I got my new ride so I took it sturgeon fishing

[idahoron]

Everyone knows I had a problem with my last pontoon. Outcast was great and sent me a replacement frame. The problem is I needed a ride that I could use my outboard with to get to sturgeon holes. Well I got my new ride on Tuesday. It is a Skookum Steelheader 10 foot. This is a LOT bigger boat than a regular Pontoon. This one is white water rated to a level I will never find out. It has a 1000 pound load capacity which might come in handy for hunting. It has 20” x 10’3” pontoons that are made from 5500 denier PVC covered cloth. Most pontoons are only 500-to 1000 denier PVC covered cloth. The Pontoons have two compartments on each side. A little added safety in case something goes terribly wrong.
It came with a standing platform and a platform on the floor of the spot to carry coolers. I had them add a motor mount that will handle up to 5 HP outboard. Speaking of frames. This one is made from 1 ¼” galvanized steel pipe. This frame is strong.

After unloading the boat into the water I took off with the oars. The whole area is weedy and shallow. This boat tracks well and is very easy to row. It rides very high on the water and the seat is way up there. Speaking of seat. I was worried about the height of the seat. What I did was after riding into the hole on the swivel base seat I moved down and sat on the foot deck. I was able to kick with no problems. Handling a sturgeon should be no problem at all, in this boat.

Over all this Cataraft is a lot heavier than a smaller fly fishing style Pontoon. But I was not looking for something ultra light weight like a corvette. I wanted a a Humvee type of a Cat.

I got to the hole and started to fish. I saw one jump at 7:30 and another one jumped at 9:30. Then I saw one on my fish finder. I did get one hit but no hookup. Well there is always another day. Here are some pictures.



I got it put together and started to pimp it. In this next picture shows the fish finder and the front end of the boat.



In this next one it shows the cockpit area. I added side boards, rod holders, and the fish finder.



This next picture shows the transducer mount. I used a dle clamp for this one.



here are the pictures from the sturgeon hole. Ron



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[Bassnbob]

That's a sweet looking float tube. []

Can't wait for the next sturgeon videos.
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[fish-o-holic]

Sweet ride!
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[flygoddess]

Nice semi there Ron. I know several that have these boats, but non of them use them for fishing, so I look forward to your reports.
I thought the Toons are Maxxon and they are,
Multiple chambers and 2,200 Denier PVC give you the security you need when maneuvering on treacherous rivers. All Pontoons come with a 5-year warranty, an easy to use foot pump, and repair kit. Chafing pads on the top and bottom of the pontoons give added protection of 3,300 Denier PVC.
Which is pretty thick, give you that. Mine is 1500 and in 20+ years, never had a leak...knock on wood.

I am sure that frame can handle a 25 hp motor.

On your Outcast, I wonder if these are, budget so to speak, models made for Sportsmans, because their other models with their name are much more expensive.

Rock on!
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[Kodiak1]

Nice! Looks like you've got just about everything but Magic Fingers!! (Only the older folks will get that). Anyway, enjoy. Mike
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[cpierce]

Sweet ride! Too bad the sturgeon didn't want to play.
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[ilovesmallies]

i like the fish finder in action pic. obvious whats on there.
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[MMDon]

Congrats on the nice new ride Ron!

Love the FF screen shot!!!
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[idahoron]

here is another screen shot from the same hole. Ron


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[idahoron]

Thanks guys. I will be posting about how it does for other types of fishing too. Ron
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[flygoddess]

If you need another for your boy, I just found one for $900.
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[idahoron]

No that is ok. He likes his little creek co. Ron
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[mudsucker]

Nice.

Will it be easier for a sturgeon to pull you off the foot deck when you sit on it? I like the idea of a seat belt.
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[idahoron]

I don't think so. The foot deck is basically the same height as the seat on the Sportsmans or other pontoons. I do keep a sharp knife handy[]
Ron
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[Divin-Demon]

Hey Ron glad to see that it came in OK lol. Neat how you did the decking on the frame. Damn I almost was going to use ya for target practice with the 22 cal RWS I was soooo jealous ( good thing I had to go to Montana ) . For those who don't know I had a little mishap in my cataraft shipment. The hyster driver put a fork thru the shrink wrap and mangled one of the tubes / frame.
Ron, I went with the standard frame ( anchor mount in the middle of the frame ) it was a 6 week wait to do up another custom frame with motor mount ect. due to a grand canyon order. That or mess up their trip which I could not see especially how I loved my 14 day Middle /Main Salmon trip last year. They are working the damages out with the shipping Co.Anyhow it should be here by Fri - Mon. With the frame in hand I can finish up the mods I started ,along with configuring a motor mount / repositioning the anchor mount.
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[idahoron]

Your pictures didn't come through. After you get your ride we will have to hook you up with a Nantucket Slay ride. Last weekend a buddy of mine boated 6 sturgeon in one afternoon. I got skunked but I am going to try it again tomorrow. Ron
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[Divin-Demon]

Ok the old man is trying the album way . [:p]

Trailer Mods - was a trailer with 5' rear gate and 2' rails on 3 sides. Rollers are pvc with 3 bearings pressed inside on 1/2" aircraft ( 7075) aluminum rods. Deck covered with marine carpet. Between rollers 2 pcs of 3/4 " plywood glued / screwed together then covered in same carpet . Top of rollers 1/2" - 3/4 " above plywood pcs. 4 Hvy duty eyebolts on each side.



The anchor pulley on back rail needs to be removed for a motor mount ( nedd to fabricate one ) and relocated .
In process of figuring an accessories rail for fishfinder / rod holders / transducer mount / net holder / light bar. I think the beer will have to go in pockets of life preserver jacket . []
Sleigh Ride sounds fun although with my luck lately I'll end up with one on my lap.
I think I need to reduce picture size some more - better on 2nd try.




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[idahopanfish]

Nice ride and HAPPY BIRTHDAY
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[idahoron]

Thanks!!!! Ron
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