05-29-2009, 04:01 AM
I ordered the Fish Finder (HUMMINBIRD 580 SONAR/GPS COMBO) tonight for the toon so I should have that in about a week. I also ordered a new seat that is a high back. I needed just a little more support for the back.
Overall I like this pontoon a lot. It have learned a few things with it so far. If you deflate it a touch, it is less prone to the wind, but a little harder to row because the wider profile creates drag. I also put the seat back all the way. This seems to center me better weight wise. Here is what I have noticed so far.
The Good:
Light weight and easy to move, but easiest with 2 people because it is a tad awkward due to the size.
Rows easily.
Very stable on rough water. Wake boarding boats no problem any more.
Great design.
Tough bladder material.
Like the fact that I can stand up and stretch on the water or sight fish.
Easy to put together.
I do not get cramps or a sore back like on the Colorado. I believe this is due to the fact that I added the pedestal so this helps me to sit in a more natural sitting position. It also helps to have the standing platform.
Adding the seat swivel was a great idea.
The Bad:
Still waiting on some B.O. parts.
When rowing, there are times it likes to turn quite easily to one side or the other, direction does not matter. I think this may be me shifting my weight slightly, but it is very touchy.
QC needs some serious work at NFO. They forgot to ship a few parts. The holes in the frame for the foot rest locks were drilled at different angles so the foot rests did not align. There was about a 2" difference in the foot rest angles. I had to redrill the foot rests.
The Oar locks need to be adjustable in height. When you add the seat pedestal, it becomes a little tough to row because you can barely get the tips of the oars out of the water because your hands are hitting your thighs.
The lean bar seems to be in the way most of the time. Not much I can do about it other than just take it off. I think it really depends on what type of fishing you are planning on doing as to whether you need it on or off. I have not come up with a better design and neither has NFO.
Overall I really like it. I am sure I will change or modify a few more things along the way. Still waiting to see how the material holds up where the frame sits on the bladders. I did add a piece of material between the pontoons and the rear deck. I still need to get a battery box mounted and try it out with a trolling motor. I like the size of the toon along with the stability.
I need to add one more rod holder to the front of the frame so when I am changing tackle or tying knots, I have a place to put the rod instead of slipping the handle under my thigh or laying it on top of the storage pocket. I know I will loose a rod if I keep doing this.
Great purchase and I would do it again.
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Overall I like this pontoon a lot. It have learned a few things with it so far. If you deflate it a touch, it is less prone to the wind, but a little harder to row because the wider profile creates drag. I also put the seat back all the way. This seems to center me better weight wise. Here is what I have noticed so far.
The Good:
Light weight and easy to move, but easiest with 2 people because it is a tad awkward due to the size.
Rows easily.
Very stable on rough water. Wake boarding boats no problem any more.
Great design.
Tough bladder material.
Like the fact that I can stand up and stretch on the water or sight fish.
Easy to put together.
I do not get cramps or a sore back like on the Colorado. I believe this is due to the fact that I added the pedestal so this helps me to sit in a more natural sitting position. It also helps to have the standing platform.
Adding the seat swivel was a great idea.
The Bad:
Still waiting on some B.O. parts.
When rowing, there are times it likes to turn quite easily to one side or the other, direction does not matter. I think this may be me shifting my weight slightly, but it is very touchy.
QC needs some serious work at NFO. They forgot to ship a few parts. The holes in the frame for the foot rest locks were drilled at different angles so the foot rests did not align. There was about a 2" difference in the foot rest angles. I had to redrill the foot rests.
The Oar locks need to be adjustable in height. When you add the seat pedestal, it becomes a little tough to row because you can barely get the tips of the oars out of the water because your hands are hitting your thighs.
The lean bar seems to be in the way most of the time. Not much I can do about it other than just take it off. I think it really depends on what type of fishing you are planning on doing as to whether you need it on or off. I have not come up with a better design and neither has NFO.
Overall I really like it. I am sure I will change or modify a few more things along the way. Still waiting to see how the material holds up where the frame sits on the bladders. I did add a piece of material between the pontoons and the rear deck. I still need to get a battery box mounted and try it out with a trolling motor. I like the size of the toon along with the stability.
I need to add one more rod holder to the front of the frame so when I am changing tackle or tying knots, I have a place to put the rod instead of slipping the handle under my thigh or laying it on top of the storage pocket. I know I will loose a rod if I keep doing this.
Great purchase and I would do it again.
[signature]