Fishing Forum

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I returned the Classic Accessories Colorado XT back to Cabelas a back in June. I had it for a couple months & used it a handful of times. The seams on some places were coming undone, so back it went.

I turned around & bought the IR-9. NOW this is great pontoon boat! It's a steel frame pontoon boat, but since I won't be getting it in the ocean; it works perfect for me.

The main difference of the Colorado XT & the IR-9 are quite significant. The IR-9 has a 5 yr warranty vs 2 yrs w/ the Colorado XT. Also the IR-9 is slightly narrower than the Colorado XT. Not by much but enough that I can row faster on the IR-9. The motor mount on the IR-9 is in the middle back vs. switching to the left or right side on the back. I thought that having the motor mount on the side would be easier to use the trolling motor. I was so wrong! I had the motor mount on the right side & it was uncomfortable to steer. The reason is I had to have the motor blade lower in the water so it won't cut into the inflated pontoon. So that put my arm in a lower position & made steering uncomfortable. Now w/ the IR-9's motor mount in the middle, I can raise the motor mount high enough that I can reach over & steer a bit more comfortable. Also w/ the prop higher, it doesn't dig into the bottom.

You can see from the pic I have mounted 5 rod holders on a crate. The IR-9 has a metal rear deck that I can zip tie down the crate for the rod holders & it also holds a group 24 battery & a smaller crate on the other side. I keep most of my lures in the crates & I can get to my rods easily. The side pockets on the IR-9 is quite big to put alot of stuff in.

The IR-9 is slightly lighter than the Colorado XT, but not by much. I can still carry the IR-9 to the side of the water as long as it's less than 25 yds.

I don't see posts for Outcast pontoon boats, don't know why. These are quality crafts.
The IR-9 is very stable & I can as I said row much faster. The design of the Outcast Pontoon boats is one of the best.
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I see you have flippers, do you not steer with them? I only touch my motor for speed or to turn off, but I steer with my feet.
How do you sit in the water?
I also have the 36" shaft and I prefer to have it fairly deep. I think I move better, but maybe not.[crazy]
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I use the fins when I am at an area I want to fish. I can kick around in short order & steer well also. Those fins are Hot Spot fins. Really quite popular fins in Southern California.

When I'm using the trolling motor, I have my oar blades in the water. I use oar hanger on the side of the pontoons to keep the blades in the water. The oar blades act like skegs or rudders & keeps me tracking straight while using the trolling motor. I tried using the trolling motor w/o the oar blades in the water & I manuever way too easily. I can't keep a straight run just running the trolling motor. So the oar blades keeps my heading in a straight direction & I can turn easier too.

I tried running the trolling motor deeper & I would hit bottom more often. Some of the lakes around here the water has dropped down & I have to have the prop hight so I don't hit bottom. Some of the times I'm kicking on the bottom of the lake & have to raise my trolling motor & bring in the oars so I don't get stuck in an area. I'm going to try & drop my trolling motor prop a bit lower, see if I can improve on how I move in the water.

When I had the Colorado XT, I HAD to have the prop dropped down as low as it will go, so the prop doesn't cut into the pontoon. I felt like w/ the prop lower in the water, I didn't move quite as efficiently as if it were higher.

Thanks for that suggestion on dropping the prop lower, maybe on the IR-9 it may run better. I'll let you know....
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You got me thinking about this also. I had to go with the longer prop because of similar problem with the Navigator II, only in it's case, the prop was real close to the bottom of the "V" tube. That is the reason I went with the longer prop. I have the stop set for the Navi, but maybe I don't need to be that deep...Hmmmm. Haven't noticed any difference, but maybe it would help because of less drag. I have noticed allot of people lately, have their motors slightly tilted (like first notch) up. That one gets me cause it doesn't seem the motor is functioning the way it should.
I have those "U" shaped brackets for shotguns on an ATV mounted on the back of my toon to hold the blades. Like I said, I just use my feet/flippers for hands free fishing at all times.

Very nice looking ride! But, you bring up a point that has been on my mind. Why is it, no one reports problems they have with their Tubes or Toons right when they happen.
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sweet toon. i also have been looking at outcast toons. Good product for a lot less money than most others. You can really trick one of those out.
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