Hi all,
I'm new here, and to floating, and I'm considering a float tube or two. I am 6'3 and weigh in at about 330. My son is also 6'3, about 220 and is a left leg below knee amputee. I would expect that he would want to bring his black lab with him.
We are beginning to become more and more involved in fly fishing through the Walter Reed chapter of Project Healing Waters. We'd like to get out on the water more, but are essentially restricted to wheel-chair-accessible areas, unless, of course, we could get out on the water. We're thinking that float tubes/pontoon boats might be the answer. Not sure about the realistic feasibility of using fins (we're both handicapped - can't drive or walk over uneven terrain (I'm a shot down & shot up Vietnam era helicopter pilot)), so the notion of trolling motors has a lot of appeal!
That said, can you suggest a solution that we can explore which might enable us to get out more frequently and efficiently?
Our local waters are the Mattawoman Creek, Port Tobacco River/Creek, Potomac and Patuxent Rivers.
We appreciate any and all suggestions and advice.
Thanks.
Bob & Robby
Southern Maryland
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You mentioned RIVERS, MOTORS and SIZE.
I am going to suggest Pontoons. Plus you have oars. Even with an electric motor, you might want at least one fin in the water to steer.
You can steer with just the motor, but you really have to be going at a good clip and that drains battery. You could steer with oars, but that too takes away from the hands free fishing.
Hopefully there would be access that would allow you to back a small trailer with the pontoons right next to the water.
I fish allot by myself, and I am not a strong woman, but I can slide the boat off and on my trailer with ease.
I even saw a killer deal on two pontoons plus a trailer for $1,500. on another sire, so deals are out there.
Welcome to BFT and hope you can stay awhile.[
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I too am thinking you would need pontoon boats. Do you have a pickup or any way to haul a trailer?
Also remember that the batteries to the trolling motors are heavy and awkward to carry.
I suggest that you find someone through your Walter Reed chapter or look for a fishing club, and get someone to help you try out a pontoon boat.
For ease of handling I would suggest a pontoon with a short length.
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I'll third the vote for a pontoon. If you are set on a tube then you don't have too many options. I am 6' 8" and weigh in at 310 and I just bought a Freestyle H3 from Dave Scadden. I couldn't be happier with it. The service was atrocious but once I got the tube it was all
s.
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Just got to give them the right info, like a phone number[
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Pontoon........................................[
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Thanks - all - for the warm reception and kind words. Looks like I've fallen into good company! [
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And we both appreciate the advice on water craft. Pontoon boats seem to be the way to go. So now the questions are' which one?', and' where to buy?'. Shipping would almost certainly be a consideration - we're in Southern Maryland.
I am unaware of any stores around here that carries them. There is a Bass Pro Shop up in Howard County - about 40 miles north. And Dick's Sporting Goods carries Kayaks - not sure about inflatables, though. When I Google it, I get 57 bazillion hits. Talk about information overload . . .
I'll keep searching, but hopefully, get some more good advice from the experienced here at this forum.
Thanks again!
Bob Hendry
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Dave Scadden will ship to you at very low cost. He makes very good product but just so you know
the service is not the best. But the boats are very good
maybe even the best.
Bass pro shops may have something as well.
There is also the Prowler that is made for "big boys", you
may want to look at that.
Cabelas has many many boats and free shipping on items over $150. Look at Cabelas, they also have
pontoon on sale all the time. Some sweet deals.
Hope this helps.
Peter
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Anyone here have experience with the SeaEagle Framless Pontoon Boat? It has a great capacity rating, and its easy to transport, I think.
A friend knows a fellow whose brother-in-law's boss has a blow-up Sea Eagle kayak, and loves it. The video on theit website makes it appear to be exactly what we're looking for.
Cheers!
Bob Hendry
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Sorry, I didn't get the address of the movie, so haven't seen it. Getting in and out will be more difficult than a frame pontoon where you just position yourself near the seat and sit, do they show that part? You can stop and start just about anywhere in water up to waist high with a pontoon without having to get out/in, just stand up. Check out if the floor on the Eagle can take even temporary stand up pressure, some need a separate hard floorboard kit.
Hope this helps.
Pon
[quote MajBob]Anyone here have experience with the SeaEagle Framless Pontoon Boat? It has a great capacity rating, and its easy to transport, I think.
A friend knows a fellow whose brother-in-law's boss has a blow-up Sea Eagle kayak, and loves it. The video on theit website makes it appear to be exactly what we're looking for.
Cheers!
Bob Hendry[/quote]
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They do look cool and the material looks good, but one thing...they are narrow. The wider the boat (Along with length to a degree) the more stable.
Second, no way would I stand on there without the lean bar, and where does the lean bar go when not in use? It looks like the pedistal seat is in the way. (I know that is why my Hubby doesn't use his when using his gas motor - the seat is in the way of folding it down).
The prices with all the things you need is right in the same ball park as many BIG name pontoons.
I own the Framed Outlaw X5 and the Frameless Escape. They are the same for ease of getting in and out of. The floor on the Escape is inflated and off the water so it really isn't much lower than the frame model. And the Escape is the smallest frameless NFO.
There was someone back that mention they had ordered one of these Eagles. For some reason, never heard from them again about it.
I know allot of Pontooners and allot of pontoons, but no one has and Eagle.
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MajBob said, "We're thinking that float tubes/pontoon boats might be the answer. Not sure about the realistic feasibility of using fins (we're both handicapped - can't drive or walk over uneven terrain (I'm a shot down & shot up Vietnam era helicopter pilot)), so the notion of trolling motors has a lot of appeal!"
It might help in choosing a type or size if we knew what transportation you are going to use. Do you have a truck? Or a car that can pull a trailer? If not you might be restricted to something that is more compact and can be deflated small enough to go in a car. Also are you thinking of both of you on one pontoon? Or two separate pontoons?
If you don't drive or walk how is all of this going to work? If we knew more of the logistics, maybe we could suggest something that will suit you and your situation.
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Excellent post C......
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Yes, excellent questions by Cpierce.
After looking at the film clip, I can see additional issues besides access. The boat may inflate in minutes, but putting seats, motor mount, floorboard, etc. will take considerably longer round trip, each time you go out unless you have a way to leave it set up, which is what I would do. Loading and unloading motors, battery, tackle, equipment, etc. will be exhausting and time consuming and has to be weight balanced as close to the wheels as possible. The wheels look too skimpy for the weight of a full size motor and battery, notice the tiny, expensive, motor/batt they use for demo. The wheels are too small, axle too low, not to get hung up in rugged terrain or sand and they require a very wide almost perfect, smooth path as shown, or a boat ramp.
FG has pointed out the issues with standing, which was illustrated with the floorboard in place and fully demonstrated by a thin, acrobatic, young person, probably after several takes. Water and possibly mud will be tracked into the floor upon entry, so sponges or towels will be needed, if you dislike marinating your feet for hours like me. Sorry, but the Eagles just seem like a flawed design compared to a pontoon or even a large tube in the small fishing boat category.
The positives are large load capability, lightweight without motor power, inflation portability without add ons, rugged material, and low cost. They are a sponsor that makes this list possible and allow ungrateful people like me able to post...[shocked]
Hope this helps.
Pon
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They are a sponsor that makes this list possible and allow ungrateful people like me able to post...[shocked]
hahhahahaaaahahahaha[
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thats funny !!!
peter
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Wow! I am impressed. Y'all really know this subject. A little more background info on me and my son. Our brand new F-150 was totaled last year, and we haven't replaced it. Our primary vehicle ow is the E-150 LA West Conversion van. My wife and 19 yr old daughter are the only drivers, and my daughter has a Merc Cougar. The van will be out prime mover. There is a power chair lift semi-permanently mounted in the trailer hitch. We could bungee chord a deflated/foldable pontoon to the lift if required. Otherwise, it'd have to go in the van. We're about 8 miles from Indian Head where there is a public paved launch in the Mattawoman Creek (bass hot spot!!!). with access to the Potomac. My wife is wiling to drive us and fetch us at the end of the day. It would have to be at/near a paved or well graded area with a launch/pier.
I was inclined to favor a pontoon for Robby and a float tube for me. If I went alone, I'd use the pontoon, if together, I'd go in the tube and Robby in the pontoon. I was shot down in Vietnam, and shot up trying to escape. I was rescued by some South Vietnamese troops, and ultimately MedEvac's to the Army Hosp in Da Nang. They were able to save my legs, but I still walk with a cane for short distances 50 to 100 meters. Robby is a left leg below knee amputee, but his surgeon up at Walter Reed tells us that he may have to take Robby's knee during the next surgery (this will be his 34th since July 4, '09 - He had 31, 32 and 33 about 3 weeks ago). I don't think he'd be able to use fins to propel a kick boat - oars and/or trolling motor would be required. Poor guy is going nuts bound to the wheel chair all summer and sleeping in the family room again. He can't navigate stairs yet since his last surgeries. He keeps getting infections that get into the bone in his residual limb. He also suffers from severe TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). But I digress.
I need to find a way to get him out on the water and catch some fish. He won't be able to navigate rough terrain, or wade. Only options are from a pier in his wheel chair, or water craft. Float tubes/pontoons see like the answer. He is 6'3" and weighs about 210. I'm the same height, but weighed in yesterday at 319.
I appreciate all the advice so far. I will investigate the NFO line.
Cheers!
Bob H.
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One more suggestion. Also a sponsor here or at least at one time.
PORTA-BOAT. They are light, fold flat and can be strapped to the side of your van. Put a trolling motor on it and you or both of you are set.
Just another thought seeing how flippers are an issue.
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The Porta-boat might work well for you, I am not sure what they weigh and how much it takes to set up. Worth investigating though.
Otherwise you might be able as you say go with one framed pontoon that rides on the back and a float tube.
There are a number of two man rafts that you could put a motor on also. Such as the Sea Eagle 124
http://www.seaeagle.com/MotormountBoats.aspx
Or you might look at the other fully inflatable crafts with oars like the North Fork Outdoors' Escape and Renegade. And anything else that doesn't have a frame and take up lots of room.
Don't skimp on the life vests and other safety equipment either.
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Set up on a portabote is slower than an inflatable especially for a couple of guys that move slowly. One flat seat can't hold 310# as they are made of thin plywood with upkeep issues. Also the brackets that hold the flat seats to keep the boat open are not durable beyond 50 uses or so. The plastic hull panels are put together with staples that will work loose over about 100 uses -where the seat structure weight is concentrated at the floor-leaks.
But then what do I know, one of these is sitting in my garage with all these unresolved issues even after dealing with customer service..... Just been too embarassed to give the thing away.
Pon
[quote flygoddess]One more suggestion. Also a sponsor here or at least at one time.
PORTA-BOAT. They are light, fold flat and can be strapped to the side of your van. Put a trolling motor on it and you or both of you are set.
Just another thought seeing how flippers are an issue.[/quote]
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