Post by: bass2elk on February 21, 2011, 03:30:30 PM
Post by: Button Nubbs on February 21, 2011, 03:34:54 PM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 21, 2011, 03:36:56 PM
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.
Post by: jackelope on February 21, 2011, 03:38:23 PM
http://www.steelheader.com/ (http://www.steelheader.com/)
Post by: bass2elk on February 21, 2011, 03:43:53 PM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 21, 2011, 03:47:44 PM
Post by: bass2elk on February 21, 2011, 03:50:07 PM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 21, 2011, 03:59:09 PM
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.
Post by: jackelope on February 21, 2011, 04:18:15 PM
:dunno:
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.
:dunno:
Mine's old and a cheap p.o.s.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on February 22, 2011, 12:50:38 PM
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 (http://www.kofflerboats.com/white_water_prams.html)
A nice one at the show was $1,200.
Post by: sisu on February 22, 2011, 01:28:02 PM
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!That is cheap try 2K to 3000 buy the time you have all the trimmings...
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.
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 (http://www.aire.com) This company has been around for years and produces a fantastic product.
HYSIDE www.hyside.com (http://www.hyside.com) Another high quality company, but I don't know much about them personally
NRS www.nrsweb.com (http://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 (http://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 (http://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 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLcSm8k7OA#)
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on February 22, 2011, 01:48:59 PM
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. :dunno:
Post by: sisu on February 22, 2011, 01:51:35 PM
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.BTW never pay retail, always find a way to get a pro deal or buy used with caution.
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!
Post by: fishcrazy on February 24, 2011, 07:34:34 PM
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
Post by: Swatson on February 27, 2011, 05:09:10 AM
Post by: bass2elk on February 28, 2011, 04:34:38 PM
Post by: Machias on February 28, 2011, 07:12:29 PM
Post by: bass2elk on March 01, 2011, 10:12:08 AM