Well I made the jump to a pontoon, after years a a tuber. I did some horse trading and eneded up with a Classic Accessories Cimmaron Pontoon. Not the top of the line by any means, but not a bad ride. I have read many reviews of the frame breaking on these toon's, so now that I have decided to keep it it is going to the shop for some frame work, or a new stainless frame. Then I will likely hand it down to the little lady and look for a 9ft toon for me. I think I will like a little bigger toon. After a few outings I still like my float tube better, but I can see where the toon has its place. Covering large bodies of water is a lot faster.
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I think you will begin to really enjoy the toon, I know I love mine. I have an FC4 but it's really not big enough for me but it works if I need a tube. But I do enjoy the toon and all the room. One day I hope to have a 9'er.
congrats on the trading
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A few pics of our trip on the Snake today. Fishing was slow, caught probably 20 small mouth from 8" to 14" but is was still a great day.
Hey Michael maybe we will run into each other some day, since we are in the same neck of the woods.
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I have a couple of the ODC's the yellow sport and the green classic. They are probably one step up from the one you have but not by much. In your first picture you posted you can see the toon is tipped forward. These type of toons are tough to get the balance right. It is because of the way the toons are made. I got to the point I could get mine to balance but there are WAY better pontoons. Before you spend a ton of money on a stainless frame you should do some homework. The PVC covers are a TON better than the fabric that is on the one you have or the ODC's I have. I picked up a Sportsmans 9 it is the same as the outcast FC9. I got it for 200 dollars used. I like this pontoon a LOT! The frame is a LOT stronger than the ODC, the toon covers are WAY more puncture proof. and it came with WAY better oars, and seat. It also has an adjustable seat, and a motor mount with a hard deck.
I have used this pontoon a lot this summer and the more I use it the more I like it. I have seen a lot of them for sale for under 350 dollars. Just something to think about before you make a new frame. In these pictures you can see how sharp the rockers are on the ODC. If you think about this. How much of the pontoons is below the water line on the ODC vs the FC9? Yours would be the same as the ODC. There is more toon under water so it tracks a little more straight. It has a lot more "hull" to keep the load level and stable. In the third picture you can see what happens if the load is not balanced. This is only about 30 to 35 pounds. In the 4th picture you can see I had figured out where to place the frame to help balance it.
In the last picture is the FC9. The back rack has close to 100 pounds on it or more not 30 to 35. You can see that this boat will take on a lot more weight and rides way better. The seat sits higher than the ODC's and pontoons like them.
I am not saying yours is a bad toon. I am just saying if your going to build a new Stainless frame you might do some research. Maybe I will catch you out on the water some day. Ron
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That would be fun. I haven't fished centenial ever. I did hike down to Pillar falls years ago but just haven't taken the toon or loat tube down there yet, Might need to do that and you could show me the bass[
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What an incredible stretch of water!!!![shocked] AND THAT BRIDGE!!!! that is sooooo cool.
I agree that you will find the pontoon has many more advantages.
Length doesn't need to be a big selling feature. I had a 6' Alpine (Buck's Bag) and a 4' Echo (Venture Outdoors)
Both very high quality pontoons. As Ron mentioned, stronger outside cover is a big plus. Think of them like a hot dog on the BBQ. Some will plump when you cook them and bust seams...then you are done. At least the bladders can be patched but the outer cover is a little tougher.
The boat you bought works, but I doubt I would put much more money into it myself, and If you love your wife, you might think about up grading her as well...[laugh][laugh][laugh]
Getting a great deal on a tube or toon is always a BIG advantage, but I suggest getting the best quality you can. You are out in the middle of water and should NOT have to worry about the safety of the ride.
That pontoon does have a history, please be careful, and more pictures please.[
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That lost picture with the bridge is fantastic !
Anyways, if I may.............think about it twice before
you put ton of money into that toon.
You maybe better off just leave it the way it is and do
just few small mods. And then later when you are sure
that tooning IS for you, get a better toon .
Not that there is anything wrong with yours but............
Peter
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[quote flygoddess] If you love your wife, you might think about up grading her as well.[/quote]
pay attention to this one lol
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Sounds like a great deal. Also listen to the others on the frame. I have an old Leigh that is in great shape and someday I will upgrade when I find one that is right for me. (Yes I am a little picky). I too am looking at a 9 footer but then I like the one i have as well. Nice to know that your wife likes fishing as well.[cool] Mine doesn't want a toon but wanted an FC4 instead. So that is what she has.
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Thanks for all the good advice from everyone. I would like to buy a couple new and better toons. But it will come in time, save and watch the classifieds for a bargain.
I am a certified welder and been a fabricator, professionally most of my life, and have tons of left over iron from projects, thats the thinking behind a new frame for this one. I have some scrap tubing, stainless and mild stell. I can build twice the frame for no money just a little time, and make this toon work for a while. I am just worried about the welds breaking on this one, from a,, the negative reviews I have read. I am getting the balance thing figured out, had it good and level till we stopped for lunch and I took the cooler off the back and set it on the bank.
I like the looks of your pontoon Ron, and probably the style I will get. Hope to fish with you someday.
Michael, I would enjoy fishing centennial with you anytime, been finding some nice large mouth down there, smallest was 14" and biggest was just over 20"
Hey FG, I assume you meant upgrade the pontoon for the wife, not upgrade her? HAHAHA She might not like me upgrading her
I look forward to seeing any and all of you on the water some day Thanks again for all the great advice.
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LMAO...yes the boat.
Just saying', if you want wives to get into this, don't expect them to be happy with your hand me downs...LOL
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I knew what ya meant, just had to give you a bad time about it.
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I wanna play in your fishing holes, that is for sure.
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Larry I am looking forward to a float trip. Ron
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Come on up, I'll show you around, and you can tell me everything I need to know about fly fishing. I have never done it, but would love to learn
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Me too, should be a great time. We will definately have to plan something before summer is over, cant believe it is August already
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