04-23-2014, 04:41 AM
More than a few pumps might be involved, and your trip might have to be cancelled/delayed with some leak or fabric issues.
Advantages of solid pontoons:
-no packing pumps or pressure guages ever.
-More time on the water for solid pontoons. Load, go, launch/retrieve, then unload.
-no dealing with possible unrepairable leaks causing cancelled trips when unpacking and inflating on location.
-no adjusting pressure when going from warm to cold or for altitude, or bursting concern in full sun.
-no having to return to shore to repair leaks discovered/caused while on the fly.
-no damage or harmful wear with repeated dragging.
-usually the lightweight streamlined rigid pontoons are stronger and require less energy to propel than the closest inflatable equivalent.
Still, I am firmly in the inflatable camp because ONLY they have the capability for the pack in fishing I like, yet can also go where any solid hull goes. I have developed a ritual over the years of carrying small inflatable repair kits, with patches, upholstery thread, valve parts, mouth inflation tube, etc. but only used it a couple of times.
Pon
[quote BigEZ]Seems like a lot of work and expense to avoid a few pumps on each toon before a trip.[/quote]
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Advantages of solid pontoons:
-no packing pumps or pressure guages ever.
-More time on the water for solid pontoons. Load, go, launch/retrieve, then unload.
-no dealing with possible unrepairable leaks causing cancelled trips when unpacking and inflating on location.
-no adjusting pressure when going from warm to cold or for altitude, or bursting concern in full sun.
-no having to return to shore to repair leaks discovered/caused while on the fly.
-no damage or harmful wear with repeated dragging.
-usually the lightweight streamlined rigid pontoons are stronger and require less energy to propel than the closest inflatable equivalent.
Still, I am firmly in the inflatable camp because ONLY they have the capability for the pack in fishing I like, yet can also go where any solid hull goes. I have developed a ritual over the years of carrying small inflatable repair kits, with patches, upholstery thread, valve parts, mouth inflation tube, etc. but only used it a couple of times.
Pon
[quote BigEZ]Seems like a lot of work and expense to avoid a few pumps on each toon before a trip.[/quote]
[signature]