04-30-2012, 07:38 PM
DD, clearly you are very experienced in white water. I'm not. I get the feeling that you are feeling that we are being confrontational. I don't really think so, and I hope you don't take it that way. You seem to have some good info and expertise to share in river running. I hope you will continue to do so. The rafts you have mentioned would be excellent for those situations. They might be more than what FishingRookie is looking for, but it is still good advise for someone else that has more of a whitewater need. I am glad you shared it and the links. I have learned a lot.
The only reason that I mentioned a white water rating at all is that with most of the waters in southeast Idaho it is a good idea to have a craft that is well designed and will handle wind, waves, and mild rapids. I didn't mean that the South Fork is a class 4 or 5. I don't think it is, but before I took any craft on even the smoothest part of it I would want to be comfortable with that pontoon's weight capacity and design. A white water rating in just one way to look at the design and that the craft's capacity.
I wouldn't want to take a 5 or 6 ft long "still-water design" pontoon on any moving water. .. Not even the slow sections of the Snake. It would probably work OK for some of it, but it is better to be a little "over dressed" for the water in my opinion.
The original poster was asking about fishing some lakes and some gentle floats in the area. I got the impression that he wants something compact yet still big enough to be comfortable and safe in. In my opinion the Scadden crafts, Sportsman, and Outcast Pontoons would work for that. A good second hand find would probably work fantastic for him.
For just still water I also like my Fish Cat 4, but I wouldn't float it in the river. I mentioned the Renegade because it has worked well for me, and I think it is enough of a "middle of the road" pontoon to be very versatile. I initially got one myself instead of a framed pontoon because it was very light at about 25 lbs, and it will fold down to fit in my sedan.
I am a 60 year old whimp of a woman and I have no problems packing this boat. To me this is an impressive design, given that it will also work with a motor and can handle some mild river fishing. For me that covers a lot of areas, and I have been very impressed with the workmanship, maneuverability, and design.
It is supposed to be a middle level, one man, compact fishing boat. It does that, and even though it is "rated" for class 5 water, I would never attempt anything even close to that with it. It would make it, but I wouldn't!!! [laugh][laugh]
On the other hand, a larger whitewater raft would be way more than I could handle or need. But everyone's needs are different, and it is always good to know some more options and opinions.
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The only reason that I mentioned a white water rating at all is that with most of the waters in southeast Idaho it is a good idea to have a craft that is well designed and will handle wind, waves, and mild rapids. I didn't mean that the South Fork is a class 4 or 5. I don't think it is, but before I took any craft on even the smoothest part of it I would want to be comfortable with that pontoon's weight capacity and design. A white water rating in just one way to look at the design and that the craft's capacity.
I wouldn't want to take a 5 or 6 ft long "still-water design" pontoon on any moving water. .. Not even the slow sections of the Snake. It would probably work OK for some of it, but it is better to be a little "over dressed" for the water in my opinion.
The original poster was asking about fishing some lakes and some gentle floats in the area. I got the impression that he wants something compact yet still big enough to be comfortable and safe in. In my opinion the Scadden crafts, Sportsman, and Outcast Pontoons would work for that. A good second hand find would probably work fantastic for him.
For just still water I also like my Fish Cat 4, but I wouldn't float it in the river. I mentioned the Renegade because it has worked well for me, and I think it is enough of a "middle of the road" pontoon to be very versatile. I initially got one myself instead of a framed pontoon because it was very light at about 25 lbs, and it will fold down to fit in my sedan.
I am a 60 year old whimp of a woman and I have no problems packing this boat. To me this is an impressive design, given that it will also work with a motor and can handle some mild river fishing. For me that covers a lot of areas, and I have been very impressed with the workmanship, maneuverability, and design.
It is supposed to be a middle level, one man, compact fishing boat. It does that, and even though it is "rated" for class 5 water, I would never attempt anything even close to that with it. It would make it, but I wouldn't!!! [laugh][laugh]
On the other hand, a larger whitewater raft would be way more than I could handle or need. But everyone's needs are different, and it is always good to know some more options and opinions.
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