06-26-2007, 03:33 PM
Or me Dry Rod, remember the name is TUBE Dude. The difference in the size can make a big difference or no difference. I had a 6' Bucks Bag Alpine. Great little boat and was easy for me to move. If the water was choppy, it did feel it a lot more.
8' is a good all around length (also for rivers) and will fit in the back of most pick-ups.
I have an 11 1/2' now and it does require deflating for the back of the truck or a trailer. It inflates fast however.
Main things to look for is material, Urethane being the best, next Frame, Aluminum is a lot lighter and won't rust. Padded seat is important. Halkey Valves have proven to be the way to go. Where the oars are remembering to have them about 6" to 12" apart in front of you. Next, storage area.
I will say that DIAMETER of the toons make the biggest difference. mine are 12" diameter and I am not effected by wind much. However if you do rivers the 16" make a lot of sence.
The length of the toons and the width of the boat make all the difference width stability. The duel Pontoons are nice and some people prefer them for safety, but looking at them a different direction, what if one does go flat, how do you keep it connected to the frame? Also, it places a bigger footprint on the water which means more effected by the water (to me...harder to turn and more draw on a battery, not to mention effect from choppy water, but that is just me)
Oh yeah, I forgot, I also have a 4' pontoon that is a lot of fun and you do sit out of the water.
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8' is a good all around length (also for rivers) and will fit in the back of most pick-ups.
I have an 11 1/2' now and it does require deflating for the back of the truck or a trailer. It inflates fast however.
Main things to look for is material, Urethane being the best, next Frame, Aluminum is a lot lighter and won't rust. Padded seat is important. Halkey Valves have proven to be the way to go. Where the oars are remembering to have them about 6" to 12" apart in front of you. Next, storage area.
I will say that DIAMETER of the toons make the biggest difference. mine are 12" diameter and I am not effected by wind much. However if you do rivers the 16" make a lot of sence.
The length of the toons and the width of the boat make all the difference width stability. The duel Pontoons are nice and some people prefer them for safety, but looking at them a different direction, what if one does go flat, how do you keep it connected to the frame? Also, it places a bigger footprint on the water which means more effected by the water (to me...harder to turn and more draw on a battery, not to mention effect from choppy water, but that is just me)
Oh yeah, I forgot, I also have a 4' pontoon that is a lot of fun and you do sit out of the water.
[inline "#1 Echo.jpg"]
[signature]