Personal pontoon

#1
WesternNCVol

WesternNCVol

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#1
Anybody have one? I'm looking for a decent one to float a couple rivers. I need something that can handle rough water. I plan to fish from it.

I'm looking at a budget of $400-$700.
 
#3
#3
Buying. I've seen them new for $300ish all the way to $2000 for really high end.

I just missed a nice used one for $350. It was $1800 new, but several years old. It had some life left for the price though.

I need it to withstand scraping over rocks while floating and the frame needs to be able to handle light rapids.

I'm just not sure which inflatable ones can handle that type of abuse.
 
#5
#5
Good question. I think stability while fishing is one reason. One of the areas I plan to fish will require anchoring in the river and fishing from the boat. I want a drift boat, but I go alone mostly and don't need all that boat alone. Personal pontoon seemed like a good compromise.

I have very little experience on a canoe and that was on a lake. I also kayaked on a lake. That was a disaster.
I have a fishing boat for lake fishing and pontoon for beer drinking. Now I need something to float and fly fish.
 
#6
#6
well they make some very stable kayaks that you can set up nicely. It's all personal preference. I just wondered. I've been in the market for a kayak for awhile. Got away with borrowing one all summer.
 
#7
#7
Never heard of a personal pontoon - had too Google it. Interesting. Just be sure to get the orange one...
 
#8
#8
Several companies make an orange one so if I go new that's a done deal.

I guess I will go look at them in person at Basspro and elsewhere to get a feel for the quality.
 
#9
#9
malinoisvol said:
Never heard of a personal pontoon - had too Google it. Interesting. Just be sure to get the orange one...
Click to expand...



Well here's mine... plans are available for $1.00.
dabf171fa51ef994e327aea421d6d8c8.jpg
 
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#10
#10
Upscale model... might be better for you to use... very stable. I know folks that fish out of these in Alaska.

paddle.jpg
 
#12
#12
NEVolfan, I think I have the parts for the homemade one already so I'm a step ahead.

I like thos fishing kayaks but the rivers I plan to float have a fair amount of rough water and I'm not sure how sitting in that thing would work.

I also need to be able to anchor in moving water and cast.
 
#13
#13
WesternNCVol said:
Good question. I think stability while fishing is one reason. One of the areas I plan to fish will require anchoring in the river and fishing from the boat. I want a drift boat, but I go alone mostly and don't need all that boat alone. Personal pontoon seemed like a good compromise.

I have very little experience on a canoe and that was on a lake. I also kayaked on a lake. That was a disaster.
I have a fishing boat for lake fishing and pontoon for beer drinking. Now I need something to float and fly fish.
Click to expand...

Get a Placid boat, stable, good in moderately rough water for something its size, and extremely portable. I fish from mine regularly.
 
#15
#15
If you're planning on going over rocks on occasion a raft is probably your best bet. You can get an insert frame with a fishing seat and they even have motor mounts for them.
 
#21
#21
Here's my ride. Hudson Bay freighter canoe. Been in some rough water with this without much of a problem. Problem came when I tried to beach go to the boat ramp with 3 ft wave crashing in.

Will float in skinny water for sure... good for lakes and rivers.

LakeMcDonald2_8_3_13_450_zps8325929d.jpg
 
#22
#22
My original desire was a canoe but anchoring in moving water on one while fishing seem unstable. Have you done that before? I get mixed reviews on that.

The river I plan to fish is the tuck in WNC. Mostly drift boats and catarafts.

I'm open minded, but there seems to be little info out there on this.

NEVolFan said:
Here's my ride. Hudson Bay freighter canoe. Been in some rough water with this without much of a problem. Problem came when I tried to beach go to the boat ramp with 3 ft wave crashing in.

Will float in skinny water for sure... good for lakes and rivers.

LakeMcDonald2_8_3_13_450_zps8325929d.jpg
Click to expand...
 
#23
#23
I have a new 16ft tri-pontoon (can also be used as kayak with 2 pontoons), aluminum deck, transom for electric motor, breaks down to fit into van, suv or pickup. Has a hull number from TWRA. $1,000
 
#24
#24
Ahhhh so this is like a kayak... I thought you were trying to buy an actual pontoon for that amount lol
 
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