Another Competitor in the Single Man Raft World

SurfnFish said:
For those experienced, what model/make would you prefer for still water only, and what would be the advantage over a float tube?
Click to expand...
I mainly fish streams but I fish a private lake with a club once or twice a month from Oct-May at a private lake we stock. I also fish other lakes from time to time. For lakes with just a short walk to the put-in I have a WM Kodiak and an Outcast SFC. I can't comment much on other makes and models but these are some of the things I consider with the choices I have.
  • I usually carry the WM to-from partially inflated on my SUV roof rack so a few strokes with my K400 and it's up to pressure. Setup and takedown is more complex if I'm going to rig with the several addon pockets, oars and the BSI anchor system. Cleaning, drying and packing up for long term storage also takes more time and space.
  • I also usually carry the SFC partially inflated in the back of the SUV. A few strokes with a cheap dbl action pump also gets it up to pressure and from there generally takes less time and effort for setup and takedown even with a simple anchor rig. Cleaning, drying and packing up for storage takes much less time and space.
  • My highback WM seat with a small backpacking inflatable sit pad on it is quite comfortable so there's not really a any difference with the SFC inflatable seat.
  • I sit higher in the WM that makes casting a little easier. I don't use a pee bottle on the water :oops: so no difference there.
  • But I can use the WM oars to go faster - farther from point A to point B (or to shore for a bio break 😥). "Float tubes" with oars but without a foot rest and legs dragging in the water seems like it would be next to useless.
  • My depth finder mount works with either the WM or SFC. The WM has tons more room for gear and rod storage. If I want just one or sometimes even two rods with less setup-takedown and packup-storage time and space, I generally choose the SFC.
  • Of course the SFC is smaller and lighter to carry if there is any walking to do!
  • The private lake I fish is in a deep bowl and sheltered from wind but for holding position without deploying an anchor my SFC is less affected by drift from wind because of the low profile and drag from my legs.
  • However if fishing in windy-choppy conditions the WM is safer.
  • For winter fishing I use 5mm neoprene stockingfoot waders and 7mm dive boots over the wader feet. Even when I rig oars I like using fins for propulsion to keep both hands free. In winter I normally choose the extra setup for the WM because I'm up out of the water and only my lower leg and feet are in the water so I stay a lot warmer.
One thing that I believe is unique to the WM is a sturdy plywood seat thwart that the kayak style folding seat attaches to. Despite the WM's excellent stability I haven't considered it for myself but I have seen videos of some guys who stand up on the seat for better casting and vision. There were even some videos I can no longer find of a young guy and his Dad who fashioned lean bars from PVC pipe for their Kodiaks so they can do it (somewhat more) safely. The optional WM floor also can be used for standing up.
 
For those experienced, what model/make would you prefer for still water only, and what would be the advantage over a float tube?
 
Brian Miller said:
I mainly fish streams but I fish a private lake with a club once or twice a month from Oct-May at a private lake we stock. I also fish other lakes from time to time. For lakes with just a short walk to the put-in I have a WM Kodiak and an Outcast SFC. I can't comment much on other makes and models but these are some of the things I consider with the choices I have.
  • I usually carry the WM to-from partially inflated on my SUV roof rack so a few strokes with my K400 and it's up to pressure. Setup and takedown is more complex if I'm going to rig with the several addon pockets, oars and the BSI anchor system. Cleaning, drying and packing up for long term storage also takes more time and space.
  • I also usually carry the SFC partially inflated in the back of the SUV. A few strokes with a cheap dbl action pump also gets it up to pressure and from there generally takes less time and effort for setup and takedown even with a simple anchor rig. Cleaning, drying and packing up for storage takes much less time and space.
  • My highback WM seat with a small backpacking inflatable sit pad on it is quite comfortable so there's not really a any difference with the SFC inflatable seat.
  • I sit higher in the WM that makes casting a little easier. I don't use a pee bottle on the water :oops: so no difference there.
  • But I can use the WM oars to go faster - farther from point A to point B (or to shore for a bio break 😥). "Float tubes" with oars but without a foot rest and legs dragging in the water seems like it would be next to useless.
  • My depth finder mount works with either the WM or SFC. The WM has tons more room for gear and rod storage. If I want just one or sometimes even two rods with less setup-takedown and packup-storage time and space, I generally choose the SFC.
  • Of course the SFC is smaller and lighter to carry if there is any walking to do!
  • The private lake I fish is in a deep bowl and sheltered from wind but for holding position without deploying an anchor my SFC is less affected by drift from wind because of the low profile and drag from my legs.
  • However if fishing in windy-choppy conditions the WM is safer.
  • For winter fishing I use 5mm neoprene stockingfoot waders and 7mm dive boots over the wader feet. Even when I rig oars I like using fins for propulsion to keep both hands free. In winter I normally choose the extra setup for the WM because I'm up out of the water and only my lower leg and feet are in the water so I stay a lot warmer.
One thing that I believe is unique to the WM is a sturdy plywood seat thwart that the kayak style folding seat attaches to. Despite the WM's excellent stability I haven't considered it for myself but I have seen videos of some guys who stand up on the seat for better casting and vision. There were even some videos I can no longer find of a young guy and his Dad who fashioned lean bars from PVC pipe for their Kodiaks so they can do it (somewhat more) safely. The optional WM floor also can be used for standing up.
Click to expand...
good stuff, appreciate the thoughtful reply.
 
DKL said:
Looks pretty nice - not cheap, but it looks like a quality raft.

www.nrs.com

NRS Boundary 100 Personal Fishing Raft

Featuring an open-floor design, the Boundary 100 combines the maneuverability of a raft with the versatility of a kickboat. Oars and a micro-frame help anglers confidently navigate current and light whitewater, while the open floor lets anglers use fins to float flatwater or access the banks.
www.nrs.com www.nrs.com
Click to expand...
I was looking @ these compared to the Outcast Clearwater or Flycraft Recon
 
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