Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: jettabambino on April 08, 2017, 10:31:25 AM
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Ok I admit it. I am sick of fishing from shore. I am looking for something to fish the local lakes and interior lakes. I am a bigger dude so I don't want anything mickey mouse. I have some questions for you guys.
1. I cant swim. Ok get your laughing over with. I wear a life jacket in the car toppers I have been in. my worry is with the pontoon boats.... what happens if a pontoon starts to leak or loses air. do they slowly lose air giving me a chance to get back to shore or do they just go.... For this reason I am thinking car topper.
2. If I go with a car topper, my main concern is space. I will find space for it but its got to be a pain in the but to transport it. I would then need to buy a trailer. and then a motor.. and then a battery and then and then and then.
do any of you have a pontoon that has popped and experienced what happened? Is it common?
I managed to lose my flipper in a belly boat and it was a long frustrating kick back to camp.
looking for some guidance from you experts . please keep the hazing to a minimum. lol
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Boating and swimming are barely related. You go boating because you don't want to swim. Kind of like pilots fly and parachutist jump. Wear a pfd and don't worry about it. Get the boat that fits what you think you want to do. I presently have 2 or 3 float tubes, 4 pontoon boats, an inflatable canoe, an 8' wooden punt, an 11' alum project and an 20' jet and I have never had to swim.
You, like all new boat owners, are under the impression that you are going to research your choice and get "your" ultimate boat but that isnt reality. Probably a tube then maybe a pontoon, because you are tired of having to pee, then you'll add an electric but can't keep batteries charged. Then you'll look at a small cartopper because the wife/girlfriend/kids/grandkids don't like being left behind and you'll "only use the motor to move from spot to spot" etc, etc. until you end up with a small armada.
At least that's how it went for me.
And, FYI, tubes have an inflatable backrest for backup flotation, pontoons have at least two bladders.
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Boating and swimming are barely related. You go boating because you don't want to swim. Kind of like pilots fly and parachutist jump. Wear a pfd and don't worry about it. Get the boat that fits what you think you want to do. I presently have 2 or 3 float tubes, 4 pontoon boats, an inflatable canoe, an 8' wooden punt, an 11' alum project and an 20' jet and I have never had to swim.
You, like all new boat owners, are under the impression that you are going to research your choice and get "your" ultimate boat but that isnt reality. Probably a tube then maybe a pontoon, because you are tired of having to pee, then you'll add an electric but can't keep batteries charged. Then you'll look at a small cartopper because the wife/girlfriend/kids/grandkids don't like being left behind and you'll "only use the motor to move from spot to spot" etc, etc. until you end up with a small armada.
At least that's how it went for me.
And, FYI, tubes have an inflatable backrest for backup flotation, pontoons have at least two bladders.
so does each pontoon have atleast 2 bladders.... so minimum 4?
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I would go zodiac style boat given what you have posted. Good weight capacity, best stability, collapsible, easy to set up. Can row or add a gas or electric motor easily. Can bring a friend when you want.
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That's what I have, an inflatable 3 man raft that takes 15 minutes to set up. Lots of space, stable, and you can toss it into storage when not in use. I swim really well, but always have a fishing type PFD handy when in the boat regardless.
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do you have a picture or brand that I should consider for a raft?
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There are lots of choice, from something like this:
http://rubberboats.com/
To more expensive choices:
http://saturninflatableboats.ca/
Thing to do is youtube the ones your interested in and decide. Even the cheap ones will last a long time as long as you take care of them.
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I am interested in the costco boat. I believe the quality is fine and the price is the quite nice
see the link
(https://images.costco-static.com/ImageDelivery/imageService?profileId=12026539&itemId=413085-894&recipeName=680)
https://www.costco.ca/Hydro-Force%E2%84%A2-Mirovia-Pro-RIB-Inflatable-Boat-Kit.product.100244888.html
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Another vote for inflatable boat. I have a 10' Achilles, folds down into a bag that easily fits in the trunk of a car. It has a rigid inflatable floor. The whole thing takes 10 mins to inflate. It Rows great, I also have an electric and a 2.5 hp outboard for it. It's a slick set up. I picked the boat up on craigslist in excellent shape for $640. They pop up on Craigslist fairly often.
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Tons to choose from, let alone the Hypalon vs. PVC can of worms.
Find something used. I bought an 8ft Maxxon, used it a few times, sold it 5 years later for even money. Don't spend top dollar on a new Aquamarine or upmarket Stryker who are plastered all over Craigs.
As mentioned by others in this thread, they pop up often on Craigs, just pounce QUICKLY when you see one in the length you want for $400-700.
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Good read ...
http://inflatableboatworks.com/?p=1796
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I would go zodiac style boat given what you have posted. Good weight capacity, best stability, collapsible, easy to set up. Can row or add a gas or electric motor easily. Can bring a friend when you want.
Agreed on this. Save your money and don't buy a new one that's cheaper, just keep looking on craigslist....Achillis, Polaris, Avon, Zodiac (only the older ones as newer are POS) The new knock off ones won't stand up over a few years.
You should be able to find a decent one for $400-$1000
Don't be afraid of the inflatable floors either
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https://abbotsford.craigslist.ca/boa/6079972700.html
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/boa/6059631866.html This one looks in great shape
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/bnc/boa/6052574596.html
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/boa/6031243423.html
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I have fished from aluminum boats and inflatable as well. I still have my 9.9 ft inflatable with a 55 lb thrust electric motor. Very stable with the aluminum floor in it and never an issue with leaking air with four bladders. I now do most of my fishing on lake's and river's from a 12' kayak. Don't know if u have considered that route. Just food for thought. No batterys or setup required.
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I've been considering a zodiac for a while but feel a little uneasy taking one on the Fraser. Am I just being paranoid?
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You didn't mention a budget - how much will you spend? You didn't mention where you plan to use your water craft.
Basically I would advise - if you can find the space for storage, if you can handle car topping the boat etc - get a good aluminum boat be it a standard 'tinny' or a jon boat. Everything else has downsides the small car topper does not. You need to buy a top quality roof rack from some company like Yakima or Rack attack - that's an investment but worth it. Some Jon boats are not suitable to stand and cast. Wider is better for this but it adds weight.
Buy a quality inflatable. Don't buy a house or off brand unless you can get recommendations from 3 or 4 owners. Aquamarine boats have had a reputation in this group, some of the others - be cautious. Used boats from Achilles, Avon etc, are the best value IMO not the least because they can be restored to like new condition if necessary.
I have never heard of a quality pontoon from a established company like Outcast that 'popped' a pontoon. Cheap ones from Costco or Army and Navy - yes.
Framed pontoons don't have a lot of advantages over small car toppers but have many disadvantages.
Frameless pontoons have a weight and storage advantage.
But almost all pontoons leave you fixed fishing in one direction. This can be hell on your neck.
Pontoons are not well suited to trolling.
You have to wear waders and flippers in pontoons.Your lower legs will mostly be in the water.
With a pontoon you will likely have to go ashore to take a leak.
Quality inflatables are superb. They are tough and stable. With a hard floor you can stand in the boat and feel very safe.
Quality inflatables are probably much safer in any kind of chop than any other choice.
Smaller inflatables store somewhat easier than car toppers and will fit in the trunk of a car.
You will lose time from your day with set up and take down. Inserting floor boards can be a chore.
Inflatables are inferior powerboats - that's why RIBs have become popular.
All inflatable owners will have to deal with leaks. Patching can be a challenge and a moderate to serious leak can scratch a fishing trip.
The usable space in an inflatable is much smaller than a car topper. I have a 10 ft Achilles and the interior space is about as big as a good sized bath tub; room for two.
PVC vs hypalon; hypalon is heavier, easier to patch and more resistant to punctures and UV. It is significantly more expensive.
FWIW I currently have the Achilles and an NFO Frameless pontoon. I mostly use the NFO as it is lighter and setup and take down is shorter. Weight is a big issue for me as I have back problems. I have also owned an 8 foot plywood punt and used a variety of small boats.
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Ok I admit it. I am sick of fishing from shore. I am looking for something to fish the local lakes and interior lakes. I am a bigger dude so I don't want anything mickey mouse.
2. If I go with a car topper, my main concern is space. I will find space for it but its got to be a pain in the but to transport it. I would then need to buy a trailer. and then a motor.. and then a battery and then and then and then.
If a boat is so big or heavy that you have to trailer it, then by definition it is not a cartopper unless you get a truck boat loader but that's serious $$$. Something like a Lowe 1040 only weighs 85 lbs and can be put up on a roof rack by one person and cost same or less than a good brand inflatable. But you need space to store the thing. If you live in an apartment and cant stash a 10ft boat then you're basically limited to a quality inflatable.
You never said what type of fishing you like to do, so consider what accessories you need and how you would do it on your new boat. With aluminum cartopper you can mount anchor locks, rod holders, transducers, drink holders etc literally anywhere you feel like. If you like indicator fishing; ie double anchors, two rods, fish finder, you'll need to think carefully how to secure all that onto your craft and the interior space it will take up.
You said you're a larger guy. One benefit of inflatables is they do tend to have larger max weight capacities due to the buoyancy, which might be important to you.
I will admit lots more inflatables do seem to appear on the used market for very reasonable prices compared to used aluminums IMHO.
Another wild option is a foldable porta-bote. Rigid hull boat that folds totally flat for transport and storage. Never used one but seen a few floating around. Looks neat but $2-3000
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That Achilles posted on the last page is a good deal if it checks out. It looks in great shape and "has never had an outboard mounted". Which means less stress on the transom area and a reduced likelihood of hard beaching etc. If $800 fits your budget, that is a good deal for a hypalon boat.
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Don't forget to look at something like the Walker Bay dinghy. Roto-molded plastic with a wheel in the skeg for one person moving. It also has an inflated pontoon around it for added stability. A lot of sailors use them for the light weight and carrying capacity.
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the extent of my fishing will be trolling flys and some casting.... both flys and gear...
I had a 12 foot inflatable and I found it to be to big and the work after taking it out was a pain - washing it and letting it dry...
in the same token... I am sure that stuff needs to be looked after and its part of the gig...
It looks like inflatable is the way to go.... but maybe not a 12.. maybe a 10 as its a little more easier to manager
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the extent of my fishing will be trolling flys and some casting.... both flys and gear...
I had a 12 foot inflatable and I found it to be to big and the work after taking it out was a pain - washing it and letting it dry...
in the same token... I am sure that stuff needs to be looked after and its part of the gig...
It looks like inflatable is the way to go.... but maybe not a 12.. maybe a 10 as its a little more easier to manager
How large is the boat when it is in storage. will the sedan trunk large enough for it?
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https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/boa/6082656543.html
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I'd avoid the newer Zodiacs...junk compared to the older ones
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well... I think I have decided on a inflatable boat. if anyone has anything they are interested in selling let me know.