my wife during our a float trip down the Greenbrier river to give you an idea how they sit in the water.

Older version of ODC classic

Newer version of ODC sport XL

[Guest muddy]

Thanks Fellas: I am going to pick up my cell phone on the way to work and i will be seeing about Don Long Mikes offer I can't refuse

[mayassa]

I agree with the ODC!

I picked this up for 150 on sale last month with free shipping.

http://www.creekcompany.com/indivdisplay.php?primaryAutoID=6&Cat=SAL

You can add a swivel, riser, seat, trolling motor fish finder...

This is what I picked up for my son for Christmas

You can give them a call they might bring it down to 150 for you shipped on the tubing site a few people called and did get the 150 special.  Business must be slow.

[Korea_Bassin]

I too have the Sea Eagle 9 and have enjoyed it a great deal.  I use it with a 65 lb. thrust trolling motor and it zips around small lakes pretty well.  You definitely need an anchor with it though if you plan to fish in windy conditions.  Before adding my trolling motor, a friend and I were out on a small resovoir one day when the wind kicked up a bit and it blew us to the end of the resovoir.  Try as we might, rowing wouldn't pull us away from the wall we were up against and our launch site was upwind.  Luckily, it was only about 400 yards away.  

If you plan to use it around rocky areas, I suggest always keeping a repair kit with you.  I have punctured mine twice but the repair kits do a great job.  Even with the punctures, it didn't deflate rapidly and I never had to cut an outing short.  The four air compartments are a great idea.

Sea Eagle makes some pontoon boats as well if that is what you have your heart set on and although I have never used one, I would have to say that I have been satisified with the quality of my Sea Eagle raft. I am currently considering upgrading to a "Porta-Bote" though.

[hdbass]

I have one called the colorado and have only had the chance to take it

out once,  but I had a good time----caught about 20 largemouth.  I have a trolling motor now and think it will be even better.