05-18-2022, 05:24 PM
Due to a number of things in life I have not been able to fish as much as I have in the past, but it needs to change and is going to. I have my wife's blessing to invest in inflatable pontoon boat or raft, that will allow me to start taking my kids out more often. I life in Grand Junction, so something we can just casually float on the Colorado is important, but I do want something I can attach a transom mount trolling motor to for Pelican Lake, Rifle Gap and Harvey Reservoirs, hitting burbot at the Gorge, Fish Lake.....etc. I have 4 kids, ages 6, 8, 10, and 12, but my wife agree that I should get something that seats 3 to start, and we can get a second if we really like it for the whole family to float.
I also have the money to buy sonar of whatever sort can work on a raft, and will add that as quickly as possible.
Parameters include width is less than 74 inches, and length less than 14'1", as that is the dimension of my utility trailer I currently own, and I don't have room for or want another trailer. With the desire for the transom trolling motor, I would like to have the option to have a swivel seat on the back to be able to better manage the prop.
I am hoping some of you have some experience with a few of these, as I would love some feedback. My only Scadden purchase was the Outlaw Air Craft float tube for backbacking. I bought it when it was advertised at a certain weight specifically for backpacking, and I weighed it upon arrival and even without the detachable seat it weighed double what they advertised. I tried to get my money back and return the float tube, so I could get float tube that weighed under 8 pounds somewhere else, and was told so I am a little jaded with Scadden. The Air Craft is a great tube, I still use it, but I always take Scadden specs with a grain of salt now. I noticed they no longer have the weight listed for the tube, so I am guessing I wasn't the only one that complained.
Top picks
My favorite is the Outcast Pac 1200.....but it only seats two so it's out.
Outcast Pac 1300: Awesome raft, but looks like it would be awkward with a prop on the back.
Does anyone know if a transom mount extension from the frame is an option?
Scadden: We have several options that seat 3. My favorite would be the Dragonfly XL3....except the specs aren't on the website. Meanwhile the XL3 HD does have specs, and it's listed at 14' even, and 75 inches wide, which makes one inch wider than what my trailer can fit fully inflated.
Does anyone know if those specs are accurate? As it is, it would work with what I have.
Next up would be the Scadden Dragonfly XCT3 Pro Guide, but it seems really narrow.
Has anyone floated it? Would it be safe to take down the A section of the Green with 2 kids? Would it track well with a trolling motor, and can you get a rear seat that pivots to help control the trolling motor?
Any advice or product I am not considering? Just because the XCT3 fits on the trailer and has the transom mount on the frame, I am leaning there, but with it so narrow I am a little concerned about the stability.
Thanks in advance!
I also have the money to buy sonar of whatever sort can work on a raft, and will add that as quickly as possible.
Parameters include width is less than 74 inches, and length less than 14'1", as that is the dimension of my utility trailer I currently own, and I don't have room for or want another trailer. With the desire for the transom trolling motor, I would like to have the option to have a swivel seat on the back to be able to better manage the prop.
I am hoping some of you have some experience with a few of these, as I would love some feedback. My only Scadden purchase was the Outlaw Air Craft float tube for backbacking. I bought it when it was advertised at a certain weight specifically for backpacking, and I weighed it upon arrival and even without the detachable seat it weighed double what they advertised. I tried to get my money back and return the float tube, so I could get float tube that weighed under 8 pounds somewhere else, and was told so I am a little jaded with Scadden. The Air Craft is a great tube, I still use it, but I always take Scadden specs with a grain of salt now. I noticed they no longer have the weight listed for the tube, so I am guessing I wasn't the only one that complained.
Top picks
My favorite is the Outcast Pac 1200.....but it only seats two so it's out.
Outcast Pac 1300: Awesome raft, but looks like it would be awkward with a prop on the back.
Does anyone know if a transom mount extension from the frame is an option?
Scadden: We have several options that seat 3. My favorite would be the Dragonfly XL3....except the specs aren't on the website. Meanwhile the XL3 HD does have specs, and it's listed at 14' even, and 75 inches wide, which makes one inch wider than what my trailer can fit fully inflated.
Does anyone know if those specs are accurate? As it is, it would work with what I have.
Next up would be the Scadden Dragonfly XCT3 Pro Guide, but it seems really narrow.
Has anyone floated it? Would it be safe to take down the A section of the Green with 2 kids? Would it track well with a trolling motor, and can you get a rear seat that pivots to help control the trolling motor?
Any advice or product I am not considering? Just because the XCT3 fits on the trailer and has the transom mount on the frame, I am leaning there, but with it so narrow I am a little concerned about the stability.
Thanks in advance!