05-13-2010, 06:44 AM
[quote IrishFloatTube]My "annual water craft review" is in progress again.
And again the float tube will retain prime place in my arsenal of water craft in 2010-2011.
And once again I find myself looking at the options for big water windy weather, which the tube is not so suited for.
Having had several of boats in the past, learned the cumbersome limitations of them (as well as their advantages) I should admit that over the years my tendency seems to be to make my favourite fishing craft smaller, lighter in weight, and more compact as my boating-watercraft skills and experience increased.
I have also gone smaller, more fun, less hassle and use more frequently, for me anyway.... Renting a motorboat or taking a guide would be my option if I needed to go in high winds.
So I'm looking at 10-13' dinghy (cartop and dislike the idea) vs SOT kayak (also cartop - prefer not, but lots of advantages portability-wise) vs a folding kayak (Folbot Aleut - compact, light, but the cost! Sheeesh!) vs a pontoon.
But what I need has to be able for a 20-35mph breeze and many pontoons get blown around a bit. So what I am wondering is which of the pontoons have the lowest profile, to catch the wind with, like maybe the tube-toon hybrids? I'm assuming seat out of the water ... but only just, for a low centre of gravity and stability to give ability to handle some waves, so a certain length pontoons is needed I suppose.
My largest boat is the quad 10" tube Outcast Discovery Oncilla at 7' . Very stable and dry because you sit up higher. Not for 35 mph breeze and 3' waves, though. Rider would act like a sail.
Even an electric troll motor isn't enough to overcome tides and wind in my coastal area and the ride is quite uncomfortable. When I did coast fishing years ago, I would use these strong forces to help my drift propulsion or avoid by getting in protected areas.
Here's an ocean proven design that might work for fishing in rough conditions: http://www.prophish.com/glasskip.html
Oars could be used, but then your hands wouldn't be free to handle rods, etc.
If I don't find the pontoon I want, this could end up with me making a wood kayak of lighter weight than the otherwise nice SOTs everyone else seems to love. What is it that makes us so fussy, eh?.
Ocean kayaks with spray skirts are used by some, but it takes strength and skill to manage. Getting beat up by the waves, wind and salt spray is not for me, but to each his own.
Hope this helps.
Pon
Suggestions anybody?[/quote]
[signature]
And again the float tube will retain prime place in my arsenal of water craft in 2010-2011.
And once again I find myself looking at the options for big water windy weather, which the tube is not so suited for.
Having had several of boats in the past, learned the cumbersome limitations of them (as well as their advantages) I should admit that over the years my tendency seems to be to make my favourite fishing craft smaller, lighter in weight, and more compact as my boating-watercraft skills and experience increased.
I have also gone smaller, more fun, less hassle and use more frequently, for me anyway.... Renting a motorboat or taking a guide would be my option if I needed to go in high winds.
So I'm looking at 10-13' dinghy (cartop and dislike the idea) vs SOT kayak (also cartop - prefer not, but lots of advantages portability-wise) vs a folding kayak (Folbot Aleut - compact, light, but the cost! Sheeesh!) vs a pontoon.
But what I need has to be able for a 20-35mph breeze and many pontoons get blown around a bit. So what I am wondering is which of the pontoons have the lowest profile, to catch the wind with, like maybe the tube-toon hybrids? I'm assuming seat out of the water ... but only just, for a low centre of gravity and stability to give ability to handle some waves, so a certain length pontoons is needed I suppose.
My largest boat is the quad 10" tube Outcast Discovery Oncilla at 7' . Very stable and dry because you sit up higher. Not for 35 mph breeze and 3' waves, though. Rider would act like a sail.
Even an electric troll motor isn't enough to overcome tides and wind in my coastal area and the ride is quite uncomfortable. When I did coast fishing years ago, I would use these strong forces to help my drift propulsion or avoid by getting in protected areas.
Here's an ocean proven design that might work for fishing in rough conditions: http://www.prophish.com/glasskip.html
Oars could be used, but then your hands wouldn't be free to handle rods, etc.
If I don't find the pontoon I want, this could end up with me making a wood kayak of lighter weight than the otherwise nice SOTs everyone else seems to love. What is it that makes us so fussy, eh?.
Ocean kayaks with spray skirts are used by some, but it takes strength and skill to manage. Getting beat up by the waves, wind and salt spray is not for me, but to each his own.
Hope this helps.
Pon
Suggestions anybody?[/quote]
[signature]