Maiden Voyage

[buckdawg]

I took my new pontoon out today for the first time. my rear end got a little wetter than I anticipated, i'm at least a full 100 lbs under the reported max so that has me a bit concerned. i think that the colder water contracted the toons a bit so i went back ashore and filled up. unfortunately i don't have one of those double action hand pumps to take out on the water with me. do you guys usually have to top off on the water?

otherwise i loved it!!!!! out on the water, just me and ducks (i'm sure they were like, what the $%^@ is this yay-hoo doing out here?). it was a little windy so I didn't get too adventurous. while I did earn the rowing merit badge as a boy scout it has been some time since i actually have applied that knowledge [cool]

today was a 'get to know' experience with my new boat so i didn't do any fishing. i did try the fins out and i have to say i'm impressed at how easily the craft maneuvers with those things. i kicked around for a little, rowed a little and had a good time.

if the weather holds i may go back out tomorrow with a rod and see if i can't do any damage. sorry no pics today, i didn't want to chance the camera on open water until i get a little more comfortable.
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]The fact that you got a little wet could depend on what boat you have. I have noticed that some sit a lot lower (seat wise).[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]Have seen some take a regular swivel pedestal for big boats and mount it to get them up a little higher[/size][/black]
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[Playas44]

I don't know what kind of toon you have, but I have two different ones. On both I have had to move the rigging a little forward on the poontoons and then it sets much more level.
It makes a difference with the amount of gear you put on the back deck also.
Slide it a little forward on the poontoons and give it a try.
Enjoy.
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[buckdawg]

[]Thanks for the tips!

It rides fairly level now...maybe tips a little back. i did try moving it forward but i moved it too much and my feet were completely submerged. [shocked]

I'll tinker with it some tomorrow and see if I can come up with something.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]During the colder months it is not uncommon for air chambers to lose some volume (not air) due to cooling after initial inflation. If you have to carry your craft uninflated and then air it up when you get to the water, make that the first thing you do when you get there. Air it up good and tight and then finish getting dressed and geared up. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Before you launch, check the tightness of the cover and if it has shrunk a bit, top it off with a bit more air. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Walmart has some cheapie two way pumps for about $10. We got one in a package deal when we bought some gear from someone who was no longer able to go tubing. It is small but TubeBabe still uses it and is able to get her ride aired up about as fast as I do with my pricier pump. It is also small enough that you can easily store it on board, with a bungee cord, if you are paranoid. It is the purty little red pump in the picture.[/#0000ff]


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[buckdawg]

[]Yep. Buying an air pump is definitely on my to-do list today. Thanks.

I know I'm a fairly stout fellow but really wasn't expecting the wet rear end. It's not that big a deal I just wanted to see if I was doing something wrong. I'm scared to death of overinflating so I was thinking that I had underinflated. The cover is tight and there's only a little give when i push on the 'toon with my thumb so I think I'm doing things right.
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[buckdawg]

Took it out again today. My keister still got wet but nearly as bad as yesterday. The biggest factor I think was wind. Yesterday wind was 10-15 mph and there was a little chop on the water. Today was much milder, I'd say 2-5 mph tops...virtually no wave action.

Unfortunately the river was an ugly ugly mess. There was lots of flotsam and jetsam floating on top. Tree branches, tree chunks, pieces of tree bark, beer bottles, ice chests, you name it it was probably floating out there somewhere.

Now for the review. I really like this boat. It's light enough I can carry with little effort. Even though it's fairly large (8' x 4') it's not that awkward to pick up and carry. I transport it directly on top of my car with no problems (knock on wood)! Once on the water it rows real nice ('course I wasn't fighting with the wind today either![]) and even just using the fins I'm able to 'aim' the thing in the right direction pretty easily and can even move the craft pretty well with just the fins.

I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm totally hooked! It's really more than I could have expected.

I plan on rigging up a couple rod holders this weekend and I've asked for a fish finder for my birthday (next week) so I should be large and in charge here pretty quick like. I owe most of what I know to the fine folks here at this site. Thanks a bunch guys!

P.S. If I wasn't scared to death of taking my camera out on the water with me I'd post pics. Maybe if I ever catch something I'll be more motivated to take the camera out there![]
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]So, what is the make of your Pontoon?[/size][/black]
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[buckdawg]

Sorry. Dur![blush]

It's the Creek Company Classic. It's a new model for 2007. Currently they're running a free shipping special and it's only 199.99. Hopefully it ends up being a good entry type craft and can last me a couple years.


[url "http://www.creekcompany.com/...ryAutoID=6&Cat=3"]http://www.creekcompany.com/...ryAutoID=6&Cat=3[/url]


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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]Looking at this Pontoon being 8' long with 16" diameter pontoons, plus the cloth seat.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]It looks like the frame drops down.....a lot, putting you much closer to the water (I suppose better for wind resistance).[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]The PVC bladders are on the thin side, meaning that temp. is really going to effect this pontoon.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]Plus, eight feet long isn't giving you a lot of adjusting.[/size][/black]
[black][size 3]Not knowing how much you weigh, I will say if you are over 200lbs, you better get use to getting wet. Maybe get some waiste high waders.[][/size][/black]
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[buckdawg]

Let's just say that the last I saw 200 lbs. was my senior year in high school! about 16 years ago.[][shocked]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will invest in a decent pair of waders. I plan on trying some wading this summer anyways.
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[flygoddess]

[black][size 3]Plus remember, if you add a motor to this, you will be adding 50 to 60 more pounds.[/size][/black]
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