06-21-2013, 04:29 AM
Keep in mind that this is my Son's boat and I'm relaying details he has complained to me about. My XR-10 from The Creek Company has been an outstanding boat for me. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Plus I have no desire to run a trolling motor on the pontoon anyway, (although the XR-10 came equipped with a motor mount, and would handle the motor just fine in my opinion)
The only complaint I've heard from him that makes sense is that of the pontoons flexing as he rows and results in lost power from each stroke. I've been out on his boat myself and never experienced this issue. But I have 2 artificial shoulders so I am not in any hurry. I take it slow and easy. The fish will still be there when I get there. i can only imagine he is pulling on those oars with a great deal of force to flex the heavy pontoons.
And lastly, we cut some 2" X 4"s and used screws and bolts making a complete "U" shaped reinforced wall around the back and sides of his cargo deck. It is all very sturdy and will work just fine on any trolling motor he will ever use. I also picked up a length of aluminum tubing of a diameter (don't remember exactly the measurements right now) that will slide into the open frame ends on both sides just behind his seat. I don't have a pipe bender nor do I know anyone who does, which is unfortunate. I hate the idea of buying one to make 4 small bends but may not have any choice. Once I complete that little modification to his frame he will lose the anchor rope guide as it was designed on the right side of his frame. It runs through the frame tube and exits where I will be sliding the new aluminum tube into the frame. But he never uses that anchor set up anyway so no big loss there.
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The only complaint I've heard from him that makes sense is that of the pontoons flexing as he rows and results in lost power from each stroke. I've been out on his boat myself and never experienced this issue. But I have 2 artificial shoulders so I am not in any hurry. I take it slow and easy. The fish will still be there when I get there. i can only imagine he is pulling on those oars with a great deal of force to flex the heavy pontoons.
And lastly, we cut some 2" X 4"s and used screws and bolts making a complete "U" shaped reinforced wall around the back and sides of his cargo deck. It is all very sturdy and will work just fine on any trolling motor he will ever use. I also picked up a length of aluminum tubing of a diameter (don't remember exactly the measurements right now) that will slide into the open frame ends on both sides just behind his seat. I don't have a pipe bender nor do I know anyone who does, which is unfortunate. I hate the idea of buying one to make 4 small bends but may not have any choice. Once I complete that little modification to his frame he will lose the anchor rope guide as it was designed on the right side of his frame. It runs through the frame tube and exits where I will be sliding the new aluminum tube into the frame. But he never uses that anchor set up anyway so no big loss there.
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