[RobDutk]

Ok so I'm thinking about getting a watercraft to be able to float some local rivers and streams and fly fish them. I don't have enough money for a drift boat or real fishing boat So I started looking at the inflatable pontoons on the market.

2 Questions:

1. What is the benefit/ pro's/ con's of inflatable pontoon vs tube? Would you choose a pontoon over a tube for river fishing? or a Tube over a pontoon and why? (I'm especially curious to hear from people who have tried them both)

2. What should one look for in a inflatable pontoon? They seem to run the gambit from a few hundred dollars to almost $1000. What makes a $1000 inflatable pontoon that much better than a $250.00

Thoughts?

Thanks, Rob

[Frank Whiton]

Hi Rob,

If you want to fish rivers that might have some strong currant you will need a pontoon boat. You have flippers, oars and a good anchor system so you can control your drift and select areas to fish. You can row against a fairly strong wind. With the right model you can negotiate class 3 water with no problem.

A tube is primarily for still water with not too much wind. I have used one in a river but you just don't have the control in currant to fish.

Here is a link to the article about float tubes: Float Tubes - The Good, Bad, and Ugly.

Here is a link to a FAQ about pontoon boats that may be helpful if you consider a pontoon.

Frank

[HuronRiverDan]

Rob,

For rivers, definitely the pontoon. One thing I'll say about pontoons is look at as many different makes and models as you can. If you are looking at the smaller models don't go with anything less then 8 foot. I have a Water Skeeter and love mine.

Dan

[Doubletap]

Ha ha - for a few years after they came out, they were pulling a couple of drowned anglers a year from my "home river" when they tried to fish down it from tubes. Darwanism at work, I guess. The problem is when the current picks up and the flippers catch on a rock - over ya go, and it's virtually impossible to re-right, especially when your head is bouncing over the rocks!

Definitely not the way to go.

I've been fishing from a Outcast Fishcat for about 12 years now (bought one of the very first models) and love it. Its a huge step up from the float tube I used to fish from. I don't live a long way north, but let me tell ya - fishing in the spring water temps is a lot more comfortable when one is sitting clear of the water in a pontoon boat!

For rivers, check the whitewater rating for the rivers you wish to run (pontoons meant for rivers are given a whitewater rating). Pinned frames are a must and the more radical the pontoon rise, fore and aft, the better it will handle drops, chutes, and the choppy stuff. Good strong oars that are pinned into the locks are also a must.

Outcast make some great boats
Outcast Pontoons

I've heard some great things about Scadden boats, too.
Dave Scadden Boats

Good luck and have fun - running whitewater in a pontoon is a rush!

[MTskibum]

I am looking to get a cheaper boat as well, and i started looking at jon boats after i talked to someone on the madison floating it in one.

I know it would limit me some, but how much? I could do class 1 rapids in one i assume, if i get a 14 footer?

I can find them around for 400ish or so, and the one i saw on the madison had 3 people. I was looking at 1400-1800 at pontoon's/framed rafts, but if i could get something that i know would last forever, at 1/3 of the cost, i need to look at it.

[RobDutk]

Originally Posted by MTskibum

I am looking to get a cheaper boat as well, and i started looking at jon boats after i talked to someone on the madison floating it in one.

I know it would limit me some, but how much? I could do class 1 rapids in one i assume, if i get a 14 footer?

I can find them around for 400ish or so, and the one i saw on the madison had 3 people. I was looking at 1400-1800 at pontoon's/framed rafts, but if i could get something that i know would last forever, at 1/3 of the cost, i need to look at it.

Yeah but the problem with a jon boat is that it would not be very good in tight quarters and not very maneuverable esp a 14 foot one. if all you plan on doing is fishing big rivers and lakes then sure but what if you want to go down a tighter river or big creek. Not to mention a Jon boat may require a trailer and much more storage space.

[Doubletap]

I guess I don't know what the Madison looks like, as far as it's riffles and runs go - but you couldn't pay me to run a river of any consequence in a tin still water boat, and never in a Jon boat. Its all good until that bow hits the white water, scoops some green water and its gone - leaving you swimming for the bank with no boat and no gear.

Every boat has a purpose it's designed for and neither of those is swift, moving water.

I see plenty of pontoon boats for under a grand, up here north of the line. How about an Outcast IR 10? I've seen those on fly fishing forums second hand in the $600 - $700 range. Water Skeeter "River Runner" models I've seen second hand in the $400 range.

On the other hand, one might ask themselves what their life is worth and splurge a bit! Everyone's mileage will vary, though.

[Joni]

The difference in price is simple. It will start with PVC/Vinyl bladders or Urethane. Difference? The first stretches, which means effected by altitude and temp changes, won't last as long, heavier, and doesn't support as much weight.
Urethane on the other hand does NOT stretch, is not AS effected by temp and altitude changes, LIGHT! and last a very long time. Urethane will however cost twice as much.
It has to do with how the bladders are made also.
NFO (Scadden) boats are now BLADDERLESS and not effected bu the eliments, PLUS look at the pay load they can handle.
Bucks Bags and NFO and """ONLY!""" the Outcast PAC 1100 and larger (can tell by the price) are all made in the good old USA. (You might want to consider that when you think part of the reason our gas prices are going up so high, is because we are bidding against China). All other Pontoons WILL be PVC bladders and probably from China.
Valves make up a very big part of it also. Halkey Roberts are the best in my opinion.
It has been mention already that a Tube/U-Tube or even a V-Tube are not a good idea for rivers because of the dangling feet thing.
The NFO Freestyle H3 is on exception due to the fact it is 6' long and you can lift your feet up. You can even control it with Kayak paddles.

Please get something trust worthy. Think of it as would you jump from a plane with a parachute bought at a thrift store?

[RobDutk]

Thanks Joni, good info that should help me make up my mind. I will forsure get something good. The St. Joe River here where I live is a very fast deep river so I will make sure I get something trust worthy.

[Frank Whiton]

I am looking to get a cheaper boat as well, and i started looking at jon boats after i talked to someone on the madison floating it in one.

I know it would limit me some, but how much? I could do class 1 rapids in one i assume, if i get a 14 footer?

Hey Skibum,

We used modified Jon boats in Alaska. The were available up to 26' or so. They were equipped with outboard jets and made super jet boats. That is when they had power and were on step. When they lost power they were like a log floating down the river and about as easy to control.

I assume you are thinking about a Jon boat with oars. I can't think of another style of boat that would be worse to row. They have no rocker and they is no way you can spin turn a Jon to back away from an obstruction. Jon boats are not built to ride up over a wave like a canoe. The sides would dig into the wave edge. Dobletap has talked about the water over the front but even more dangerous is getting side-wise and swamping before you could recover. If you hit fast water side-wise it would just be "Slurp" and you are swimming for shore wondering what the hell happened.

Unless you are fishing slow moving rivers with no rapids, a Jon boat is a bad choice.

Frank