Went to Strawberry from Saturday to this morning to test drive the new rides.
These things are the best of both worlds. A smidge wider than the H3, but 9' long instead of 6'.
You have all the mobility of a tube, but with the features of a toon.
Oars if the legs get too tired, plus the larger storage area in the back has a zipper to put an electric motor on.
I bought the optional shelf for the battery and did a little modifying with the Scotty rod holders and plate holders.
The down side to this tube is, you do have to have the back of the boat in at least 4" of water for the prop, but with motor raised, it will tilt. The other down side is the motor is pulling a larger surface than two pontoons.
Upside, Turn on a dime. When there is wind, this tube/toon tracks as straight as can be. No pulling from the wind what so ever.
And, my rear is dry (just like the H3)
Here is some shots:
With motor
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With oars (and Baxster)
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The transport
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Oh Yeah, SOME OF THE FISH
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[black][size 3]Good report Joni.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]Glad to hear that you like the Nav II, and that it has the features you expected.[/size]
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[size 3]Since first seeing pictures of the Nav II, I have had a question concerning the use of the oars.[/size]
[size 3]What keeps the oars and locks rigid without the craft having a frame?[/size]
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[size 3]A recent visit to the North Fork site, looking at the Nav II, gave me a big shock. Compared to the H3, they are really PROUD of them. Maybe a little to proud to find a large market.[/size]
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[size 3]How was the fishing? what patterns were productive for you and Alan?[/size]
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It was SLOW in the bay. We did okay, but it has been more productive. Nothing under 20" with a couple 24+"
What worked was TYPE VII right on the bottom with a slow steady strip.
The Crayfish and a Black and Red Gartside softhackle, but then today it was a Dennis Brakke Midnight Fire (when all else fails, that fly can shine)
HOT! up there with water temp 57 at 40' and 64 surface.
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Great report and pics, Joni! Glad you like your new toys [cool]
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[cool][#0000ff]Looking good.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Are you training Baxster to use the oars yet? Maybe the trolling motor?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Have you weighed everything when fully loaded, to get a difference between the Nav II and your Cardiac? I am sure there is an appreciable difference.[/#0000ff]
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Great report and pics as usual.l Glad to see the Nav II lived up to what you expected. I still think you need dave to make you a second pocket for the other side for baxter [
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That is funny Majja cause I had some of those little beef sticks in there with ALL my fly boxes and he kept wanting to climb in it. I don't think he was looking for a particular fly if you know what I mean.
I intend to call Dave about another pouch, it would definitly be a plus, although the ONE is huge.
TD, I mounted my sonar off the back corner of the shelf figuring I will always be using the shelf, and found out I can have it about 1" off the HARD ground (so it doesn't get munched) and it is in the water about 3" to 4".....PURFECT!
I also remembering you saying how your pontoon would turn sideways in the wind (mine does to a point) but this thing DOES NOT! You would love this and I gotta let you try it sometime. Imagine what you could do to the back deck!
There was a question about the oars without a frame. When the boat and the seat are properly inflated the tube is quit rigid, plus therre is a bar that connects across the front for you feet.
Tube Dude, I was beginning to understand your dislike with the seat. My back (Kidney area) was killing me out there for 5 hrs. Came in and realized I didn't inflate the seat, specially the back part...DUH! But it wasn't that bad! Anyway, inflated them the next trip out and WOW! It worked. You can't lean back as far with the shelf, but still compfy.
Also, the Cardiac are (with platform, oars) around 65 lbs.to 75lbs. as they sit right now and that is with a padded hard plastic seat. The Navigator with platform, oars, around 35lbs. That is not including all the gear like tackle, that is naked weight.
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Awesome toon, love the setup.[cool]
FF462
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[black][size 3]You know Joni,[/size][/black]
[size 3]the more I look at the Nav II, the better I like it. I knew that you had it motorized, and looked to see where you had the registration placed. It took me a double take to see where you had "blued out" the numbers.[/size]
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[size 3]Does it have the same seat and back rest as the H3?[/size]
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[size 3]You mentioned that it was easy to maneuver the Nav II, I think that that relates to the "rocker" end of the pontoons. I have them on both ends of my Ventures, and they will spin on a dime, and under power, they track with no problems.[/size]
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Most interesting. Where have you mounted your registration numbers and stuff, or have you just ignored that ???
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For Therapist-
Here's an up close shot of the registration plate and for Saberfish wanting to know about the rigidity of the oars, a pic of the oar plate. Diamond plate sandwiched in between the fabric.
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Very cool. So Mojo We heard FG review what did your think of them? And also I think there is something qrong with your rods there the reels look kind-a funny and are all the way at the back.[
][cool]. No really I lke the way you mounted them, now if Dave would only build a smaller version of the deck for the H3.
Majja
PS. I love the cork work on the Bamboo rod in the middle.
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Ok, here's my take. First day out. FILL UP THE SEAT TO THE PROPER PRESSURE.
If you don't, the seat (just like the H3 seat) will sag- and when it sags the toon tips and bodys have a tendency to come together. The seat keeps the toons seperated and thus no need for a frame or cross bar.
My first impressions- wow. This is different. I at first didn't know if I was going to like it. I took it out naked. No motor or battery. Just the oars and Baxter.
The boat is easy to row. I had to put my size 12+ wading boots and fins (adjustable Force Fins) on the front removable foot bar when I was rowing. If I had shorter legs it would have been different. I felt like a spaz trying to get my feet on the bar. But I think the problem boiled down to the saggy butt pad. FILL IT UP CORRECTLY.
You sit lower in the water and the oars are higher up. It works your back and shoulder muscles pretty well. I did move thru the water fairly easy even though there was a wind to contend with, but I had no problems. When I stopped to fish and move around using my fins, it didn't seem any longer or larger than the H3 did. It's kind of hard out in the bigger bodies of water to estimate how fast you go by finning.
Second and third day. I put the motor and battery on and launched. Holy Shiite, A lot better than the first day. Not because of the motor and batt, but because I INFLATED THE SEAT CORRECTLY.
I like the rear deck whether or not it has the motor and batt on or it's naked. The rod holders are in a perfect location. I can put a cooler on or whatever. I'm happy with the Buick sized insulated side pockets. I thought 'I'm going to need another'. I don't think so. One is plenty. I can get 4 of my SA System X boxes, plus my streamer box, plus 2 extra spools and my camera and GPS. The wind was not a problem on day 2 & 3. I usually kicked and when I felt like it, put the motor on 1 and cruised.
Pros- I like the style. It's easy for me to get used to fishing from it. It was comfortable and fairly easy to manuever. I like the extreme lightweight and the color matches my eyes (usually later at night with a few Jack and Cokes in me.)
I like the fact it has the thicker pvc cloth exterior and urethane bladders w/Halkey-Roberts valves.
The rear diamond plate deck is the ducks arse. Joni did cover the deck with regular indoor/outdoor Ozite carpeting, to keep the sound down and keep from getting blinded. It installs easy and once it's on the cam straps keep it tight and it doesn't move. Trust me.
The cons- YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE SEAT INFLATED CORRECTLY.
Speaking of seats, I don't sit as high as in a regular kickboat, but I didn't seem to mind. I just can't wear my hippers in the Navi like I can in the CC.
I can't think of anything else I would or could change, or I didn't care for.
All in all for a 9' frameless kickboat at 18 lbs. with oars, you'll have to pry my cold dead fishy hands from it.
One thing I would like to get is the composite oars like in the NFO website. They look baddass.
BTW, that handle is on the Lamiglass. Good eyes though. I had to look again at what I put in the holders.
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