Pontoon Boat

[Flysmallie]

I'm seriously considering buying a pontoon boat. I know that several of you either have them or have fished from them. Most of the time would be spent in warm water streams like the James and Buffalo. I would also like to have the option of being able to carry enough gear for an overnight float. Any recommendations on brand or size? Any recommendations to buy or not? I have never been in one but have spent a lot of time in canoes and float tubes.

Thanks Ronnie.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Hello Ronnie -

I have used pontoons now for about 10 years. I bought my first one from Anglers Inn called 'The Expedition' pontoon boat, and in 1996 it was $400. Basically it was an Outcast 800 for about half what they were going for at the time. Aluminum frame, around 40lbs.. 8ft long with 6ft paddles. I had that boat for 4 years and sold it for $400. Yeah.. nice investment. So I replaced it with a Bass Pro 8 footer not long after selling the other. I bought and sold them for as low as $75 from Bass Pro for 3 or 4 years. I even tried the WaterSkeeter boats in just about all models a few years ago with the owners son.

It was in there somewhere where some kind of pontoon boat explosion happened. Everyone started selling them.. they were not so exclusive anymore, but to be honest, I still didnt see a lot of them on the water.

Then fate struck. I stumbled onto a JW Outfitters Renegade in solid yellow. The pontoons themselves are a little thin in the PVC material, but the frame is a much higher quality than I had ever seen, so I bought it. Its 8ft 6in with 7ft oars. This was 4 or 5 years ago.. and it was.. you guessed it.. $400. This boat has a totally different desgin on how it is rowed, and it makes the best sense of all. This frame has the oars mounted up and out.. not in the middle. I will have to get it out of the garage and take some pictures so you understand what I mean.

Anyway, long story short.. I have kept this boat and decided all others pale in comparison to its design.

My advice, do your homework. Look into a used boat.. start out in a lake first, not moving water. Learn the paddling really well before you try Taneycomo or the White in Arkansas. Never go to far from where you put in unless its upstream of the car. Oh - and get some racks if you have an SUV.. best is a pickup truck for transport. Strap her down well.. the worst thing a guy ever wants to see is his WaterSkeeter broken in many pieces like I have seen. ( it wasnt me driving or strapping that boat down, and it wasnt my boat )

I will post more on this thread as soon as I pull the boat out and take some pictures.

screaming reels - Brian

[Danoinark]

I just don't consider a pontoon to be feasible for the Buffalo though. I would have reservations about using one because I don't think they would be condusive to certain shoals and runs that you would encounter..now with that being said, it would probably be ok on the Lower Buffalo say from Rush to Buffalo City....Dano

[ecce38]

I've been using my one-man pontoon boat since '01 and it's great. I highly recommend it. However, there are some things to remember. First, don't be cheap. Be prepared to spend $800-$1200. You always get what you pay for (or so I believe), and the last thing you want is to be in a cheap rig when the water rises or if an unexpected situation occurs. I've seen cheaper boats on the market, but my peace of mind and safety are worth more than $500. Second, if you do buy one, practice fishing out of it in low water conditions first so as to get used to controling the craft and rowing it around the water. Fishing out of a pontoon boat takes some getting used to, so be paitent. Third, make sure your craft has a fly rod holder and anchor system, unless you don't mind dropping that $500 rod to the bottom of the river or getting blown around like a kite on a windy day. You'll thank me later for mentioning these. Finally, I've used my boat on the Beaver, Norfork, White, and Little Red rivers. The White, however, is a special case. Since it has 8 units, be very careful. I would be weary of floating with any more than 4 units running...the current becomes too swift. Check with the locals there to get a better idea of just how fast the current can get. This past summer a friend of mine and I floated/fished Norfork with 2 units. It was the fasted ride of my life! Just know your river conditions and your skills. My boat has put me in some great spots and I've caught lots of fish in it. You won't regret it. Check out (shameless plug coming up) www.blackbearpontoons.com In my opinion, these are the best on the market hands down. They're good people to work with. Quality product. Good luck.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

ecce - which model of black bear is that one you are in ? I have thought about buying thier pontoons to upgrade my boat.. but I gotta pony up some serious jack for those bad boys.

Also check out Dave Scadden boats at North Fork Outdoors. They are very innovative in design and are priced well.

Dave Scadden Boats / North Fork Outdoors PAGE

Brian

[ecce38]

Brian,

When I purchased my boat in '01, they only had pontonns in the 8' and 10' sizes. About a year later the guy who build my boat merged with another company. My point is that now all they build are bigger boats with 10' and 12' pontoons. I haven't seen my particular style of boat on their website since then. I too was thinking about going to a 10' pontoon. But I bet if I called the guy, he could replace the pontoons I have now with the exact same ones. The cost to do so would be about $500. Big bucks I know. The guy who build my boat started out making them exclsively for an Alaskan guide service back in the mid 80's. They are rated for class 3 whitewater as well. No other one-man pontoon boat (as far as I know at any rate) on the market has that high a rating, if any at all. Moreove, the pontoons themselves measure 18" in dia. All others measure only 16". The 10' and 12' pontoons measure 19" in dia. This provides more stability and keeps more of your leg out of the water, thereby staying warmer. I'll check out the out site you posted just to see any new product lines. I've been very happy with mine. Here's a close up pic. -Patrick

[Brian K. Shaffer]

I do like those pontoons on yours.. and I looked into them years ago for replacements for mine. But in the end.. I just stuck it out with mine.. they are flatter and not banana shaped at all.. so the boat tracks better in my opinion.

How do you transport yours ? On top of or inside or in the bed ? I stick mine on top of my truck and fashion it down with only 3 straps.. a system I have worked out that is the cats pajamas! I've got Yakima racks which keep it high off the truck too.

As far as where I go in mine, 95% of the time in Taneycomo night or day. Night fishing out of these is fantastic.. and I have done it many times with just pants on. Of course that is with 0 units in the summer. The anchor system on this boat is great too as it is in the rear.

I put mine in in a few spots.. one being the really old boat that is now the parking lot for outlet # 1. I also put in at the Shep Hills ramp and row up.. but not during the day.. at least not too far. I have been known to put in at Pointe Royale and Fall creek too.

One time, Jeremy Hunt and I did Norfork with 2 units.. and like you said - what a ride! A little too quick for my tastes though.. but still fishably fantastic.

These boats are so much fun.. and it is terribly infectious!

best fishes - Brian

[mizzouflyfisher]

Pontoons are a great way to get away from crowds, especially down at Norfork. Norfork is indeed a quick ride w/ 2 generators. At that point, you just paddle like hell between islands to fish the back sides. I've used the boat out on the Bighorn and Snake. Both of those rivers are mainly fished with guides, so you make your money back pretty quick if you float out there a couple of times. The best thing I have figured out to do, is attach a rod holder to your pontoon, and take 2 rods with you. This works really well on the Norfork. Take your 7/8 with a sink tip and a 5 weight or lighter with a floating tip. This way you can switch easily, plus if they turn water on, you can throw big streamers. Right now I have an outcast with 8 ft. pontoons. Not the highest quality boat, but it was only 300-400. If you're only going to use the boat a couple of times a year, I have a hard time justifying spending a lot more money. Anyway, somewhat long winded. Makes me want to try and sneak away next weekend with the pontoon. There's always hope.

Mizzouflyfisher

[ecce38]

Brian, I've only been to Taney once and I took a look around to see where would be a good place to put in. I just don't know enough about the area. At a later time, please email me and let me know some particular put in and take out points below the dam. I live in Springdale AR, so it's about a 2+ hour drive for me, and any info. would save me a bunch of time when I got there. As far as transporting my boat, I built a special rack for my truck and it sits on it with bunge cords holding it securely on. Never had any problems. Plus, the rest of my gear can be stowed in the bed of the truck below the boat. -Patrick

[mizzouflyfisher]

Patrick-

I've floated from the dam down to Lilley's a few times. My dad and I just park by the hatchery, float down, and then call a cab to take us back up to the rv at the hatchery. I'm sure you can find somebody to drive you back up or shuttle your truck, but calling a cab is pretty easy and only around $15.

Mizzouflyfisher