Pontoon Raft Boats

[bass2elk]

Looking into new Pontoon Raft Boats, any likes or dislikes.  Any specific brand i should stay away from.  For one person pontoons what is the best length, and should i get one that has standing capabilities.

[Button Nubbs]

Don't go cheap. You'll regret it.

[wildmanoutdoors]

If your going to float around on lakes any will likely do. But if your gonna do rivers quality counts! You can expect to pay 700 to 1000 or more for a good cat!
I have 3 outcast fishcat cougers. Pretty good boats and can handle the white water good. I have aluminum frames thet were pinned but I welded them all up for rigidity and low noise.

[jackelope]

How much do you want to spend and what do you hope to use it for?

http://www.steelheader.com/

[bass2elk]

Well i believe predominately rivers as i have a bass boat for lakes.  I would like to spend less than $1000 for one?  but closer to half that.  That being said i dont want crap either.  Which is why i have stayed away from cabelas type models.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Buy a good used boat then. Keep your eyes out. Those Skookums are bad ass! But pricey! Even my cougers go for about a grand each once outfitted. You want a strong frame and good sticks like Cataracs. You dont want to fold a aluminum oar entering a rock garden or a log jam.

[bass2elk]

have you heard any positive things about the Skykomish Sunrise?  I believe its a Dave Scander pontoon or something like that?

[wildmanoutdoors]

Its a quality boat. Much along the same lines as the outcasts. Id upgrade the oars and take it down the Calawah no problem.
Things you want are good oar towers and no pins. the stress from the rowing will elongate the holes and the pins become sloppy. And the frame could eventually fail. Thats why mine are all welded now with bushing for the oar locks.

[jackelope]

Scadden boats are good boats....better than outcast IMO.
 
Less money than the skookums.
I wouldn't worry about standing up on them, especially if you're gonna use them in the rivers.
I stand on the seat in mine when lake fishing. Call me a reckless daredevil.
 

Mine's old and a cheap p.o.s.

[Happy Gilmore]

I checked out an aluminum boat at the sportsman show. The company owner said it can handle pretty good whitewater. It is a two person drift boat which is "REALLY" what most pontoon inflatables are comfortable fishing after a cooler and gear is loaded.

The boat would have fit on my canopy racks and looked 100% indestructable with welded seams and a raise diamond plate floor. It weights 140lbs outfitted.

http://www.kofflerboats.com/white_water_prams.html

A nice one at the show was $1,200.

[sisu]

If your going to float around on lakes any will likely do. But if your gonna do rivers quality counts! You can expect to pay 700 to 1000 or more for a good cat!
I have 3 outcast fishcat cougers. Pretty good boats and can handle the white water good. I have aluminum frames thet were pinned but I welded them all up for rigidity and low noise.

That is cheap try 2K to 3000 buy the time you have all the trimmings...
I would not get anything that would not do 3-4 class water anything under that is a waste of money.

AIRE     www.aire.com   This company has been around for years and produces a fantastic product.

HYSIDE www.hyside.com   Another high quality company, but I don't know much about them personally

NRS      www.nrsweb.com  This company is top notch and will work with you to provide a great boat for serious fishing and serious water

Steelheader   www.steelheader.com

The last company I knew the original owner until he passed away. His daughter runs it now and they have a great product. I own two of these and never regretted buying them as the quality is good PLUS I can fit them into a Cub, T-craft, etc.  Look at bottom link on you tube to see what I mean buy buying a REAL cat instead of these make believe ones by fishermen.


Alaska Series by Gary King    www.alaskaseries.com       This is a great company. Great boats with a fantastic reputation.

One last thing. All of these companies cats or rafts you can LOAD them up with gear for multi-day trips and not a worry in the world about flipping them like a drift boat. Don't get me wrong a drift boat is awesome but the bang for the buck you can't beat an inflatable.


Skookum Products - Steelheader

[wildmanoutdoors]

Lol, 2 to 3 is nothing! Believe me I know. I have a custom framed Aire Super Puma and a Puma. He ain't asking for top of the line, just giving him a place to start with price regarding a minimum quality he would look for.

You forgot the Maravia Spyder also! One of the best boats out there!

If you want to talk expensive, top of the line white water boats, maybe start another thread....he's looking for the best boat for his budget, which his budget s listed.

Oh and if you check, most all 500 and above boats are rated for 3 and 4. Hell my 2 drift boats do 3's and 4's.

Outcast are rated 4 to 5. But I like to beef my frames up. Coarse if its gnarly water like a 5, Ill take the Aires!

I got my 3 cougars for 400 for all 3! There 800 each new. Thats why I have outcasts. They were used once on the Pilchuk and the guys scared the crap out of themselves. Sat in there shop for 2 years and I grabbed em for a song. These guys did not fish either. Just were looking for some fun I guess. 

[sisu]

Lol, 2 to 3 is nothing! Believe me I know. I have a custom framed Aire Super Puma and a Puma. He ain't asking for top of the line, just giving him a place to start with price regarding a minimum quality he would look for.

You forgot the Maravia Spyder also! One of the best boats out there!

If you want to talk expensive, top of the line white water boats, maybe start another thread....he's looking for the best boat for his budget, which his budget s listed.

Oh and if you check, most all 500 and above boats are rated for 3 and 4. Hell my 2 drift boats do 3's and 4's.

Outcast are rated 4 to 5. But I like to beef my frames up. Coarse if its gnarly water like a 5, Ill take the Aires!

BTW never pay retail, always find a way to get a pro deal or buy used with caution.

[fishcrazy]

I biult my own monster cat. after doing tons of research I knew one thing. You want good tubes. I would have nothing to do with a tube that has PVC in it in anyway. it won't last because the suns UV rays will brake it down. The way to go is with Polyurethane tubes.

I seen some great frames at the shows over the years but they all cut corners on tube qaulity IMO. they might be willing to use a better tubes if you asked.

Check out Wing inflatables or Sotar. I made mine from 16x26 Sotar tubes. it's 10 years old and the tubes are still great!

I'm thinking of selling mine and biulding some smaller 13' cats that will hall 2 guys and gear.

Someday I hope to be set up so I can biuld custom frames to sell.

Kris

[Swatson]

Skookum!!!!!!!!!