I am interested in buying a pontoon boat for the Green, Strawberry Res, and the San Juan (below Navajo). I am unsure as to what size I should get. Also, are their any restrictions that I should be aware of? I am aware of the PFD requirement, but do you need a certain size boat to float the Green? Does it need to be registered? I am guessing that I am making more out of this than I should, but I would like to have as much info as I can before I purchase.
Any suggestions are appreciated...
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I have an 8 ft and a 10 ft. Like them both- 8ft is quicker on the water and fine for the green- no motor no registration.
Learn to row your boat first before going to the green- not that it has any real technical water or anything but it will be safer, make for a better experience as it will for those floating or fishing near you.
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Excellent, just the info I was looking for!
Thanks Much!
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I thought that 9 foot was required to float rivers here, but maybe it is 8.
I would think longer would be more stable.
Here is a cool little You Tube, he even says where and what he is using. This is a 10' toon though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwK3y1fDG8A
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awesome video.. loved the fins he was walking in ..... :-)
MacFly [cool]
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FG find the reg if you can- I think they never put that in though they thought about it. I think it's a life jacket and an xtra oar- no float tubes . An 8 ft toon can take just about anything but the Colorado if you are decent with your oars. I know for a fact they can go thru Kahunna and Lunch Counter
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I am sure you are right. Now that I think about it, I think that is why we went to the Expedition years back....it was an eight footer.
And as you say, I couldn't find anything on length.
But I did read on several manufacturers and other tooners that bigger is better. So if there is little price difference in an 8 or a 9 I would go with the 9. Plus you can pack more and the weight acceptance is more.
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tube design is more important than length. a 10 foot pontoon that doesn't have rockered ends can still get you into trouble (like the wavetrain into merry go round and the big drop at bridge rapid). You don't want to bury the tubes or you can get into trouble. That being said, any 8 footer designed for moving water should work fine.
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Good point. All Pontoons are not created equal. I noticed that also. Some pontoons are posted for rivers for that very reason.
I know all mine are good to go, but not so sure I am[cool]
I wouldn't hesitate to float the Green however.
I am interested in which 10'ers are not rated for at least a class II.
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Yes- like the old Leigh pontoon that could be mistaken for an oil rig.
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I had one of those also. HUGE diameter toons, but I still sat inches off the water. The frame dropped too much.
I don't think you need those exaggerated kick ups. I think some are to the point of overkill and giving up pay load capacity because of it. Not as big of foot print in the water. Like trying to ski barefoot or with skies.[
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The Rubber rafts hardly kick up and they have been doing rivers for years.
I am talking ROCKER designs here.
Scadden's doing kick up that much and go to his site and see the waters he floats.
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I immediately flipped the seat frame over and raised myself about 5 to 7 inches up---- made little difference it was still a lead sled.
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Not sure how you did that, but what ever works right.
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I took the supports that were under the seat and turned them upside down was all- they went from bending down to bending up. Made casting a tinch better but didn't make the boat row much easier.
Just like flipping an axle on your trailer over to raise it.
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Didn't the frame curved to go over the pontoons...I can't remember. Most do and that is why I can't see how you flip that over. The oar holders also would be on the bottom.
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Yes- the frame did but not the seat supports
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