10-27-2011, 03:46 PM
Jer, all good advice has been given from some very knowledgeable individuals. I generally agree with everything that has been posted, and it is very good info. Some contradictory answers because of the physical difference in the individuals, and the type of fishing they do.
I've been at it for awhile also, and tend to approach from the other end, asking questions about the user first.
What kind of water and species will you be fishing? There are trade offs depending on whether you will be using in shallow, slow moving creeks on one end or huge open water on the other. A compromise, if you want it to do it all, is in order.
How often will you realistically use your boat? You indicated once a week which is possible in warm Texas, but can you really do that in the colder northwest states? Most people wind up using a boat way LESS than they think, even when they have a passion and are retired. Big motorboats are the least used and biggest waste, average of about 4 holidays a year is what I read.
What kind of physical fitness and how strong are you? Necessary to know for propulsion and toon size considerations.
How tall are you and how heavy? There is quite a difference between the advice to be given a 98# 5' woman vs. a 6'6", 300# man.
As regards price when new, I go with the consumer reports philosophy: Paying less usually get you less, but paying more may also get you less because of hype factors. Look for the best bang for the buck, unless you have special needs and have to pay more.
Pontoons will almost always be faster than tubes, but your upper back will get wetter than with a "V" tube because of the spray caused by the twin hulls as they move through the water or against the wind into waves. That has been my experience, anyway. Quad tube pontoons are slower and heavier and sit lower as has been pointed out, but that wouldn't matter much with troll motor power. Quads are the most stable making them usable when there are many other boat wakes around or in waves. My Oncilla quad seating is high and dry since I sit above the spray created by pontoon tips, but your storage pockets will get wet because of the lower stance diameter tubes.
Hope this helps.
Pon
[quote jer_fishes]First off...I try to get out on the water at least once a week. Preferably more, but life happens[
] That being said let's talk about wear and tear and how quickly these things break down.
Frames:
I understand that steel will rust the quickest. What about the stainless steel? I assume it doesn't rust the same, but it is still heavier than the aluminum? Which is better stainless steel or aluminum? With the amount I go fishing should I worry about rust or will it be minimal?
Bladders:
I've read a couple posts talking about how polyurethane is better than vinyl. If someone could explain why I'd appreciate it. With the amount I fish, how soon would the vinyl wear out?
Oars:
Some models come with 6' and some with 7'. I would assume the advantage to be with the 7'.
Valves:
I had a creek company tube with some crappy valves. I've used an Outcast tube and the valves seemed fine. I guess my question is which company's valves hold up and don't leak? I've read that the colorado has had problems in this area, but they've fixed em TD?
Seams:
Someone please explain to me what welded seam construction and sewn seam construction mean[
]
Finally, say I get something like the Southfork. Would putting the motor on it make the balance all out of wack? Would it be smoother to put on a 9' or can an 8' handle it?
Thanks for all your input[] I just might wait on buying and end up saving more $$$ while the water freezes up.[/quote]
[signature]
I've been at it for awhile also, and tend to approach from the other end, asking questions about the user first.
What kind of water and species will you be fishing? There are trade offs depending on whether you will be using in shallow, slow moving creeks on one end or huge open water on the other. A compromise, if you want it to do it all, is in order.
How often will you realistically use your boat? You indicated once a week which is possible in warm Texas, but can you really do that in the colder northwest states? Most people wind up using a boat way LESS than they think, even when they have a passion and are retired. Big motorboats are the least used and biggest waste, average of about 4 holidays a year is what I read.
What kind of physical fitness and how strong are you? Necessary to know for propulsion and toon size considerations.
How tall are you and how heavy? There is quite a difference between the advice to be given a 98# 5' woman vs. a 6'6", 300# man.
As regards price when new, I go with the consumer reports philosophy: Paying less usually get you less, but paying more may also get you less because of hype factors. Look for the best bang for the buck, unless you have special needs and have to pay more.
Pontoons will almost always be faster than tubes, but your upper back will get wetter than with a "V" tube because of the spray caused by the twin hulls as they move through the water or against the wind into waves. That has been my experience, anyway. Quad tube pontoons are slower and heavier and sit lower as has been pointed out, but that wouldn't matter much with troll motor power. Quads are the most stable making them usable when there are many other boat wakes around or in waves. My Oncilla quad seating is high and dry since I sit above the spray created by pontoon tips, but your storage pockets will get wet because of the lower stance diameter tubes.
Hope this helps.
Pon
[quote jer_fishes]First off...I try to get out on the water at least once a week. Preferably more, but life happens[
] That being said let's talk about wear and tear and how quickly these things break down. Frames:
I understand that steel will rust the quickest. What about the stainless steel? I assume it doesn't rust the same, but it is still heavier than the aluminum? Which is better stainless steel or aluminum? With the amount I go fishing should I worry about rust or will it be minimal?
Bladders:
I've read a couple posts talking about how polyurethane is better than vinyl. If someone could explain why I'd appreciate it. With the amount I fish, how soon would the vinyl wear out?
Oars:
Some models come with 6' and some with 7'. I would assume the advantage to be with the 7'.
Valves:
I had a creek company tube with some crappy valves. I've used an Outcast tube and the valves seemed fine. I guess my question is which company's valves hold up and don't leak? I've read that the colorado has had problems in this area, but they've fixed em TD?
Seams:
Someone please explain to me what welded seam construction and sewn seam construction mean[
] Finally, say I get something like the Southfork. Would putting the motor on it make the balance all out of wack? Would it be smoother to put on a 9' or can an 8' handle it?
Thanks for all your input[
] I just might wait on buying and end up saving more $$$ while the water freezes up.[/quote][signature]