Pontoon Boat

[Flysmallie]

Thanks everyone. It looks like I still have quite a decision on my hands. Let's hope I make the right one!

[Wayne SW/MO]

It depends a lot on what you want to do with one. For faster water or if there is a chance of wind, I'd much prefer my kayaks or solo canoe. I have been on a few trips when I was glad I didn't have my pontoon because of the wind.

[mizzouflyfisher]

The wind comment is very true. One day on the bighorn, a wind came up that blew my sunglasses off my face. The wind was blowing directly upstream, pushing me at a pretty good clip in the opposite direction I wanted to go. The next 4 hours were spent rowing my butt off, trying to make it downstream. BUT, that is the only time I have had problems with the wind. I also have a canoe and kayak. The kayak is awesome for moving around, but I absolutely hate fishing out of it, because I have nowhere to store anything, and I find it hard to cast out of.

Mizzouflyfisher

[KRflyfisher]

I have been looking at these boats for a while and noticed that many of them have motor mounts on them. Do any of you use the motor mount? Or is rowing the best option?

[mizzouflyfisher]

My dad has a motor mount on his, but he has never used it. He would rather take the dog with him. But, most pontoons suck on lakes, so if you want to do some small pond fishing, a motor would be very helpful. If we are going to fish pond, we usually take the canoe.

Mizzouflyfisher

[Brian K. Shaffer]

The motor mount option is bizarre. It just doesnt make sense. You cannot steer the boat worth a poop because it is mounted in the back. It would more sense to use it up front - but of course, you would chop your feet up.

One time on Taney Chris Henderson has his WaterSkeeter with motor attached. I wanted to make a contest out of who was faster - me rowing and him using the trolling motor. I was lighter, truer (i.e. tracking straighter) and wasnt sitting low in the back due to the weight. It wasnt easy.. but I did go faster than he for a longer distance.

So I think the trolling motor idea is for the birds.

best fishes - Brian

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've been down that upriver wind thing, It happened a couple of times to me on canyon rivers and it definably could take the fun out of a trip.

I've never tried flyfishing out the yak, but I agree it doesn't strike me as something to do.

[streamsideJeff]

I have been looking for a while and stumbled on a boat that you might want to check out. It is only sold at K&K in kansas . Its called the Outcast Odyssey. I was in ST. Louis last weekend and was looking at pontoons and met a guy who had one, he seem to think they were the best. He said the Navy Seals use them and they are rated for class 4 water. I went out to K&K today,they look like a great boat,10 year warranty,check it out if you want to. www.kkflyfisher.com ... The two guys working there each had one and were helpful, they took them out west last year. they knew some fly club members of mine that also had a couple of these that I wasnt aware of. I asked em and they said they had owned several and this was the best one yet. All the people I have talked to that have one love em. good luck