Which Pontoon??

[Floattubr]

What Pontoon length exc is the best Lake type?? I'm 6-3 190lbs. I have a chance to purchase a Buck's 9' extreme cheap. I'm concerned about how easy I'll get blown around the Lake. It seems to big for just plain lake fishing?? Should I look at the smaller 8'ers or will this one work for me? Thanks for all your help

[veilside180sx]

9' isn't bad at all on the lake. i think my ODC 1018 gets blown around, but the 9' Water Skeeter I have isn't bad at all.

[Fishin Addiction]

I bought one of those cheap Outfitter Xt toons (9') from Costco and maiden voyage was this past weekend at Hagg Lake. It took a few minutes to figure out, but I rowed from ramp C to Scoggins Creek and back into Sain Creek, anchored up a few times, relaxed and had a great time. I'm 6'1", 200#. The transport wheel in stowed position causes drag so I put it in the cargo basket, but that is a short term solution, otherwise, I'm happy and next I will take it to the Wilson or Trask. - FA

[Floattubr]

Are the Toon's 16" on your Skeeter?? or are they the smaller Diameter ones??

9' isn't bad at all on the lake. i think my ODC 1018 gets blown around, but the 9' Water Skeeter I have isn't bad at all.

[veilside180sx]

16" sounds about right, as my ODC is quite a big larger. The Water Skeeter is a Backwater 9

[GraphiteZen]

On lakes it isn't really about the length it's more about the diameter. You're going to get blown around no matter what. Mine is 9' and is pushing 200# wihout me on it and I get blown all over the place. The smaller the diameter the wetter your legs get, if at all.

On rivers, length is critical for stability and diameter comes into play just the same. As far as getting wet, if you take a toon down a river that has any kind of rough water you're going to get wet.

You should also really consider the material of the pontoon itself and whether or not it has an internal bladder. The cheaper pontoons tend to have an exterior that is made up of some sort of woven fabric. Bouncing against rocks, dragging it over gravel and whatever else is going to wear that type down a lot sooner than it would a PVC exterior usually found on models a little higher up in quality. Some cheaper toons are made of this woven fabric and also don't have an internal bladder... soo... I you got popped on the river good luck getting your boat and your gear home... You ever tried to put a tire patch on a pair of Levis?

Next up is the oar locks and riser. Believe it or not, I have seen a $500 pontoon that had PLASTIC oar locks... I have broken a brass lock by rowing too hard so I don't even want to think about how weak a plastic lock would be..

Check Caballas or Sportsman's Warehouse. Get a good pontoon and a reliable oar mount. You can go cheap and take the risk of failure or constant repair, or you can spend a couple hundred more and get a piece that will last you 10 or 15 years problem free. You will have it for a long time, spend the money. :twocents:

Oh and the Bucks Bags was the one I saw that had plastic oarlocks and an immovable seat. Get a good look at it before you buy it.

[Floattubr]

On lakes it isn't really about the length it's more about the diameter. You're going to get blown around no matter what. Mine is 9' and is pushing 200# wihout me on it and I get blown all over the place. The smaller the diameter the wetter your legs get, if at all.

On rivers, length is critical for stability and diameter comes into play just the same. As far as getting wet, if you take a toon down a river that has any kind of rough water you're going to get wet.

You should also really consider the material of the pontoon itself and whether or not it has an internal bladder. The cheaper pontoons tend to have an exterior that is made up of some sort of woven fabric. Bouncing against rocks, dragging it over gravel and whatever else is going to wear that type down a lot sooner than it would a PVC exterior usually found on models a little higher up in quality. Some cheaper toons are made of this woven fabric and also don't have an internal bladder... soo... I you got popped on the river good luck getting your boat and your gear home... You ever tried to put a tire patch on a pair of Levis?

Next up is the oar locks and riser. Believe it or not, I have seen a $500 pontoon that had PLASTIC oar locks... I have broken a brass lock by rowing too hard so I don't even want to think about how weak a plastic lock would be..

Check Caballas or Sportsman's Warehouse. Get a good pontoon and a reliable oar mount. You can go cheap and take the risk of failure or constant repair, or you can spend a couple hundred more and get a piece that will last you 10 or 15 years problem free. You will have it for a long time, spend the money. :twocents:

Oh and the Bucks Bags was the one I saw that had plastic oarlocks and an immovable seat. Get a good look at it before you buy it.

Thanks Zen, This is a 2004 model that was used 3 times. Do you think this is the same one?? I'll check the locks and seat. Tight lines.

[CWOregon]

9' isn't bad at all on the lake. i think my ODC 1018 gets blown around, but the 9' Water Skeeter I have isn't bad at all.

How do you like your ODC 1018. Cabelas has them on sale for 599 right now marked down from 899 and I am thinking about getting one. I will use it on lakes a little but usually in the morning when the wind isnt bad and I dont really care about it getting blown around a little. I am more concerned about how it will do on the river and in rough water.

I am also looking at a Fish Cat that is the 10 IR for the same price or a 9 ft OCD 915 for 499. I would rather spend the extra 100 for the 1018 (or the Fish Cat if it is better for any reason) if it will be much better, this will be my first pontoon and I just dont want to regret getting one or the other.....

[GraphiteZen]

You can't go wrong with a Fishcat. The IR stands for Improved Response. They redesigned the pontoons and supposedly they pass more water and turn better. People that have had both types rave about the new design. There are various other things that set Outcast apart. For the money they are golden IMO.

[veilside180sx]

Pros: Rides high and pretty stable
Cons: Doesn't handle weight as well as a quality 10' would

If I were to do it over again, I'd save for a little longer and purchase a Skookum or similar. Something with Maxxon tubes or better. Despite the initial investment, you'll thank me later.

Both my toons are about to make a 3 day trip down the John Day River in Central. (end of June) So I'll have a better tale to tell after that.

How do you like your ODC 1018. Cabelas has them on sale for 599 right now marked down from 899 and I am thinking about getting one. I will use it on lakes a little but usually in the morning when the wind isnt bad and I dont really care about it getting blown around a little. I am more concerned about how it will do on the river and in rough water.

I am also looking at a Fish Cat that is the 10 IR for the same price or a 9 ft OCD 915 for 499. I would rather spend the extra 100 for the 1018 (or the Fish Cat if it is better for any reason) if it will be much better, this will be my first pontoon and I just dont want to regret getting one or the other.....