Pontoon Boats

[Trout4lb]

I am considering getting a pontoon boat, in particular one offered in the Cabelas Christmas edition, The Waterskeeter, Has 92" Pontoons and a steel Anchor Mount. Would these work for suck river systems as the Yakima near Cle Elum. And the Skykomish in the two bit hole. Has anybody had any experience with these pontoon boats?

Thanks-Tight Lines- Trout4lb

Good catarafts with capable oarsmen can run almost anything, within reason. If you are going to run tough water, don't buy the cheap pontoons. Osprey and Steelheader69 build custom frames to put on the superb Wing tubes. I have a 'McKenzie Cat' by Don Hill Boats that is great too. We've had lots of Q's about these cataraft/pontoon boats. Maybe we should put up a link with all the info that those 2 guys have kindly contributed? You can also use the 'Search' feature to find the info. - RT

[Steelheader69]

I can't comment on the skeeter, I couldn't find it in any of my Cabela's catalogs, Xmas or regular. It really depends on your price range and total passengers you want to take with you. I'd suggest at least 12 ft. It's an all around good boat and can handle two well. Make sure you have a decent frame with plenty of width to support load. I'd suggest either buying a premade boat (Steelheader by skookum is a good if not the best package boat on market) or go up to the best tubes around (Wing). There are plenty of makers of other decent tubes that you'd have to have your own frame built (Sotar, NRS, Aire). I'll take a look at Cabela's homepage and see if I can find it and give you a scoop from what I saw.

Jerry

OK!! I can comment now. Went to website and found the skeeter. It's one of the many companies out there that have basically either retrofited or copied outcasts. Look at the Pac 800 and they're identical. I'd highly suggest you not buy this boat. If money is an issue, you can get by with it. I'd say move up though. I've found that most people who really use their boats and run them hard will find these type boats inadequate. I've owned outcasts and know the functionality of these styles. Luckily I have alot of experience on oars, especially in cats, so I had no problem handling the smaller Outcast, but found it was just a floating vessel, not a good boat to fish from. Do a search and you'll find alot of posts on cats.
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You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

[This message has been edited by Steelheader69 (edited 12-21-2000).]