Ready for a pram. Suggestions?

[FOSH]

Well, boys. . . I've reached the inevitable conclusion. I'm just not as secure as I'd like to be casting from my canoe. (Yeah, I've seen pictures of guys standing and casting in a canoe, but none are of me!) And the wading tube, while bunches of fun, won't always fill the bill. I often would rather fish than fight the wind! So I find myself in the market for a pram. I reached maturity from the oarsman's seat of a drift boat and rowing has always had an allure for me. I also like the idea of being able to stand to cast and keeping my feet dry. Problem is I just don't know what to look for in a pram! If any of you can steer me in the right direction (or in any direction) I'd sure appreciate it. What type of pram did (would) you choose? Advantages? Things to look for? Avoid? I'm a little better than 55 and over 250# so I suspect a 10 footer would be preferable but. . . :whazzup:
HELP!

[lilnorthfork]

Have you considered a pontoon? Excellent in low water, transportable without a trailer, stable, and fun. You might talk to Ifish sponsor Bruce at WaterReady and discuss the pros and cons of toons vs. prams... he knows a heck of a lot about all kinds of boats. :cheers: lnf

[AndyK]

I was looking at prams this spring when I got a deal (thanks to Abalone) on a "coastal drifter". I was looking at Spring Creek Prams (http://www.springcreekprams.com/) Great little boats.

They make several models. There are two eight foot models that will fit in a standard pickup bed and have a load capacity of 375 pounds. There is also a ten foot model with a 475 pound capacity.

[cwh]

One of the Montana Driftboat builders makes a sweet flat bottom skiff. Spendy, but a sweet looking boat:
http://www.montanaboatbuilders.com/driftboats_freestoneskiff.htm

They also sell plans and kits if you're into that sort of thing.

[MarlinMark]

Sir,

I think the first question I have is whether or not you intend to trailer this boat or put it in the bed of you pick up. If you intend to trailer then I would just shop used prams and small drift boats. If you want to be able to put this boat in your pick up then I would keep a keen eye out for the used boats that show up in the adds. Let me know which you want to do and I will find one for you soon enough.

As to what to look for I think I would focus on the prams that have a little "rocker" like drift boats.

Shoot me an email and I will keep my eye open for you.

Mark

[FOSH]

I appreciate your help fellas! I think I'm in the market for a pram rather than a pontoon, however. Something I can put in (or on) my pickup. I don't really have room to store another trailered boat. And yes, MMark, I would prefer to go by way of a used pram. An email is on its way to you!
Thanks again! :smile:

[BentMetal]

I think Koffler has some pretty interesting river going prams . . . These would probably be pretty expensive for what you get, as they are welded aluminum, and have a lot of the same options that you can get on a full size drift boat. Willie boats also have a 12' drift boat that they say can fit in the bed of a pickup. I think it doesn't even come with the standard front dry deck a lot of boats have.

Not sure if that is what you are looking at, but just a few more options for you.

[O Tshawytcha]

Check the Ifish classifieds there is a don hill minidrifter for sale that looks pretty sweet!
:cheers:
GRIFF

[dubl_t]

FOSH, I've got a Ray's River Dories pram I NEED to get rid of (sorry, not enough posts to run in classifieds) Tom. 503.320.9282