Anyone have experience with frameless pontoons?

[StacyR]

I need a craft I can shove in my compact hatchback and haul up a flight of stairs into my apartment. Don't want a float tube because I want to be able to strap a motor to it so I can get back to shore quickly if the wind should kick up. I've seen the water go from minor ripples to 2' whitecaps in the space of 15 minutes. Yes, I know having a motor would require registering it as a boat.

This would be for fishing on the Boise ponds, Lake Lowell and reservoirs like Lucky Peak, Arrowrock or CJ. I don't anticipate doing any river float trips, but it would be nice to have the option.

Right now I'm looking at the NFO Renegade and Sea Eagle 285.

http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2012catalog/page6.html

http://www.seaeagle.com/FramelessPontoonBoats.aspx

I like the Sea Eagle's closed floor, solid seat and elevated seating position better than the Renegade. The Renegade has a longer warranty and higher weight limit. It has a lifetime warranty, but I've heard bad things about NFO's warranty service.

Does anyone have any experience with these crafts or can suggest an alternative?
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[cpierce]

You should also post your questions on the float tube forum. It is also a forum for pontoons and there are a number of NFO owners on there. http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/gforum.cgi?forum=81

Yes, I have a NFO Renegade and I love it. There is plenty of room for a good electric motor and battery. I suggest that you get a 40-50lb electric. I have an old 25lb electric and it pulls it fine for most of what I need, although slower than you would want.

There are some tricks to know about putting a motor on a pontoon of any kind. The motor needs to pull the pontoon, and not push it.

What you do is you loosen the screws on the head of the motor and turn the head around and then retighten the head. that way when you mount the motor on the back it will pull your pontoon using the forward speeds of your motor.

I suggest you look on the float tube forum for the wealth of info on there. The Renegade also kicks and rows very easily. It is responsive, but does well in the wind. It is rated for rivers and class V rapids if you have the urge to try them.

I am a 60 yr old woman and I have no trouble throwing it into the back of my pickup or toting it down to the water. It folds up and will pack into a bag, but the first few times will be the hardest. After that it kind of breaks in and is easier to fold. It fits in the trunk of my Subaru SUS sedan. I usually use the pickup to transport it, but that is because I have the choice, and I like to have it mostly ready to go.

It also depends on the kind of fishing you do. I like that I sit down where I can use fins to maneuver and hold my place in the water. I also like that I can use it to float rivers, and I can easily stand to wade fish or get in and out.

The workmanship and materials are awesome. It should last me just about forever. It is one tough boat.
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[idahoron]

Here is a craft that is similar to the NFO but a lot less expensive. I don't know anything about this boat first hand. Ron

http://creekcompany.com/product.php?productid=16318
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[forgiven]

Talk with Utahflygoddess she has a lot of experiance with those types of crafts.
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[water-walker]

I have a renegade and it is the best i reserched every pontoon and for the money they cant be beat. I love to take it on my 4-wheeler to mountain lakes use the 12 volt pump and you are fishing in less than 5 min.. also there are some great options for it. just my 2 cents.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I have rigged several Fat Cats to hold a series 27 deep cycle battery and a 40# thrust electric. Definitely adds to your range and improves your chances of making it back in when a zephyr comes up.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have also tricked out a Renegade. See pic. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I prefer the Fat Cat for compact size and quick set up and boogie. Renegades are the epitome of design, floatation and multi-option propulsion. Best of all worlds with oars, fins and motor. Also greatest floatation and safety under almost any conditions. You just gotta decide what kind of fishing you will do most and what your primary concerns are.[/#0000ff]
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[poky-mon]

I don't know if Flygoddess sold hers yet She had an NFO for sale you could pm her and see if she still has it It was for a good price and inn excellent condition
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[bearlakebob]

I have a sea eagle foldcat 12 ft that folds up in a bag. I put side boards on it so you can mount a fish finder, poll holder umbrella electric motor . they cost obout $ 1100 new mine is in perfect shape and 2 years old and it just hap[pens to be for sale . if interested .PM me and well discuse it bearlakebob.
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[flygoddess]

I have several NFO's. It is the only choice for me after past experiences. The things you have heard about warranty? If there is a problem I know Dave goes above and beyond the call. Most problems are self imposed.

That 9' X 4' Seaeagle weighs twice as much as a Renegade which is 9' X 56" Renegade. Wider means more stable...yes you can stand on this boat, and no wood slats.

I drive a Suzuki Grand Vitara. I haul my Renegade with the floor inflated, moto, battery, motormount, sonar, fins, oars, and all the other gear in my Zuk. TD has seen this.



The boat weighs "28" lbs, how easy is that! and it is easy to pack on your shoulders



Note: this was up hill.

I have had this boat out on Henry's and Strawberry with 3' waves, no worries.

You mentioned an interest in a raised seat. You can get a frame or just a seat section which is not in the catalog yet, but I have seen it. A small frame that straps to the seat area, but makes putting a platform seat on possible. Frame looks like the middle seat here

http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2012catalog/page9.html

If you are buying the boat to fish out of, have your feet/fin in the water allowes more finese. More controll. These boats and I am sure that includes Seaeagle, do not steer well at slow speeds.

The new ODC is interesting but several ideas they are showing have been done before without good results. Does not appear to be a lot of room behind the seat and the whole boat is IN the water meaning a bigger foot print, meaning more drag, not as maneuvering. But Creek Co. is like Bayliner. Offers nice looking/good product for a low price.
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[StacyR]

Thank you for the input, everyone. I'm leaning toward the Renegade, but I don't plan on buying until spring. I would need to buy a pair of waders. Is it better to buy waist or chest waders? I'm too tall for women's waders, so I would need a set of men's waders.

The show prices on their site are the same as the year round price at Cabela's. I live about three blocks from the Boise store, so I can use their free shipping to the store service. If I wait until they have one of their discount promotions, I can get them to cover taxes too.
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[flygoddess]

Stacy, I am not all that tall being just shy of 5'8", but I do have a 36" inseam, so I do buy mens. I am going to break down this year however and order some custo, Simms (not that much to make them longer)
Problem with mens is the feet are to big and thus, you by bigger boots and never get a good fit. If I don't pull the foot on my waders just right before putting on my boots, my feet get squished and go numb.

As for the Renegade...you only need HIP waders. Another big advantage to the real thing[]
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