Pontoon Boats and Drift Boats

[flyrod4steelhead]

Been looking at some, but not quiet sure what to look for. I am having a hard time decideing on a 6ft or 8ft, which one would buy and why? Also what should I look for as a cargo area? For let's say a cooler, not a big one just something to carry beverage's on.

What to look for in Drift Boats? Thought about going this way instead of a pontoon boat. Looking at something that i can put 2 extra people in, and have enough room for gear. Don't need anythiing fancy or too exspensive.

I don't think that I will be buying anything anytime soon with my b-day (June 17) coming around.

Any and all info will be greatly appreciated.

[northern_outdoorsman]

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[Shoeman]

Dale,

What's the primary water you plan on fishing?
If it's big enough for a driftboat, buy one.
I had both, a Dry Fly and the boat and sold the pontoon. BIG MISTAKE

There are certain waters, that won't allow the driftboat without risking hundreds of dollars worth of damage to the chines, not to mention the difficulty of portaging fallen trees.

It wasn't really evident until a few weeks ago. I was invited to a smallish river for opening day. A pontoon would have been perfect. Something about being able to tie off on a log, tree branch or just rowing into the shallows to fish a hole. Our latest ice storm created many obstacles on these rivers. Unless the river is utilized by canoe rentals, those trees will remain until another high water event sweeps them down.

You can't beat a spacious driftboat. Coolers, extra rods and the ability to take a few buddies are many of the positives of such a craft, but certain waters won't allow its use.

Last weekend was another example of the benefits of a pontoon. After some scouting, we found a great stretch of water surrounded by private property. Kinda tight, kinda shallow in spots and a few downed trees. On the way home, I was forced to purchase another pontoon. Being a little short on disposable coin, I had to settle for the Orvis version. When asked about the warranty, I was told it's just like anything else they sell. I picked it up last night. Seems solid, fits in the back of my 6' bed (inflated), but lacks the storage of a Dry Fly. It's quite a bit heavier than Dave's boats, but will do the job for the few times I plan on using it.

I'll sum it up...... You need one of each. :p

[flyrod4steelhead]

Northern_Outdoorsman,
Thank's for the link. I will check them out. I have looked at them, but didn't really check out the prices are the specs on the different size boat's.

Shoeman,
I will be fishing river's such as the PM, BM, Betsie River and the Little M, maybe the Au Sauble. What would be a good length for say a pontoon boat? If I did buy Drfit boat, what length do you all like? Nothing would make me more happier than to have both, but my fund's are limited for the time being.

[Steve]

flyrod, I wouldn't advise anything less than a 10' pontoon. You can also have Dave outfit the frame for the 10', with a 12' pontoon for extra weight capacity.

[Shoeman]

I would have to agree with Steve

If this will be your primary boat, go as big as you can afford, especially on a river like the BM.

I have seen Splitshot manover his tank through some pretty tight stuff without a problem. Of course, those type of rowing skills will need to be aquired.

As for the size of a driftboat, it depends on what you want to do with it. For casting and basically floating from hole to hole, a 14-15 footer should be plenty. For 3 guys running plugs, I would get a 16.

[flyrod4steelhead]

Thanks guy's. That's is the info that I was looking for. Now time to look at different dealer's. :D

[gunrod]

I'll sum it up...... You need one of each
I couldn't agree more. I just picked up a 8' Dry Fly to got with my drift boat (14' and too small already).

[northern_outdoorsman]

You need one of each!!!

Or a one man Dryfly and a 2 man Dryfly and a 14 foot Clacka on the way by September:D

[chromium]

I have rowed both. There's not much I can add to this that hasn't already been said.

Small water........Pontoon, only because a drift boat wont work well.

Water that's big enough for a drift boat......I'd definitley go for the drift boat. I love the room, and if you plan on doing alot of winter steel fishing, you can put one hell of a furnace in it!!
I also enjoy rowing my clacka more than a pontoon. It's a blast!

[Shoeman]

Speaking of furnace....

Winter fishing can be a chore on a pontoon. I've had my straps freeze to the pontoons and dangling your legs in ice cold water isn't much fun either.

Can it be done successfully? Sure and I will do it again. :p

All boats have their advantages.

[kroppe]

Here's a slightly different angle. It seems from the discussion that pontoons allow you to get into skinny water, skinnier water than say a drift boat (boat damage). So one of your requirements is skinny water capability.

I saw another comment on putting a cooler in the boat, and a suggestion that a pontoon might be a chilly vessel in the winter, what with straps freezing and feet dangling 32.01 degree water.

May I suggest a 12' canoe? This fits the skinny water criteria very well, and with the polymer hulls available today you won't worry about damage due to stumps, sweepers or rocks. You will also never have a flat pontoon with a canoe.

A canoe offers a place to put a cooler, and you won't have your feet wet unless you decide to be wet, i.e. you are wading. A 12' canoe is easily launched/loaded by one person, and can be car topped easily. There are bargains to be had out there in the used canoe market.

I think there are many advantages which a canoe has over a pontoon. The only disadvantage a 12' canoe has vs. a drift boat is space. But you are talking alot more money for a drift boat than you are a 12' canoe.

All of this is just food for thought, I know lots of guys have good success with both pontoons and drifters, but if I was looking for a 1 man vessel, I would go for a 12' canoe.

The Old Town 12' models are the Pack (33lbs) and the Stillwater (50lbs).

[Mike]

Yeah, but the pontoon won't flip over and send your stuff to the bottom of the river!:p ;)

[northern_outdoorsman]

...and the stelath and QUIETSNESS of a Dryfly is matched by NONE OTHER:cool:

[gunrod]

Kroppe is right, a canoe can be an affordable alternative with the added room needed for equipment but the down size is the stability. The Dry Fly is more stable with the two pontoons.

Now I think I need a canoe too. That one should go over like a fart in church with the wife after just buying the Dry Fly to go with my drift boat. :D

[foersterhunter]

dale check out this site.http://springcreekprams.com/ looks like they might have what would work for you.

[flyrod4steelhead]

one man Dryfly and a 2 man Dryfly and a 14 foot Clacka


Now that I could go for :cool: :D

I might get put in the dog house big time, but I would be set for any kind of river :D

[chromium]

Originally posted by northern_outdoorsman
...and the stelath and QUIETSNESS of a Dryfly is matched by NONE OTHER:cool:

And their not YELLOW like the short bus! :D

[gunrod]

Yellow isn't so bad. It camoflages the boat as the sun.:D