Pontoon Shopping

[noakes]

I'm selling my boat and I want a pontoon in its place. Sportsman Warehouse has their versions of the Outcast cat 10 and Buck Bags High Adventure 9 for about the same price. Then there's the Trout Unlimited Colorado XT at Walmart in the same price range. Any thoughts? Experience?

Thanks!
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[cpierce]

Look them over carefully. Look at the welding, the materials, and even try to find some reviews on them. See how heavy they are and if they fit your needs or style of fishing.

If I were you I would get one that you can put an electric motor on -- maybe not sell yours yet.

I would also go with the Outcast or Bucks Bags before the Walmart or Costco boats. I think their quality is better.

If you haven't done so, then do some searching, reading, and posting on the float tube forum. This subject has been talked about a lot on that forum. http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/gforum.cgi?forum=81
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[idahoron]

have the Sportsmans 9 AKA Outcast fishcat 9. I like my boat a bunch. I haven't seen anything I felt was so amazing I wanted to trade mine in. Here is one I just saw on line. I got mine for 200 used. Ron

http://boise.craigslist.org/boa/2410447295.html
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[noakes]

Thanks. All three have motor mounts and seem to be the best choices for the.money. I like the extra bags and storage on the Walmart one but the two Idaho made ones seem higher quality...
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[Laroo]

I have the Costco version of the trout unlimited, although it is a pretty good boat I would suggest either of the other brands. They are without a doubt higher quality.
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[MatchT]

I have the fishcat 8 and the sportsman's version of the 9'.

Only complaint I have is the rear plate is not a standard feature. The walmart version I believe has a basket to hold gear or the battery for your trolling motor. the rear black mesh that comes with the 9' sportmans' is worthless. it does not stay in place. I bought some white coated shelving from home depot to use as a rear deck for both of my toons and that gets the job done holding the battery. cheap option of about 7 bucks considering the diamond plated deck will cost bout 89 bucks.

Outcast customer support is super. They stand by their product.

Match
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[noakes]

I like the outcast 10 the most and it has the diamond plate also. The bucks has a.battery slot with straps and enough room for a cooler and that's nice too. I think I've ruled out trout unlimited after reading reviews online...
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[ditchbanker]

My dad has two of the Sportsman's 9' he really likes. That said, every time I go out with him on my fishing SOT kayak, I'm glad I'm not in a pontoon. Personal preference.
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[flygoddess]

Just my take on Pontoons.
Bucks are great, USA made, and have dual bladders. Outcast, any boat under 1200 are Asian made, but still the outcast quality (just can't figure out why the price is the same)

You want an Aluminum or a Stainless frame as they will rust. Good welds as already mentioned, the less expensive Costco/Walmart brands do have bad welds on some reports.

Vinyl is not a durable as Urethane, but if you only use the boat casually it should matter. BUT, Vinyl is much more effected by altitude (so travel with it at least slightly deflated) and temperature (so inflate, place in water and get the rest of your gear together, then check air again).
Do NOT fold vinyl either, try to roll.

OUTER COVER is a big thing also. Cloth is not a long time good choice. The PVC coated covers are very nice. Harder to puncture, easier to clean and all around stronger. Plus you can add glue ons[]

Decks, The mesh is nice for lack of weigh, but aluminum really isn't that heavy. Water will drain off the mesh, but you will want waterproof containers.

The Aluminum is great for battery, but one suggestion, cover the deck with some waterproof glue and some outdoor carpeting. Then just add velcro to anything you put on the deck...it will stay put! Plus it does cut down on the reflection and the heat of the deck.

Pontoons are heavy and do require help most the time (except the frameless models)[cool]

Don't forget to get the PFD to go with it, and a Whistle or a Horn.
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[idahoron]

I have looked at that 10 foot outcast for about a year and keep thinking I should get it. Why don't you buy it so I don't! [sly]
Did you look at the used one I sent you a link on? Ron
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[drowning_flys]

Just add water http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=...ch=pontoon

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[flygoddess]

First off, I would turn the head around on that motor. That is a small older motor but should be fine on an eight footer. No battery though, just sayin' that is another $100 or so.
I have not seen the cloth Buck's before, the only ones I have seen are PVC covered, but this has the PVC on the bottom for sharp rocks or bushes in the water.

I am not sure I would pay the $400+ dollars worth minus the motor though, but it is a Bucks.

Good find.
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[drowning_flys]

Thats the way my south fork is, no problems so far and material had held up great. i wish it was all pvc like the wife's bronco but they didn't start that til latter. I would try to wheel and deal on it but if he is firm there are better deals out there Just a mater of being patient and checking classified several times a day because the real deals go fast.
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[flygoddess]

Absolutely, and KSL is my choice. My Brother in-law scored a Cardiac Canyon for $600. from KSL and it looked new!
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[kochanut]

save the $$$$$$$$ for a scadden
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[prvrt]

[quote kochanut]save the $$$$$$$$ for a scadden[/quote]

Ditto!
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[noakes]

I've already got a Minn Kota 30# so I don't need a package but awesome find and thanks everyone for your input. I got the bucks high adventure 9! I haven't had a chance to take it out till later this week but it looks awesome and I'm excited! 445 after tax and I'm pretty pleased with it. Now to make the trial run at dierkies...
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[cpierce]

Nice pontoon!

If you put your motor on it, be sure and modify your motor to pull you. What I mean by that is that you loosen the screw at the base of the motor head and turn the head around until the handle and the prop are both on the same side. Then when you turn the motor on you can just lock it into the straight position and steer with your fins.

A pontoon pulls great with an electric motor, but you can't hardly push one!

See theses two posts:
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/gforu...ead#unread

http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/gforu...ead#unread
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[idahoron]

Remember to licence it. You will also need a life vest and a whistle. After that you can begin the pimping process. Ron
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[noakes]

Where do I register it? I called fish and game and they said I didn't need anything but an invasive species deal from the dmv... I'm new to all this, obviously. I just wanna get in the water and get a walleye or catfish lol
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