looking for a little edvice on a pontoon

[muddydogs]

Well I just found this site, have not been interested in tubing for quite a few years, like say 20. Just pulled my tube out and scored another from my Dad which me and the wife took to Montana and did a little fishing for a couple weeks.

Picked up a couple U tubes off KSL classifieds last week and tried them out today at Lost Creek here in Utah. Found out that I at 6'10" and 300 pounds am to big for a U tube. The front end of the tube took a nose dive and I thought I was going to slide off the seat. Switched back to the industrial sized 20 + year old tube to keep fishing. Wife enjoyed the U tube and really liked how easy it was to get seated instead of the one leg dance you have to do in a standard tube.

I am not that great at the one legged dance anymore, have had some feet and knee trouble so I am considering a pontoon. I am not looking for anything fancy and would like to keep it portable to take camping and use in smaller lakes. If I need a boat I have a 18 foot duck boat and a 12 foot fishing boat in the back yard. I like the idea of being able to walk down the bank and throw the tube in the water and go.

So what do you guys suggest for a good pontoon that won't break the bank? I have found a couple used Sportsmans wearhouse pontoons in some classifieds, what about these?
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]The Sportsmans Warehouse toons are probably a good place to start, if you don't want to spend a lot of money but still want a serviceable craft. The 9' model will handle your size okay.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Probably more weight than you would like to carry very far but there are lots of ways to rig up small wheeled contrivances for short transport situations.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On the other hand, there are quite a few tubes in the mid price range that will handle your size too. The Outcast Fat Cats and the Creek Co. ODC 420 will definitely float you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Welcome back to the dark side.[/#0000ff]
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[idahoron]

I have a sportsman's 9 it is actually a outcast fish cat 9. I like the pontoon a lot. Even though your a big guy like TD said you won't want to carry it much.
I have seen them on KSL and they are a good buy on some of them. If you can get a 8 or a 9 foot model it would be easy to sell if you decide it is not for you. My guess is once you try it your gonna like it. Ron
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[flygoddess]

Not one of the "GUYS" but I agree that the ODC or SFC for the V shaped tubes. Light weight and easy to pack around.

I prefer Pontoons, as I only need wear hip waders, or only get wet to mid calf, but, most of the less expensive pontoons have steel frames that are very heavy. Aluminum is a little lighter. Then the material of the pontoon. Vinyl being heavy, Urethane lighter and bladderless lighter yet, but each means more money.

There are also the Frameless models which are in my opinion, the ultimate...light, strong, and even my old behind can pack one up hill.



But they come at a price.

The wheel comes real handy with pontoons.

Also, try to avoid the ones with very large rockers, as you loos weight capacity.
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[albinotrout]

Welcome to the forum!!! Just curious as to what u tube you were using? There are lots of different styles out there and each one handles different. I would agree on easy to pack and move around the Outcast FatCat. Otherwise a toon is awesome. Here are mine ( I have two of them) one I picked up last year used, the other I bought new in 1995 (both are leigh toons).
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Lots of things you can do with pontoons too. I have the two toons, my wife uses an FC4 v-tube, I also have a caddis u-tube that I pack into small lakes when backpacking, and then three round tubes, two of which the kids use when we go out together.

A lot is based on personal preference. Find what fits you and then go from there. Lot of different companies out there with decent toons to choose from.

Again welcome![cool]
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[muddydogs]

The U tubes are the Outfitter Eagle by Outfitter Expedition.
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[orvis1]

I would either do a super fat cat or and scadden escape they both can handle the weight and can be carried to a lake. The super fat cat would be a bit more packable of the two.
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