Pontoon vs. Mini-Drifter?

[FishNFiend]

Which is better, more versatile, etc.? Both boats would be 10 feet long. Thanks

[drift c]

toon, for sure

[Wind Knot]

What is a Mini-Drifter?

[AndyK]

What is a Mini-Drifter?



A mini-drifter is a white water pram or a Rapid Roberts. Where is Abalone :help: when we need him?

[BillK]

The answer is not as cut and dry as it seems. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. I like a mini drifter for these reasons as I have owned both mini drifters and pontoon boats through the years. A mini drifter is all set up and ready to go when you get to ramp - no pumping, adjusting the tubes, etc. Also in a mini drifter you are high and dry so you do not need waders and fins to get around. Since you are high and dry this makes it better for sight fishing and easy of casting. Most mini drifters can handle two mid size anglers, but it does get a little crowded, or you could bring your dog with you if you so desire. Also being high and dry makes it a warmer craft in the winter months you want to go steelhead fishing on the coast. I think a mini drifter also handles better(more reponsive) than most pontoon boats and it is a little faster on the water. Hopefully this will add to the debate.

BillK

[fishhead69]

I have fished out of both, and currently own a don hill mini drifter.

Advantages of tooner: it is compact and can be carried on your back to a river section or in a small car.
-pretty maneuverable with the right size boat for the body.
-cheaper that a mini and alot easier to toat around
-lock up your bike, frive car yo spot, set up your boat, drift catch fish then taker down, ride back up river to car with your baot on your back with gear strapped to.
-can get into tighter waters than a mini and can take just as heavy water as the mini, if you got the "cahones" to take it in whitewater that is.
-its really fun getting towed around by a big fish.
Disadvantages of the tooner:
-you HAVE to wear waders in colder water
-you will get colder and wetter.
-the toons can POP and your SOL
-limited on the gear you can carry
-cant take a buddy with you
-you run out or room quick then packing your gear, big fish,lunh Etc...

Advantages of a mini:
-you can take dog, buddy, more gear, rods, etc...
-you stay high and dry, and can see more water ahead.
-stil fun getting towed around from big fish
-you can drift it in winter for waterfowl and fishing and not worry about dunking your firearm, AND take dog / dekes along.
-Easy drifting and rowing. Mine rows like a cork,Very easy.
-overnight trips are pretty easy to do.
-You can launch them in spots you cant launch a big drift boat.
-You can pull plugs all day long and not get very tired.
-You can sleep in the bottom of it at the best hole on the river till fishing hours start and not worry about falling your ars in the drink :-)

Disadvantages of mini:
-you gotta have a trailer or wide bed pickup to haul.
-Cartopping them is not that cool.
-350 lbs is about your limit for having a good rowing boat and have freeboard to spare for heavier water.
-You have to leave most of that gear at the ramp when you do get the car if your traveling solo. (and then your stuff gets ripped off when your gone! :mad:!!!!!)
-launching it by yourself can be a beootch at times.

My advice,, get a fishcat pac9, AND the minidrifter. You can find mini's inthe papers once and a while at a great deal.

[Abalone]

Rapid Robert <> Mini Drifter ?

If they are the same thing ?
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/3974rapid3.JPG

This is my rapid Robert. I have both pontoon and a Rapid Robert.

It all depends on what you plan to do with it. If money were no object I would own an Aluminum Framed Pontoon boat in a large enough size to carry some cargo.

My toon is a small one. I have a skeeter and I love it.
But then I like my RR also. As you can see it handles heavy water. Upper Clack, Clear creek, Deschutes and it will carry more the 350 pounds. My RR weights about 120 lbs.
I used to haul it in my picup. I have drug it around logjams, drug cross farmers fields, drop it off cliffs....
It is a tuff boat. Come on over some time and I will take you for a ride. My cousin has one also. In fact I copied mine from his. Dudley has floated stuff most men fear.

I would say another advantage to the RR is it will handle more technical water then the pontoon boat. I can explain that if you want. Dudley has run his RR on the upper clack.
Three links to the lake. Imagine floating through Roaring River rapids in may,. Never even got a scratch. I have run mine from Three Linx to Roaring River. I don't have the
Balls to run Roaring river.

My .02 cents.

Build your own. I did. See Boats and motors thread.

[Abalone]

and like that man said. What the heck is a mini drifter ?