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Post by Tippecanoe Fly Fishers Admin on Feb 22, 2008 10:32:50 GMT -5
After talking with some members at the meeting last night, I am thinking of getting a potton for fishing. I am looking someing thing that is easy to transport in a truck with a topper, and one that will handle the Wildcat as well as lakes like FairField.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance for you advice.
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Post by phishphinder on Feb 25, 2008 20:06:17 GMT -5
Les, A lot depends on the amount you want to spend. If you are going to be using it on running water you will want to get the best you can afford. In still water you can spend as little as $100. Dustin has the latter. You may want to contact him. Other members are Dave M. Rick Staight, Jan Hawkins that I remember at the opening.
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Post by krebsie on Feb 25, 2008 23:14:55 GMT -5
Les, I have 2 that i purchased from Rural King 100.00 ea. I spent probably 6 to 8 hours rebuilding the very poorly designed boats. But I have come up with a way to make them very user friendly for only a few more bucks. If your interested let me know and I would be glad to show them to you.
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Post by reelteacher on Feb 26, 2008 21:35:45 GMT -5
Yeah, those cheap pontoon boats are fine, but they definitely need modifications. I'm definitely considering the bolt down swivel seat option. The nice part about these cheap boats, you can modify them to your hearts content and still spend half as much as the cadillacs of pontoon boats. Of course, if you consider your time as valuable, you may want to spend the money on a boat that you don't have to mess with. Let krebsie or I know if you need some advice on how to make these things better. We should write plans for our boats and sell them to make a few bucks! Good Luck!
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Post by krebsie on Mar 26, 2008 21:21:42 GMT -5
I'm looking for a new or slightly used Renzetti traveler with a pedistal base. Anyone out there got one they might want to get rid of?
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Post by Tippecanoe Fly Fishers Admin on Apr 1, 2008 14:58:40 GMT -5
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Post by reelteacher on Apr 3, 2008 16:13:25 GMT -5
Hey Les, That's the baby! You'll need to get a new seat. I bought one from LL.Bean. It is just a portable fold up seat that you can take with you for football games etc. The seat the boat comes with is a P.O.C. and you'll probably rip it out with the first thrust of the oars. Also, you may have to put the oar rings in a vise to close the gap a little, otherwise the oars won't stay in place and you'll have to fish them out of the water when they fall in. The frame is just metal, so I spray painted it with black rustoleum to prevent rust. I put tape on the handles for a better grip and taped up the foot pegs so that they wouldn't slip or move when I was fishing. Other than that... it's a real deal! For only $89.00 you can buy two and have one for spare parts. Probably the best thing about a single man pontoon boat is that I can put the whole thing in the trunk of my car and fish anywhere! Regards, Dustin
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Post by trent on Dec 12, 2008 14:35:44 GMT -5
Does anybody know if RK still carries these? It doesn't look like the link works anymore and I haven't seen anything similar when I've been to RK recently?
If someone has a make/model for reference, I could call the store.
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Post by rstaight on Dec 12, 2008 17:05:11 GMT -5
These seem to be a seasonal item with Rural King.
Watch the adds carefully in the spring and when they have them jump on them. They don't last long and Rural King only orders a limited supply.
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Post by krebsie on Dec 12, 2008 20:02:26 GMT -5
When I purchased my second boat from RK I had to go to the manager and have him transfer one from another store for me. It only took a few days and they called me to let me know it was in. The RK boats are a cheep way to go to see if you like this type of fishing. But now that I've fished out of them I would really like to have a better and a bit bigger boat. Especially one that has the trolling motor mount. Rowing and fly fishing can be a bit much if your trying to cover some water with your fly. I like to fish for bass with a constant forward movement and cast, cast, cast. But you cant fish like that on still water with oars. But for the money and the ability that these boats provide for you you can't complain at all.
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Post by trent on Jan 22, 2009 17:07:46 GMT -5
Can anybody give me a product name and number on these pontoons from R.K.?
I called out there today to see if they will be getting some in and it didn't sound that way. The manager said they haven't had any for "at least a couple of years".
I'm thinking if I had a product number, they could check to see if it is an item they stock at any of their stores.
I think Pat found a nice Hobie pontoon at FlyMasters that day we were there. The price was a little dear, but it sounded fairly indestructable. I'd be happy to settle for a $100 one to get started.
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Post by radioflyer on Jan 22, 2009 20:38:30 GMT -5
I"ll chime in here too and say that I'm ready to buy a float tube. Any advice would help. Teach, you say you fish with a tube? What kiind and what would you suggest?
rf
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Post by reelteacher on Jan 22, 2009 22:43:55 GMT -5
Both my father and I fish from float tubes. I had a true doughnut with a seat in it. It works o.k., but it's round shape causes it to spin around on you as you fight the fish. That can be frustrating. Plus, if you do happen to hook a massive fish, I got lucky and hooked about an 8 -9 pound pike in North Dakota, and the fish dragged me all around the lake spun me around about 10 times and then, after a bystander heard me screaming, he was able to get a net and land the fish for me. There was no way I could get the thing over the lip of the tube. What a scene! Yeah, I know, big fish story, but it's true! Dad has a U-shaped tube that is much larger and easier to handle. It doesn't spin nearly as easy and the seat is far more comfortable. It's great for hot sunny days! They are very relaxing. There are two drawbacks to a float tube: the fact that you sit so low in the water, it's hard to see very far and you can't really see very far in front of you into the water. Which is only a problem if you are fishing a brand new spot that you are unfamiliar with. And, it takes a lot of energy to get very far, since you displace so much water. It's not recommended for travelling more that a few hundred yards. Otherwise it becomes quite a workout to get all the way across the lake. A pontoon boat allows you to sit higher in the water, and you can travel a half mile or more without too much effort. The only drawback is a higher cost.
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Post by flyfishingpastor on Jan 22, 2009 22:59:36 GMT -5
Trent;
I did like the Hobie at Flymasters. It featured hard, non-puncturable (is that a word?) pontoons, had long enough pontoons to be really stable and the guy who showed it to me has one he's fished for 15 years and he said it's beat up but has no problems. The down side is it's about $1500. If I spend $1500 on a boat, it's going to be at least a partial payment for one where my backside is not dragging the water! ;D
I still would like to take a look at the RK - if they are still on the market. No need to check it out if you can no longer purchase them.
Pat
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Post by krebsie on Jan 22, 2009 23:01:12 GMT -5
I have a U shaped belly boat that I don't use. If anyone would like to use it, buy it, whatever, I'd be glad to let you. Krebsie
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