Inflatable Fishing Boats

[Fishboy]

If you want to cover lots of water in a short time, use a bass boat. However, in smaller lakes or in bays float tubes are excellent. They aren't fast, but how fast do you need to go to fish a small lake effectively?

The advantage of float tubes is evident in windier conditions. When the wind is around 25 - 30 kms/hr, you can maintain position because you are paddling with your feet....your hands are free to fish and you can turn on a dime. In a canoe or kayak, you have to anchor or have a partner paddle to maintain position.

As for stability, have you ever heard of one capsizing? Obviously, you don't go out when there are whitecaps. However, I often flyfish when most people say it's too windy. You just have to be able to adapt to the conditions.

[troutnmuskiehunter]

Where do you store the beer cooler, tackle box, fishfinder and net?? .......how do you keep the leeches off you?

[joco]

heres one mabe for you.



http://www.usedottawa.com/classified-ad ... gory=boats



joco

[troutnmuskiehunter]

The problem with those type of inflatables is that they have no rugged floor....I'm 210lbs and if I was to try and stand up to stretch my legs in that thing, it would fold in half..

[FreshFish]

The problem with those type of inflatables is that they have no rugged floor....I'm 210lbs and if I was to try and stand up to stretch my legs in that thing, it would fold in half..

I'm 205lbs 6'2, I know what you feel, but I'm looking on getting FishMaster 325 it's solid, I was in it with my buddy last year I was able to stand in it at somewhat windy conditions, it has a solid floor insert and wooden bench seats, I'm thinking on buying one for myself this year, put a 40-50 lb thrust trolling motor with two batteries you should be good to go without using a muscle

[troutnmuskiehunter]

That's the one I was thinkin of buying...Le Baron's store only had the Fish Ranger 280 to look at and I didn't like the actual size of it...

So you found it comfortable enough for 2 guys with tackle boxes, cooler and trolling motor batteries? Are you sitting high enough on those 2 wooden benches? What's your view on steering with onll 1 person and windy conditions?

Thanks...

[FreshFish]

That's the one I was thinkin of buying...Le Baron's store only had the Fish Ranger 280 to look at and I didn't like the actual size of it...

So you found it comfortable enough for 2 guys with tackle boxes, cooler and trolling motor batteries? Are you sitting high enough on those 2 wooden benches? What's your view on steering with onll 1 person and windy conditions?

Thanks...

It's bigger than 280, cause I was in it too with a cooler, tackle box and etc, two guys over 6 feet , too close for comfort , plus to row it's difficult, cause you sit low

325 has better sitting position and since your knees aren't where your ears are , you can row better plus that leg space now used by your equipment. I was there with a buddy we had no problems, plus it's more convenient to cast-out. The floor in it it good too. One person in it considering flat bottom, is a bit tougher, but I was able to row myself for a whole day , the trolling motor can do it for you in windy conditions.

ps. I feel like a commercial, lol

[Flyfisher]

Lots of talk here about float and pontoon boats.
You can choose between a float tube to the double takeII pantoon boats on www.flyboat.ca
There are pontoon boats with a platform and a lean too up front, will hanfle up to 500 Lbs. Check the videos on that site, a couple of guys do rapids, they are practically un-flippable.

As for puncturing the tubes, most people blow up the pontoons like a drum, you have to go with the temperature, soft in hot weather and will harden with heat and hard in cold weather. The new material used today is so tough, you can't pierce it with a hook.

Drop by the Fly Fisher Society's open house on May 15 Th. there will be several models too see and choose from.

At www.flyboat.ca look for the model "Bass Guide" and "Fish Guide" two excellent pontoon boats at a real good price.

[troutnmuskiehunter]

Thanks for the info flyfisher....what is the price of those two models and what is the weight of the entire kit when disassembled? I'm looking for something that I can pack onto my ATV. Are those transom mounts I see on those 2 models for electric motors?

[getnjiggywithit]

Trouthunter
Here are a couple of links you might find interesting
http://www.outcastboats.com/outcastboats/
http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/homepagedirectory.html
cheers

[mosquito]

Float tubes are great for smaller lakes and not so cold water (with several layers of longjohns one can float in 39F water, but I don't do it anymore). They are very portable and very stable. I have been using them for over 10 years and went through quite a few models . Most of them can take around 300 lb and big enough to comfortably accomodate even very big guys. That's on plus side. Now about minus side. First, you will need waders, and preferably good ones (= $$$). It will set you back for about 250$ to start but in reality 300$-350$ ). You don't want floating around wet do you? Second, you will need flippers. The cheapest ones you can buy at LeBaron for about 40$, but soon enough you will want something a bit lighter and more comfortable (>100$). Third, ALL tubes will eventually leak. Not just cheap models for 150$, 450$ models will leak too. Maybe a bit later, but they will eventually leak. It is just something you have to live with. Fourth, be prepared to stay away from beer. Taking a leak in the middle of a lake wearing waders can be problematic. Are the tubes easy to puncture? Not really if you carefull enough. And YES, you CAN pierce them with a hook, even new models. I did it four times so far, nothing fatal though. It is much worse when the tubes' bladders start to leak around their valves or seams. You suddenly find that one of the tube's bladders is almost empty and you can't inflate it anymore. It happened to me twice, and not on cheapies. Fortunately all the tubes have more than one bladder and you will get to the shore all right, just a bit scared.
Other than that, they are great - quiet, portable, light, just name it. I don't really want to turn anyone away from them, but I guess it is better to know a few things you don't see in their commercials.

[Flyfisher]

Did you see the cost of Outcasts ? all in US dollars.
Very very expensive,
There are other manufacturers out there with much more reasonable pricing.
Do your research before you buy.

[Tip-up]

-Andrew

[Flyfisher]

The "Day Tripper" float tubes dry weight is 17 Lbs. and comes with a backpack.
Piece of cake carrying this little baby.

Tip-up, send me a PM, I will give you more info

[getnjiggywithit]

This is my third attempt at a response to this thread I typed out a nice detailed response twice in a row and the site messed up and I lost everything
Yes they are expensive but you get what you pay for... how many float tubes that you know of that have a white water rating? and class IV at that?http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/navigator2.html My boat is no longer in production but this boat is very simular to mine... this is not some made in china POS like the ones being offered by the local stores! This is what I consider to be a high end boat! It doesn't leak and doesn't sell for $450 either...
Cheers

I called northforkoutdoors last night and the navigatorII sells for $799 us... Not bad at all for a boat that is hand made in the US useing all top of the line materials and it weighs in at only 18lbs! I think that this will be my next boat...