School me on Pontoon boats.

[ghosthunter]

OK I have had this idea for a while now. I want to get a used one person pontoon boat and use it for duck hunting in small lakes and back waters. I have the idea to modify the back storage deck so it can be adjusted for size out the back. Thus my dog could ride back there.
I have a 16 ft boat but want a smaller set up for those low water level areas and easier handling into limited access areas.

I know nothing about pontoon boats. Just what I have read. If you were buying one what would you look for? And has anyone seen a set up similar to this? I am trying to get this set up for next season. Work the bugs out this summer when the water is warm.

I am a big boy as they say about 270 lbs Dog is about 60 lbs or less. So a 400 lb total capacity needed.
Dekes can be floated in my sled behind.

So any advice?

[KFhunter]

I got the camoflauge water skeeter



You're a bit heavier than I by about 50 lbs.  I tried to put a deep cycle battery and trolling motor on the back and it was too heavy and rode poorly in the water - but it worked.

I think it would work fine for what you want, but definatly wear waders.  You can rotate the foot pegs up out the way and walk between the pontoons with a hand on each side of you on the pontoon rails - very nice to walk in the muck that way and launch the boat. 

your dog wouldn't be able to climb on the back without help in deep water, but you could back up to the bank and it'd be fine then.  A piece of plywood and some carpet would do fine.
The motor bracket is in the way though and can't removed without removing the whole rear basket.

It's heavy!  I leave it inflated in the truck and drag it down to the water.  Pain to inflate - the electric 12v inflaters won't push air hard enough to inflate it - the valve requires a good amount of air pressure to push past it.  I use the shop air compressor or I have a push/pull pump that I can hook and do it by hand but it's slow and tiresome.

[KFhunter]

they make kick fins - but I never could get them to work well for me so I trashed them.

I end up rowing forward more than rowing backwards, you just can't power row them swiftly so easy and slow does it - just as easy to go forward as back 

I fish the rivers with it and love it for that, but a kayak would be better at going against the current if you want to hit a back eddy again.


If you were handy with a welder, it would be super easy to make a big platform on the rear - I'd even put some floatation under the platform for if a dog was on the back so you aren't riding nose high in the water.  Do it do is your unloaded the floatation is out of the water 

[ghosthunter]

Thanks good idea. I am transgressing a little. Looking at Mini pontoon boats too.
Metal toons and flat deck . Hummmmmmm?

[KFhunter]

Thanks good idea. I am transgressing a little. Looking at Mini pontoon boats too.
Metal toons and flat deck . Hummmmmmm?

If you can launch it I'd go bigger for sure - no brainer.


This thing shines when you got to drag it off from a wide spot in the highway, over the guard rail, cross a barbwire fence and down a boulder field to hit the water 

[TheHunt]

I have a Steelheader pontoon boat for fishing.  It hold like 1K lbs or something like that.

http://www.steelheader.com/

BUT when the wind is blowing like 40 MPH it is very difficult to control. It draws only 1 inch of water.  So it pushs you all over if it is blowing hard.

[Button Nubbs]

I have a Steelheader pontoon boat for fishing.  It hold like 1K lbs or something like that.

http://www.steelheader.com/

BUT when the wind is blowing like 40 MPH it is very difficult to control. It draws only 1 inch of water.  So it pushs you all over if it is blowing hard.

Been down the duc yet?

[HuntandFish]

If your going to use it allot and/or for rivers/whitewater don't go cheap or small. Steelheader as mentioned above is a great boat, high capacity (and honestly with your size and a dog anything smaller will not work) they sit high above the water and and draft very little water, and come with an optional anchor package so you could hunt right out of it in open water as its a very stable platform for shooting!

I have run class IV stuff on mine, if your rowing ability is up to the challenge these boats are!

Good luck,
H&F

[KFhunter]

that bigger one would be a lot better, but he's looking for a uses 1 man pontoon - tells me his budget is about 100 bucks.

[ghosthunter]

Thanks for the input guys. Those are both nice. I don't plan on any fast moving river use. I am kind of a wus.
I have some lakes I can hunt in my area. And slow moving sloughs.
I was thinking used to start to see how the idea works and than maybe new.

I am thinking I can cut the rear deck and add a longer one that could be taken on and off as needed. The extra floatation is a good idea. Something I have not thought of.

Kf that is a hot looking rig.

[TheHunt]

I have a Steelheader pontoon boat for fishing.  It hold like 1K lbs or something like that.

http://www.steelheader.com/

BUT when the wind is blowing like 40 MPH it is very difficult to control. It draws only 1 inch of water.  So it pushs you all over if it is blowing hard.

Been down the duc yet?

I am signed up for a white water class this April.  At that point I think I will have some clue what I am doing.     I have been on some very slow moving water.  Yes, I am not interested in drowning when I am getting so close to retirement.

[aaronoto]

I think you're going to find its gonna be hard to find a pontoon that'll have the capacity to hold 400lbs.  Most 9' pontoons are in the 325-350lb range. You'll probably have to go at least 11' and to find one of those used is rare and if you're looking new it's gonna be expensive.

The smaller pontoons can be tough to balance too, especially if you plan to have a dog on the back. You'll really have to play around with the frame placement in order to get the pontoons floating level when you're fully loaded.

Having rowed a 9' pontoon around local lakes quite a bit while fishing, I really don't think it would be my first choice to hunt with.  If I were to go the inflatable route I think I would get a Watermaster.  But at that price, I would rather get a good marsh boat instead and forget about an inflatable all together.  I've been super happy with my Aquapod, and had I paddled one before I bought my pontoon, I wouldn't have even considered a pontoon.  Any reason you aren't looking at a marsh boat?

[snowpack]

I have a Steelheader pontoon boat for fishing.  It hold like 1K lbs or something like that.

http://www.steelheader.com/

BUT when the wind is blowing like 40 MPH it is very difficult to control. It draws only 1 inch of water.  So it pushs you all over if it is blowing hard.

Been down the duc yet?

It's not that bad on pontoons.  It'll eat a drift boat in places and it kind of sucks for yaks.  If you're into yakking--try the Sitkum.   

[woodywsu]

http://www.catchercraft.com/

These guys will custom make anything. I highly suggest you contact them

[ghosthunter]

http://www.catchercraft.com/

These guys will custom make anything. I highly suggest you contact them

Those are nice

thanks