FlyFishinFool Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 I have looked at pond boats, jon boats, kayaks, canoes and pontoons, looking for a solo fishing craft. I am 6'4" and weigh 250lb. With a bad back I am looking for a craft that weighs as little as possible to transport from truck to the water, and/or portage. With very bad knees, I am looking for a craft that will let me sit upright and stretch my legs, but still has back support. So after a lot of research, I think one of the frameless pontoons will best meet my needs, like the NFO Renegade or Rampage. Does anyone have personal experience with either of these frameless inflatibles? Specifically the NFO Outlaw Renegade or Rampage? * ´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> `•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((º> .¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> I look in my fly box and think about what should guide my choice of the best fly: the amount/angle of sun on the water, the water temp & clarity, what bugs are hatching, what the fish might be eating, and what worked last time. Then I remember what an old man told me... " Ninety percent of what a trout eats is brown, fuzzy, about 1/2 inch long and underwater."
Members Sunfish45 Posted February 11, 2011 Members Posted February 11, 2011 I rented a framed pontoon boat, for a club trip a year or so back rather than take my kayak. I did not like it in the moving water! It was the same brand boat you are looking at but I found the tracking less than I expected. It was very twitchy (on the oars) in the flat water section we floated. I am sure it would get better with experience,. I would not put my money down without a really good on the water trial. If the vendor will do this great, if not maybe rent what you are thinking about buying....Sunfishh45
FlyFishinFool Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 Were do you want to use it, mostly? Gavin - I would be using it mostly on some private ponds, then a couple of small local lakes, and on one or two small-to-medium streams - basically where you could fish using a canoe. * ´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> `•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((º> .¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> I look in my fly box and think about what should guide my choice of the best fly: the amount/angle of sun on the water, the water temp & clarity, what bugs are hatching, what the fish might be eating, and what worked last time. Then I remember what an old man told me... " Ninety percent of what a trout eats is brown, fuzzy, about 1/2 inch long and underwater."
FlyFishinFool Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 how much are you comfortable lifting? Aftershock - I can lift a fairly heavy amount, but walking for any distance while carrying it is the bigger issue. I was hoping to keep the outfitted weight to 50lbs or so; the lighter the weight the better. The heavier the overall outfitted weight the shorter the time/distance the back and knees will last. * ´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> `•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((º> .¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> I look in my fly box and think about what should guide my choice of the best fly: the amount/angle of sun on the water, the water temp & clarity, what bugs are hatching, what the fish might be eating, and what worked last time. Then I remember what an old man told me... " Ninety percent of what a trout eats is brown, fuzzy, about 1/2 inch long and underwater."
FlyFishinFool Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 I rented a framed pontoon boat, for a club trip a year or so back rather than take my kayak. I did not like it in the moving water! It was the same brand boat you are looking at but I found the tracking less than I expected. It was very twitchy (on the oars) in the flat water section we floated. I am sure it would get better with experience,. I would not put my money down without a really good on the water trial. If the vendor will do this great, if not maybe rent what you are thinking about buying....Sunfishh45 Sunfish - I hear you...IF I can find a place that rents the frameless pontoons I will definitely spend some time fishing out of one to make sure it works for me. I talked to several folks who own, or have used, regular framed dual pontoon boats and they all had comments similar to yours, basically they do not have great tracking. From quite a few of the independent reviews I have read, that is one of the areas where the frameless pontoons are superior to the standard framed dual pontoon boats. If anyone has a NFO Outlaw frameless pontoon (Renegade or Rampage) and would be nice enough to let me try it I would appreciate the opportunity - I'll bring the beer! * ´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> `•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((º> .¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> I look in my fly box and think about what should guide my choice of the best fly: the amount/angle of sun on the water, the water temp & clarity, what bugs are hatching, what the fish might be eating, and what worked last time. Then I remember what an old man told me... " Ninety percent of what a trout eats is brown, fuzzy, about 1/2 inch long and underwater."
gotmuddy Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 What about a kayak or solo canoe and one of those wheeled dollies? Then you would only have to carry half the weight. everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
tjulianc Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 If you have to money to spend a kevlar canoe would be a great option. They are very light (30 lb range for a 13' canoe), and canoes are easier to get in and out of than kayaks. You might look at a Wenonah Fusion or Vagabond.
sean c Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 If I was going to buy another pontoon it would be one of the frameless NFO's(love the weight and compact size for travel). My 9' framed stainless outcast pontoon is close to 70lbs and a real beast to move around. You did mention a bad back and I would think that would be a huge negative with the framelss NFO's the seat doesn't look anywhere near a supportive as a normal framed pontoon or what you could rig up for a canoe. Pontoons are pretty big pains to row in still water I wouldn't make it my main craft unless I was fishing almost exclusively moving water. I would probably go with a light one man canoe or something like a native ultimate 12(great seat).
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now