Pontoon boat for the Deschutes

[etacada]

Hi, I want to get a pontoon boat (either one or multi person) to float the Deschutes. I want to get one that can handle all sections of the lower river including Whitehorse rapids.

What is the safest minimal size raft to get? Any brand recomandations?

I own a DB and feel that i'm a pretty confident oarsmen but dont want to risk talking my hard boat through rocky rapids.


thanks for the info:) !


Chris

[LunkerFish]

You should check out Water Ready, who is also an Ifish sponsor: http://www.waterready.com/

I personally wouldn't go anything less than 19" diameter tubes and 10 feet in length.

[Slow and Low]

16 foot driftboat is what I use. 14 foot cat should be minimum for multidays (unless you have a bagboat).

Brands are like cars. To each their own. Sotars and Maravias are the best of the best.

[BigSkyHunter]

You should check out Water Ready, who is also an Ifish sponsor: http://www.waterready.com/


I personally have never used Water Ready but because they support iFish I would support them if I was buying a new toon.

[NCL]

I would also suggest Water Ready. Bruce is very knowledgeable and his pontoons are very well constructed.

[12244]

And looks like Bruce rents toons, and does shuttles on the N Santiam, that sounds like fun fishing ahead.

[shad15]

http://www.waterready.com/productpage.asp?id=8

http://www.waterready.com/productpage.asp?id=5

[FishonDon]

Dave Scadden pontoons are also very good, and are rated for up to class V whitewater. The Northwest Exress is 11' and can handle a light pack multi day trip through any rapid on the lower D. I have personally done a 4 day trip in my pontoon, but it has a large deck for a lot of storage. Rowing through those class IVs however, was much easier than they were in my DB. You should probably expect to get just a liitle bit wet.

Just another option. I have never rowed a WaterReady, but they look pretty nice.

[Slow and Low]

Dave Scadden pontoons are also very good, and are rated for up to class V whitewater. The Northwest Exress is 11' and can handle a light pack multi day trip through any rapid on the lower D. I have personally done a 4 day trip in my pontoon, but it has a large deck for a lot of storage. Rowing through those class IVs however, was much easier than they were in my DB. You should probably expect to get just a liitle bit wet.

Just another option. I have never rowed a WaterReady, but they look pretty nice.

How was it straight down the gut of Colorado? The Washingmachine in Whitehorse? Or do you shirt that stuff? Been looking at smaller pontoons b ut am pretty sure I should stick with the DB on the Deschutes.

Again interested to hear how these small boats do in big class 4 water.

[etacada]

I think i'm going to get a 16' fishcraft cataraft. They have a good price and look pretty burly.


thanks for all the info!

take care,

cb

[tangled]

Dude - that 16 foot boat with 25 inch tubes is a bit overkill. If you want a boat for one or two people, that can also act as a support boat for others in kayaks, etc., then a 14 foot with 19 to 22 inch tubes is plenty, especially if the tubes are more straight then rockered which allows them to support more weight (which is good for a fishing boat). The bigger the boat, the more disconnected with the water, which, IMO takes the fun out of the cat in the first place. As well, the smaller diamter tubes make it easier to get in an out of the boat, release fish, are lighter and easier to handle, both on an off the water (they provide a naroower footprint to dodge river obstacles), again IMO. You should row any boat before you spend the bucks and buy one. Not to mention you should not have to spend that kind of money they are seeking to get for a fishcraft, to get a quality boat. Check out Jacks Plastic Welding website who is Bruce's tube supplier. Bruce also sells his boats through Jacks. Take care.

[Mad Mikey]

I've always been of the opinion a pontoon boat is something you can pick up and haul down a short trail, launch in places besides boat launches and get you where you want to go. If it needs a trailer and/or a boat ramp it's a cataraft.

I already had a DB and access to a raft, purchased an 8ft. Southfork so I could launch it in places other boats couldn't and run water other boats couldn't get to.

Without giving up any of my closely guarded trade secrets ;) if you want to be a sneaky son of a gun a little 8 or 9 footer is awesome.

My Southfork has run every rapid on the Deschutes from Warm Springs to Heritage(No, not Sherar's... :laugh: ). Revenue to Dodge, Dodge to OB, select drifts on the upper Wilson and a few other runs I'd rather not talk about.

Not a boat for overnight trips though.

Whitehorse is an absolute kick in a toon, like driving a sports car through a slalom course. I steer clear of washing machines though.

Once I intentionally punched OVER the curl above the big boil in Box-Car(no gear on board) and landed square in the big boil, just to see what would happen...:laugh: I bobbled a bit and then it spit me out. Was kinda' weird sitting there in all that roaring foam and not be able to see my pontoons or lower body/feet etc.. Dang, I'll have to find that pik somewhere, it's pretty cool.

Anyways, if you get the bigger boat you may eventually end up wanting a small one for it's stealth capabilities too.

Anyways, you'll enjoy either one you pick. I'll end with a disclaimer: Don't go beyond your own abilities or the craft's. I've got a lot of experience under my belt, gnarly runs in my toon' that are just another day would be terrifying for someone else. So, just because you've read an internet post of a guy saying he runs Whitehorse in an 8 foot toon' doesn't mean just anyone should run out and try it.... :cheers:

[Slow and Low]

16' is way, way, overkill. I've seen those boays on the river and they are huge. They are also a workout to get on the trailer. You will have zero fun running that boat...but on the other hand you'll be safe.

By the time you buy the boat and the triler you will be in deep. My advice is to start with a cheap used willie or alumaweld.

[FishTech]

Yep 16' is only overkill for one/maybe two people but not for extended trips or 3 people. I agree small can be fun and agile.

Vote for WaterReady...Got my 13' footer and love it. Plus his two part frames mean I could run a 10' footer/single by getting some shorter tubes. Advantage of having 2 sections for your frame.

Dido - Know your abilities, know your limits (passenger's too).
:twocents:

[BigSkyHunter]

There is some really good information on this thread. I think this summer I need to invest in a new pontoon boat and you guys have privided some great views to products I have never looked at. Thanks.

[PittsburghD]

Mad Mikey post your pics! I am a rough one on the toon myself. I have been running my 8 footer ragged over mellow stuff mostly but have done a couple threes in my day and survived. I did the North Fork Nehalem Falls once with some buddies when it was really low. (Had to jump off it.) The second time got a running start and leaned back then forth to survive the punch out. It's always fun when you're o.k. about getting wet even in the cold. Brings back the primal testosterone. I'd prefer a bigger toon, but run with only what I can afford at the moment.


--D

[Mad Mikey]

Mad Mikey post your pics!

I'm having trouble finding the box-car one, the ex might have it. I'll see what I can dig up tonight....

[santiamflyguy]

I've run the center of Colorado with a Sevlor Tahiti kayak and come out right side up... but it doesn't mean it's a good idea! Then again, a 16' cat wouldn't strike me as too much fun either.

I didn't get a chance to take it over to the D before it was stolen, but I would have been comfortable running everything with my 9'0" Scadden. Would have been a blast. I ran it through some III and IVs over here on the west side, it did fine as long as I didn't get too brave with the big keeper holes.

A 11' or 12' boat might be a nice compromise if you want to do an overnight and don't have a support/gear boat.

[FishonDon]

In my 11' boat, loaded with gear, I try to skirt the gut of the big holes, and it is pretty easy to do most of the time. I'm not talking portage, just running beside and not through the big holes. Then again, I skirt the big holes in my driftboat as well.

I know it will handle extreme water, its just that I am fishing with waders on and gear stowed. For just river running, check out the photos on the Northfork Outdoors web site.

The benefit of a pontoon that is not too big is that you can get to places you can't with a DB. And the benefit of a pontoon is not too small is that you can still do a light multiday trip.

For packing a lot of gear I resort to my DB.

P.S. The Northwest Express can be set up for two people.

[stillwater97]

Two years ago, I did a trip from trout creek down to maupin in my toon. Its an older design 8 1/2 foot JW Outfitters Renegade. I was meeting up with friends that had most of the necessary gear with the exception of my tent, fishing rods, and 0ther personal gear. I just strapped the rod tubes to the frame and put everything in a dry back on the back deck.
I didn't have any real problems with running the rapids. I hit the runs exactly like I would in a drifter or raft. I did however notice that I was in better control "pushing" through rapids instead of rowing backwards to maneuver.

I only had one minor scare and that was at buckskin mary rapid. I almost flipped because I almost ran out of speed going over one of the big rolling waves.

Personally,

I'd get a bigger boat if I was going to do it a lot.

[etacada]

I've gotten more info out of this thread than I intended, thanks everyone for sharing:clap: . It's really made me think about what I want in an inlatable boat. I broke it down into sections-what would I do with this boat day to day, week to week, and a few times a year. I decided I want a boat that primarily get me from piont a to piont b safely, handle whitewater, hold2/3 people, and handle all my gear.

Thats what i'd be doing week to week. I am very interested and excited to do 3/4 day floats from warm springs to maupin, but reilisticly with family obligations this will only be 1 to 2 times a year max but still would like a boat that could do this.

I have been shopping around the portland area checking out raft and pricing them. I started looking at the fishcraft catarafts because they seem to give you some of the best pricing i have seen and the boats are really set up for guys that fish. I'm hoping to be able to travel to sisters, or to check one out in person.

thanks again,

chris

[Slow and Low]

I've gotten more info out of this thread than I intended, thanks everyone for sharing:clap: . It's really made me think about what I want in an inlatable boat. I broke it down into sections-what would I do with this boat day to day, week to week, and a few times a year. I decided I want a boat that primarily get me from piont a to piont b safely, handle whitewater, hold2/3 people, and handle all my gear.

Thats what i'd be doing week to week. I am very interested and excited to do 3/4 day floats from warm springs to maupin, but reilisticly with family obligations this will only be 1 to 2 times a year max but still would like a boat that could do this.

I have been shopping around the portland area checking out raft and pricing them. I started looking at the fishcraft catarafts because they seem to give you some of the best pricing i have seen and the boats are really set up for guys that fish. I'm hoping to be able to travel to sisters, or to check one out in person.

thanks again,

chris

Hey Chris,

You just missed my deal for a 15' Supercat and trailer. Bummer.

When you are pricing those things out keep in mind the trailer is a requirement and they are big bucks. Something to ad in when you are looking at price. Also, check out Sotar's website, really cool stuff. Riverconnection is another goos place to look and they have a place in town (pdx). And don't forget andy and bax, my personal favorite, the downstairs showroom is awesome and the boats are much higher quality that fishcraft.

Good luck, and see you on the river.

[12244]

Last year around Maupin a couple was testing the limits of their individual whitewater pontoons, they were riding some of the big waves backwards, like a kayak. Very exciting stuff, they had helmets on, looked like a dangerous blast to me. But, I dont think Ill be taking my alum 17ft drifter over boxcar again anytime soon. what size is this boat pictured?
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/29948746J.jpg

[Slow and Low]

Last year around Maupin a couple was testing the limits of their individual whitewater pontoons, they were riding some of the big waves backwards, like a kayak. Very exciting stuff, they had helmets on, looked like a dangerous blast to me. But, I dont think Ill be taking my alum 17ft drifter over boxcar again anytime soon. what size is this boat pictured?
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/29948746J.jpg

18 footer in trouble. I don't think that is box car. Looks like Oak Springs but I can't tell.

I've been thinking about running box car but down the middle not over the reversal. Problem is why? Not that much good looking water to risk your boat.

[Mad Mikey]

Definitely Oak springs, rental probably more like 15-16'. You can stand there and watch 30 simlilarly loaded rafts take the exact same path through the hole, all go through just fine and the next one along gets stood on end and flipped. You just never know with hydraulics.

I always stayed in the tongue, left side of the hole. That's not a fun place to flip, I have the scars to prove it.....

I've posted this one a few times but I still get a giggle out of it. We flipped in the center channel though. Ex was holding a 12lb Yorkie too....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/MikeCowdrey/exwife.jpg :laugh:

[PittsburghD]

Nice ex- pic. Glad I'm still married.

[bignate]

Hahahaha:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[BigSkyHunter]

Ex was holding a 12lb Yorkie too....


I hope the toy dog made it through the swim. I wonder if they make life vests for dogs that small.....

[Mad Mikey]

I hope the toy dog made it through the swim. I wonder if they make life vests for dogs that small.....

Yes they do make them and the pooch was wearing one. I held onto one of the self-baler holes(with one finger!), Ang was on the other side holding onto a "D" ring. We got ground into hamburger on the rocks below, dog was waiting on the shore giving us a What the heck did you do THAT for look. He went on many trips afterwards but always got a little skittish when he heard roaring water from then on out.

Can't blame him. :)