01-27-2011, 06:35 PM
[quote cpierce]Some rivers are an easy float in a PONTOON - not a tube, but you still take the precautions of having the right safety equipment for your destination.
YES, BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO SOME 3+ RIVERS ON A PONTOON BY HAVING MY FEET ON A CROSS BAR OUT OF THE WATER ON A PONTOON ON SMALL RIVERS/CREEKS. WHO KNOWS WHAT THE RIGHT SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS WHEN YOU CAN STAND UP ON THE BOTTOM MOST OF THE TIME, AND ARE NEVER MORE THAN 5' FROM THE BANK. A LIFEJACKET WON'T WORK AGAINST HIGHER RATED HAZARDS THAN THOSE INVOLVED WITH KEEPING AFLOAT, LIKE COPPERHEADS, SLIPPING ON SLIME WHILE PORTAGING, ETC.
You have to know the river and what to expect. It isn't a good idea to just jump in and go when all you have done is look at a street map.
You need to know what to expect on the water you are floating. So you have to do a lot of research, get to know the river, its flow levels, your own skills, and you craft's abilities. That may mean that you go with a guide first.
YES, A GUIDE IS BEST, IF YOU CAN FIND ONE IN THE AREA YOU WANT TO GO (NOT TOO MANY DO TUBING OR PACKING) AND HE'S BOOKED FAR AHEAD, NOT SICK, ETC. TO SAY NOTHING OF THE COST- MAY BE MORE THAN THE TUBE YOU USE! THE METHOD I USE IS TO GO UPSTREAM AGAINST THE CURRENT TO DISCOVER THE HAZARDS, PORTAGING POINTS AND JUDGE DISTANCE AND POWER NEEDED.
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Comments above, Hope this helps.
Pon
[signature]
YES, BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO SOME 3+ RIVERS ON A PONTOON BY HAVING MY FEET ON A CROSS BAR OUT OF THE WATER ON A PONTOON ON SMALL RIVERS/CREEKS. WHO KNOWS WHAT THE RIGHT SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS WHEN YOU CAN STAND UP ON THE BOTTOM MOST OF THE TIME, AND ARE NEVER MORE THAN 5' FROM THE BANK. A LIFEJACKET WON'T WORK AGAINST HIGHER RATED HAZARDS THAN THOSE INVOLVED WITH KEEPING AFLOAT, LIKE COPPERHEADS, SLIPPING ON SLIME WHILE PORTAGING, ETC.
You have to know the river and what to expect. It isn't a good idea to just jump in and go when all you have done is look at a street map.
You need to know what to expect on the water you are floating. So you have to do a lot of research, get to know the river, its flow levels, your own skills, and you craft's abilities. That may mean that you go with a guide first.
YES, A GUIDE IS BEST, IF YOU CAN FIND ONE IN THE AREA YOU WANT TO GO (NOT TOO MANY DO TUBING OR PACKING) AND HE'S BOOKED FAR AHEAD, NOT SICK, ETC. TO SAY NOTHING OF THE COST- MAY BE MORE THAN THE TUBE YOU USE! THE METHOD I USE IS TO GO UPSTREAM AGAINST THE CURRENT TO DISCOVER THE HAZARDS, PORTAGING POINTS AND JUDGE DISTANCE AND POWER NEEDED.
[/quote]
Comments above, Hope this helps.
Pon
[signature]