These belong to my son, but I have so much invested in him, and the boat lives here, you think I can claim part of the ThunderJet?
These are mine.
These are mine.
Let's see your flotilla😀
- Thread starter Billy
- Start date
cdnred
Life of the Party
I'm in the market to find a nice Colorado XT pontoon or similar for fishing. Something that can handle a small electric motor with battery but they're getting harder to find in good shape for a decent price..Being in a boat somewhere has always been my 'happy place'.
Oh, and I probably should have added the 14' Hewescraft that I recently gifted to my son.
cdnred
Life of the Party
That's a sweet boat for fishing. You got to train those first mates early on how to keep things ship shape..
It is quite a process to get the float tube loaded: I have a dry bag I stuff my Force Fins in along with the stripping apron and rain jacket. Once the dry bag is sealed, I stuff it behind the seat, it almost fits into the space back there. I use a cord to lash my PFD and landing net to the dry bag and for giggles. I cinch all this down and then heft it onto my shoulders. I carry the fly rods (sometimes only two) and my Fishin' Buddy in my hands. I don't know what the float tube with all this gear weighs, but I can feel the load. @Bakerite is wise, he lashes his float tube to an external frame backpack and stuffs his waders into the backpack. I'm contemplating doing the same.So where do you sit..? You need to tow along another raft just to carry your gear..
Wayne Kohan
Life of the Party
Buzzy, I do about the same with the same tube. I got the backpacking straps, and I bought a hip belt to add to it after hiking through the desert with Rich last year. I have a small cargo net to hold my gear in, though I am still tweaking my loading jobs as I have been known to lose things along the way. The cargo net allows me to throw things behind me when fishing and they stay off the floor and don't get wet.
You all with the canoes:
What is you preferred seat/seat back?
I have a wenonah fisherman and a reservoir with trout in walking distance from our home. Canoe gets heavy use but after 1.5 hours i am hurting. Knee pits, back and hips. I have found that if i am fly casting, not casting to targets more than 90 degrees off the bow helps.
Oh and we have a 14 foot Klamath skiff with an 18 hp for kokanee, and an sup
What is you preferred seat/seat back?
I have a wenonah fisherman and a reservoir with trout in walking distance from our home. Canoe gets heavy use but after 1.5 hours i am hurting. Knee pits, back and hips. I have found that if i am fly casting, not casting to targets more than 90 degrees off the bow helps.
Oh and we have a 14 foot Klamath skiff with an 18 hp for kokanee, and an sup
Hey Jerry, tell me about your rowing frame for your kayak. Did you purchase commercially? or have it fabricated specifically for you?
This one has been good—it says GCI outdoors. I think I got it from the ‘zon. Other ones never lasted. Something always broke on the straps.
I have that bad back, and these seat backers from llbean are really comfy. My wife just sits up and chills. At 65# it's on my edge but for two no problems, yet. Sometimes I'll paddle kneeling to break it up, and fish from the middle. You are correct that angular casting range is limited, but it's within the range of my mobility. Two anchors work best, but a pita, so I usually set one with the wind and put the rope along the side to give me the correct angle, yet not swamp me.. Trolling a bugger is so easy, but be sure your rod is safe.
edit: Same brand as @Matt B , only bean logo.
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My friend Engee bought an Outcast float tube without the backpack straps, he fashioned straps from 1/2" soft rope. Used those ONE time before he purchased Outcast's straps. That's what I use is their brand name straps but @Bakerite is wicked fast getting his tube and gear ready to hike into or back to the rig. Outcasts straps work well enough but there is a better way.
My first float tube was a 1980's vintage Caddis donut style, I just carried it on my shoulder.
I like the cargo net suggestion.
This is actually all factory. Frame came with boat as a package. I wish Outcast still made it. It's called the Powerdrifter. Tubes made by Aire. Frame is universal. There's a motorwell that zips away. The oar towers un pin and you can use a kayak paddle. With a small trolling motor this thing flies too.
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ThomasM
corvus ossifragus
I have a Clack Big Eddy on order for delivery this spring but for now...
Maria Scout. Don't see many of these and I'm not sure why as it feels like their sweet spot for a all-around fishing raft. It's a little wider than their Spider or the Aire Super Puma (which I used to own). Probably the cost difference but I like the firm floor and bombproof construction of the Maria's. No folding/rolling this stiff bastard though.
Plus, two of these little beauties - one for me, one for guests courtesy of BDD and Catchercraft.
Also an Outcast Commander for super stealth missions.
I'm near 100% certain I will be going back to my Georgia/Alabama roots and buy a bass boat in the next couple years. Tear assing around lakes in a sparkly Ranger was my modus operandi as a teenager.
Maria Scout. Don't see many of these and I'm not sure why as it feels like their sweet spot for a all-around fishing raft. It's a little wider than their Spider or the Aire Super Puma (which I used to own). Probably the cost difference but I like the firm floor and bombproof construction of the Maria's. No folding/rolling this stiff bastard though.
Plus, two of these little beauties - one for me, one for guests courtesy of BDD and Catchercraft.
Also an Outcast Commander for super stealth missions.
I'm near 100% certain I will be going back to my Georgia/Alabama roots and buy a bass boat in the next couple years. Tear assing around lakes in a sparkly Ranger was my modus operandi as a teenager.
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Old406Kid
Legend
Gawd, don't tempt me.
