Pontube roundup

[Socal Bassman]

Alright fellas, by now you all know that I've had my interest in the toon side but have been resisting the urge to pull the trigger. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I do make the switch though. Nothing is etched in stone just yet as I am still sticking true to the tube. I also have other "projects" I'm working on so it's probably gonna be a couple months before I end up buying my next craft anyway.

With that said, I have been doing some searching and comparing and found these to be the most likely candidates for my next craft. If any of you have any of these models, please chime in and state your likes and dislikes about that particular model. The ones listed with pics below are my "most likely" picks in the 9'-10' models. In the 8' models, my top picks are: the Outcast Fish Cat Cougar and Creek Company ODC 816. I'd also like to hear about other toons that I may want to consider also.

[tacklejunkie]

Looks like a nice selection to choose from 8) The last two are quite spiffy and looked pre-dialed for trolling motors..
Should be able to review my cougar later tonight. Heading out for a test run :lol: Feel free to meet me down there and jump on it for a test drive :wink:
Only thing about mine is I'll have to make my own casting deck.

[matt duarte]

ya socal, those are all sweet! the first 2 look like you will be sitting in the water much like a tube and it doesnt look like you can change the seat or raise it. like TJ said the last 2 looks pretty spiffy!

one thing you might want to concider is weight... like rons toon is pretty heavy but they do sell some sort of wheel attachment you can buy to make moving it easier... i have the 816 and with it fully assembled i can lift it over my head no problem.....but i havent lifted it fully loaded yet.... i would think the longer the toon the more stability you will have, the shorter like the 816 the 8' would be easier to move around in

i guess it all depends on how much you want to spend....

[Ronira]

Well SoCal, the Scadden Boats are sweet in every respect. The only thing I would say about the Navigater 2 is it's very limiting. You allready own a tube. The Navigater is unique but doesn't give you an opportunity to stand and fish with the trolling motor and that's a really big deal for me. Seat height is also an issue, same as your tube. I think a guy would get much more versatility on a toon with a frame. The Creek Co boats are also very good. The ODC 1018 and 915 both have an available standing deck and the frames are made to handle the weight on the front of the frame. All of the ODC boats have the ability to move the frame fore and aft to aid in balancing weight and that is a big deal to me. Tough choice buddy.

[matt duarte]

hey ron will the standing deck fit on my toon???? or will i have to make something? do you recall how wide the standing deck is?? i think the space i have is 26 1/2 across from frame to frame..... mine should be strond enought right? or am i going to have to do some grinding and bracing and welding???

[Ronira]

Hey Matt, I'll go measure my deck right now. Your frame is an ODC aluminum frame so you should be allright but I haven't seen one of those boats yet. Let me go measure my frame real quick and I'll get right back to you. Okay, just measured my frame and it's the same as yours. 26 1/2 outside of frame so my deck might slide right on your boat. We can try it out next time we go fishing. The only reason I say the other frames are strong enough is because Creek Co sells the deck for those two models and they don't sell one for the 816. Also your boat weighs 35 lbs less than mine and some of that is probably frame.

[matt duarte]

sweet thanks

[matt duarte]

sweet! it might work! im not a heavy guy so i think if it fits it should hold me fine... aslo you toon is 10' long and mine is 8' the matrial proly weights a lot to.... good looking out ron thanks

[matt duarte]

well i just called creekcompany and they guy i talked to said a standing plat form will not work on a 8' pontoon....he says the boat will flipp.....for some reason i dont belive him :lol: i think it should work fine, if im sitting up fron whats the difference in standing? ill see if yours fits ron and if it does ill buy one and if it doesnt ill make one and take a picture and send it to creek company with a big nananana im standing nanana :lol:

[Ronira]

Probably just need to add counter weight to the back of the frame Matt. That way the rear of the boat won't come out of the water.