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I am looking for a new (or used) toon. I saw the one at Costco for $299. It seemed to have a lot of features for the money. Has anyone out there purchased one or have any insights?
I had an old donut tube some years ago. I didn't really enjoy it much. I have looked at the newer V and U types and they seem MUCH better. But if the Costco toon at $299 is a good one, that seems like a better alternative.
All suggestions are welcome...
Barry
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Everyone has to start somewhere. What are the features that interest you? I looked at it while there last week. It is flashy.
The things "I" don 't care for is the cloth cover, I prefer PVC coated. The Metal Frame...very heavy.
But like I said, we all have to start somewhere and it would be an easy exchange if something were to happen.
I fish with two gentlemen that bought pontoons from Costco last year. Seem like good pontoons although one was leaking slightly.
Be sure and look at Craigs List or even KSL.com for used pontoons as well. I have seen some killer deals there.
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The first question I would ask is how will you be using and transporting the pontoon? If you will be packing to remote areas the Cosco would be unsuitable. If you have a way to easily strap on the assembled pontoon (one missing part when assembling on location can mean a canceled trip) and can drop off at a boat ramp, it might be suitable depending on the type of fishing you do, and the hazards involved. I agree with FG comments in terms of general evaluation. Hope this helps.
Pon
[quote bobwhitebarry]I am looking for a new (or used) toon. I saw the one at Costco for $299. It seemed to have a lot of features for the money. Has anyone out there purchased one or have any insights?
I had an old donut tube some years ago. I didn't really enjoy it much. I have looked at the newer V and U types and they seem MUCH better. But if the Costco toon at $299 is a good one, that seems like a better alternative.
All suggestions are welcome...
Barry[/quote]
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What brand and model are they carrying?
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Thanks for the input. The Costco in store model is a Wilderness 11 (9') that seems to be a promo version from Classic Accessories. I looked at it again today. It looks like a lot of features for the money, but I think I am going to keep saving up for an Outcast 9 or 10' or the Skykomish Sunrise...
Any thoughts on either of those?
Barry
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Those are great choices. I am a North Fork Outdoors very satisfied customer for the past 10 years. One thing however, the Skykomish standing deck is wider and bigger than the Outcast equal.
The Outcast IR9 has Vinyl bladders and weighs 69 lbs
The Outcast Ferrari 9' Urethane Bladder and weighs 62 lb $1,369.
same thing for the Ferrari 10' weighing 67 lbs $1450.
Aluminum frames - Asian made - five to ten yr warranty
Skykomish Urethane 10'6" 65 lbs aluminum frame $999. USA made - 15 yr warranty
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I looked at it and wasn't too impressed with it. I liked the one they had last year. I looked at the weight capacity and went nope. Needs to carry a little bit more than just me.[laugh] Like what was mentioned earlier look at what you want to do with the toon and decide if it will fit.
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Thanks All for the great information. With your help I have learned a lot in the past few days. It gets really confusing for a rookie trying to make a wise decision. I am really glad I asked!
After mulling things around, and based on your feedback I decided that the Skykomish Sunrise was really a pretty good value. I have a little Toyota Tacoma and thought it might be too much toon for my truck.
After scratching my head for a while I figured out how to build a rack that I can suspend on my garage ceiling and drop it down on my truck bed, install 4 clamps and head off fishing. If it all works like I plan it gives me the entire bed with the tail gate closed for "stuff."[fishon]
Anyhow, thanks again for the guidance!
bobwhitebarry
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ask and ye shall receive!
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[quote bobwhitebarry]Thanks for the input. The Costco in store model is a Wilderness 11 (9') that seems to be a promo version from Classic Accessories. I looked at it again today. It looks like a lot of features for the money, but I think I am going to keep saving up for an Outcast 9 or 10' or the Skykomish Sunrise...
Any thoughts on either of those?
Barry[/quote]
Good idea! You are in an entirely different league with those boats. Costco or Walmart or up here in Canada, Canadian Tire are not going to carry anything truly worthy in terms of a serious inflatable fishing vessel.
God Bless,
Don
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I have the Costco 9 foot pontoon and other than the weight, I like it. I even had a trolling motor on it last year and it took the extra weight and motor just fine. The only thing I dont like is the weight. But that is really only an issue for me when putting it on top of my van and taking it off. Im now thinking of a way to mount a wheel on it so I can wheel it around. This is the same one I have.
[url "http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11626495&search=pontoon+boat&Mo=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=pontoon+boat&Ntt=pontoon+boat&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1"]http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11626495&search=pontoon+boat&Mo=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=pontoon+boat&Ntt=pontoon+boat&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1[/url]
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I have the outcast FC9 AKA sportsmans 9 and love it.GREAT deals can be found on these and the FC8, the sportsmans 8 and 9 they are all the same. If a guy watches the adds you can find a like new outcast or sportsmans for under 300 dollars, and I have seen some in the 200 range. I don't have a negative thing to say about them.
I will say stay away from cloth only covers like some of the low end creek company toons. PVC is the only way to go. Ron
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