"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
Showing posts with label outcast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label outcast. Show all posts
Mar 19, 2024
Happy 1st Day of Spring
Feb 10, 2023
Hey Couch Potato! No More Excuses - Aire River Couch
May 15, 2015
Friends Trout and Teriyaki
When I was in elementary school, my absolute favorite event of the year was our annual fishing trip to eastern Washington for opening weekend of trout fishing. Forget the water park, Mariners games or the zoo; the boys’ annual fishing trip was the thing I looked forward to the most. Drowning worms, debating which color of powerbait was better, and bringing home a cooler full of trout was all part of the experience. I even wrote an essay in sixth grade about my favorite place; Lake Jameson.
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| Fins and Friends |
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| Emerald green waters |
I made it happen every year in college when there were many other things that I should have been focusing on; mostly studying… but I always managed to get a friend or two to go camping for a few days while we celebrated the rites of spring at a beautiful lake.
This year I convinced Jon and Ryan to join me at _________ Lake for two days. Jon and Ryan had never met, but I know two peas in a pod when I see them. Both are recent transplants from what I call back East, but both have convinced that Austin, Texas and Chicago are not actually “back East”. But to me, anything east of Wyoming might as well be New York.
Unable to get out of the Gorge after work, we met up at o’ dark thirty in my driveway, the beginning of many epic trips. Three and a half hours after departing Hood River, we arrived at a chain of lakes that I had been curious about for some years now, but had only camped at many years ago with some friends when it wasn’t open for fishing. While I didn’t fish these lakes back then, they were put on my radar and I have been reading up on them and hatching a plan for several years now.  |
| Camping in the Desert |
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| Packing Float Tubes |
One poor cast, made too quickly with a terrible presentation and the fish were gone. We took a minute, sat down and rested in quiet solitude, gaining a bit of focus and calm that would guide us through the rest of the day.
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| Jon |
We soon found this little point in the lake where fish, wind, currents and food all met. Soon after that, we stopped being impressed with double hook-ups and only made a passing notice when all three of us had bent rods at the same time. Laughter echoed across the otherwise empty lake as grown men giggled like school boys every time a rainbow trout went airborne.
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| Leeches and Buggers |
On the way out, Ryan and I hiked into a couple of other lakes as it was getting dark, but didn’t see any signs of life. The approach to the first lake included a treacherous descent of a basalt cliff, and nearly falling to great injury several times. I wish that there had been enough light to get a picture or two of this backwoods journey. The jagged basalt faces, endless thorny brushes and loose rock made our trek more of an adventure than we were expecting. Unfortunately, there were no fish in these small lakes. After such an amazing day, the lack of trout in those last couple of lakes didn’t affect our day at all and I am so glad that we had the opportunity to see these little gems.
While Ryan and I explored these little side lakes, Jon made it back to camp and was prepping steaks and potatoes for us to be just in time for a gorgeous sunset at our campsite. After a filling meal and a couple of frosty beverages, we turned in to bed quickly. We all slept like bears in hibernation until morning.
Day two proved to be a little bit harder than the first. Jon was too sore to hike back into that lake. His knee was bothering him, so he fished a couple of the lakes that were close to camp and required no hiking. He reported that there were indeed trout in those lakes and indeed, they did eat flies with gusto.
While Jon explored the “camp water”, Ryan and I hiked back into the lake that we hit the day before. While the first day offered a fish every couple of minutes, there were a couple of near hour long stretches on day two that fishing was really tough; alternated with hours of slaughter. While we were exploring a different part of the lake, we got sucked into sight casting for pre-spawning fish in the shallows that were not at all interested in our flies. Once we got back on track working the productive shoreline, it was “game on” again. While we still hooked and landed tons of fish, the best part of the day was spent on unproductive water.
The hike into the lake was strenuous the first time. The way out was fueled purely by adrenaline from a day of slaughter. The hike in on the second day was definitely tough. Every muscle in my legs and back burned with every step. Through pure grit and determination, we fished hard until 5:00 and then we had the hardest hike out of a lake I have ever experienced. Every time I looked up from the trail, the rim of the canyon (our destination) appeared to be further away than when we started. We made it out running on fumes only to have to pack up camp and drive four hours or so back to Hood River.
A quick stop for Teriyaki in Ellensburg mildly fueled us up for the final couple of hours of driving. Upon arrival at my house just shy of midnight, we haphazardly dumped all of our gear in my driveway and went our separate ways, agreeing to deal with our camping gear in the morning. I am guessing that I was asleep within 21 seconds of Ryan and Jon getting back in the car.
Andrew Perrault
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977
Float Tube Buyers Guide
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| Trout bugs |
While Ryan and I explored these little side lakes, Jon made it back to camp and was prepping steaks and potatoes for us to be just in time for a gorgeous sunset at our campsite. After a filling meal and a couple of frosty beverages, we turned in to bed quickly. We all slept like bears in hibernation until morning.
Day two proved to be a little bit harder than the first. Jon was too sore to hike back into that lake. His knee was bothering him, so he fished a couple of the lakes that were close to camp and required no hiking. He reported that there were indeed trout in those lakes and indeed, they did eat flies with gusto.
While Jon explored the “camp water”, Ryan and I hiked back into the lake that we hit the day before. While the first day offered a fish every couple of minutes, there were a couple of near hour long stretches on day two that fishing was really tough; alternated with hours of slaughter. While we were exploring a different part of the lake, we got sucked into sight casting for pre-spawning fish in the shallows that were not at all interested in our flies. Once we got back on track working the productive shoreline, it was “game on” again. While we still hooked and landed tons of fish, the best part of the day was spent on unproductive water.
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| Worth the Hike |
The hike into the lake was strenuous the first time. The way out was fueled purely by adrenaline from a day of slaughter. The hike in on the second day was definitely tough. Every muscle in my legs and back burned with every step. Through pure grit and determination, we fished hard until 5:00 and then we had the hardest hike out of a lake I have ever experienced. Every time I looked up from the trail, the rim of the canyon (our destination) appeared to be further away than when we started. We made it out running on fumes only to have to pack up camp and drive four hours or so back to Hood River.
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| Tiger Trout |
It’s so nice to take a break from steelheading every year and get back to my roots. I don’t spend nearly enough time on a lake, but I enjoy every minute of it regardless of the size or quantity of the fish. No matter where I am, I will always plan to take a weekend in April or May to get out to a desert lake, camp with my friends, and catch a trout or two.
Andrew Perrault
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977
Float Tube Buyers Guide
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Jun 13, 2014
Kayaks, Pontoons and Bass - Why Not!
Can one really fish from a Kayak? Well I'm going to tell you the answer is Yes! And I will soon be doing more fishing from my new Jackson Coosa I won courtesy of the Kayak Shed and Jackson Kayaks.
More on that later... First I would like to recap events that led up to this moment...
If you are one of the three people who follow my blog posts then you know I am a proud owner of a new Outcast Stealth Pro Frame-less pontoon boat. On a recent excursion to Hood River, I had already decided to do something most considered crazy. Wear your life vest, file and float plan, and have a backup plan are the instructions from my wife and those are backed up by my friends. You see my plan was to fish for bass on the Columbia River from this inflatable pontoon boat. I had three areas picked out that I could launch from to put me in close proximity to a couple of my somewhat secret locations discovered over the many years of experience. I had to prove fishing from a small human powered craft could be done; not only to others but myself included. Lets put this into perspective! This is an area of the Columbia river where the width could be close to a half mile wide and the spring flows are ranging from 300,000 to 400,000 cfs. It would be imperative that I use all of my knowledge of the river and its currents to ensure my success and safety. I know; I must be crazy!
Choose your launch wisely
On this day I chose an ideal launch location that favored the days wind report and down river I headed. It was pretty easy going. My first thought was wow this will be easier than I expected. I needed to travel a good mile downriver to get to a very fishy area. Following the Oregon shoreline was like discovering new possibilities of good fishing that previously I ignored. I found water falls and a sandy carp flat that caught my interest but I'll save it for another day. Today I'm on a quest to do battle with the rivers other bronze giants.
Reaching my destination with relative ease I quickly hooked into a respectful size smallie. A great feature of the frameless pontoon is the ability to maneuver with the use of kick fins. I found this very useful while fighting this moderate size smallmouth that has enough power in its tail to relocate this small vessel.
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| Tom Larimer enjoys a day to himself chasing bronze |
Is that Tom?
A couple fish later and a boat pulled up on an outside main river point. This very point was going to be my furthest destination this day and held promise of holding the largest fish in the area. As I row my way down the shoreline catching a couple fish along the way the boat appeared to be a river sled instead of a bass boat. Not many guys come out on the Columbia in river jet boats to fish bass. I got closer and notice the angler was controlling the boat from a bow mount trolling motor. I only know one guy with a removable bow mount motor on his river sled and that would be Professional Steelhead Guide Tom Larimer of Larimer Outfitters. Still too far away to identify I continued to row closer to the point. Even if this wasn't Tom he had pulled away from the area I wanted to fish so I continued to work my way toward the point to accomplish what I set out on this day. I wanted to land a big fish and I knew this area would provide the best opportunity. As I drew ever closer to the big jet boat I now have determined that this is in fact Tom. I wish I had a picture of the look on his face wondering who this nut job is bearing down on him in an 8 foot inflatable. Priceless is an understatement! I shouted out "Hey Tom" and a quick reply came out "Greg! WTH are you doing out here in a pontoon boat?" We laughed almost endlessly. Tom invited me aboard and of course I took him up on the offer. We tied up the pontoon to his boat and continued on fishing and laughing. |
| Winston Boron IIIx gettin it done |
Up a creek (river)
About halfway back up the shoreline things change drastically! I hit the current and all of the sudden this method of propulsion shows its weakness. Stroke after stroke I watched the shoreline as I gained little ground. Ducks were mocking me with their displays of circling me. I knew as long as I could advance beyond the current speed that I would eventually make it to my launch site but after a while even that determination was on a downward decline. My phone rang but I couldn't stop rowing to answer or I would lose so much ground. I ferried over to Wells Island were I took a break and stretched my legs. It was Gabe that called and I returned his call..."Hey Greg, The Kayak Shed is holding a Kayak Bass Tournament this Saturday. I think I'm going to enter. Do you want to enter? Yes I said..I think I can work that in. Can I rent a Kayak or can I use my Pontoon? I asked. We'll find out Gabe says. Cool...well I got to get back on the oars. People are going to start worrying if I don't contact them soon." |
| Outcast Stealth Pro |
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| Standing in a Kayak |
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| Tournament benefited Heroes on the Water |
Saturday, Tournament day
I picked up Gabe at 5am and headed to the event site. Neither one of us have our own kayaks so we opted to rent them from the Kayak Shed. John fitted Gabe in a Jackson Cuda and fitted me in a Jackson Kilroy.We get set up and down river we go. Just like the pontoon experience it was pretty easy going. The area we fished is a good mile downriver. I outfitted myself with three outfits. One being a float and fly setup on a Sage Bass Series fly rod. This would prove to be my saving grace for the day. With using an indicator I could make my cast, set the rod in my lap and pick the paddle to control my position. The indicator also allowed me enough time to set the paddle down and get a hook set.
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| First fish of the day |
Gabe hooked a good fish and came up with a solid 19 inch. That might get a win. We both went on to catch a lot of fish that day, Almost all of our fish came on the float fly set up. Mostly just because it was a method that allowed for boat adjustments while a fly was in the water fishing. If a Kayak has a disadvantage it is the maneuverability while fishing. An advantage of the Outcast Stealth Pro was the ability to use kick fins to control boat position. A couple times I did find myself a little frustrated with the lack of control. Bass fishing is largely dependent on accurate casting. The Kayak brings some new challenges in this department.
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| Gabe with a solid 19" pig |
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| 20" should be tough to beat |
The wind was going pretty good by this time and control would mean set up at the upwind side and get a couple casts in while drifting with the wind. A couple casts later I would need to set the rod down and paddle back to the upwind side and drift it again.
A 20 inch might win it
This day I would not have to make a second drift. On my last cast before the wind would blow me away from the honey hole I felt the slightest of tick in my line. So slight that to most it would have gone undetected. Quickly my mind signaled that this tic was a fish and my experience told me that big fish often strike light. I set the hook hard not knowing if anything was on the other end. It was solid and sure and the fight was on. I knew pretty quickly that this was a good fish...possible tournament winning fish. The wind was taking me and the fish hundreds of feet from the hooking spot. I finally got a visual of the bronze bruiser. This bass has shoulders. My most feared moment was getting him to hand. I wasted no time belly scooping him when first chance came and quickly rested him in my lap. The measure board came out and the results were in. 20 inches! In my mind that was a pretty sure bet to win. I know these waters and not many fish come to hand over 20". I rapid fired off the photos making sure the measure would be validated at the check in. Cradling the fish from the belly while releasing I watch closely as she gracefully departed to the depths.Check In
Check In was at 3pm and we had a good ways to get up river against current. I did not want to be late but I also wanted Gabe to keep fishing for a bigger fish. If I wasn't going to win this kayak then the only other person I want to see win it is Gabe. We worked our way back upriver while taking some time to hit the choice spots again along the way. It wasn't long and we hit the current. This is when the challenge begins. Just like the inflatable it was hard work against the current. You can't let up not even for a second or risk losing valuable ground. The kayak does prove to be faster than an inflatable and in this long stretch of water that would be important. All I could think of is not making it back in time to qualify. We did make it with just minutes to spare. |
| 27 entries to check in |
Gabe and I got our fish pictures checked in. Langston (Kayak Shed and Director of the Tournament) had his work cut out for him. It was his job to download everyone's photos and determine who had longest fish. At our time of check in I was in the the lead and Gabe was close behind. Twenty seven entries fished the tournament. I would call that a complete success. I have fished club bass tournaments on this river before and a good boat turnout would be ten or twelve.
The Winner is...BassProGreg
A winner was announced and my named was called! I had wanted a fishing kayak for a long time and I was thrilled to have won. It was very close. The next three places all had fish in the 19" range. Gabe grabbed 4th place with his right at a 19 inch bass. I told Gabe that morning that a 19 inch might win this but a 20 inch would be almost a sure bet. Gabe congratulated me on my win and said "you were right on, a 20 inch would win it."
Apr 16, 2012
Fly Fishing Float Tubes - A Buyer's Guide
If you like to fish stillwater you should seriously consider a float tube. No, they don’t go fast and you can’t tote your family along, but as far as single-person fly-fishing vessels are concerned, they are tough to beat. They are easy to carry, easy to inflate, comfortable, extremely functional from a fly fisher’s point of view and they help to open up all that water that you just couldn't reach before. Most tubes will carry you, your gear bag, your valuables and a small cooler. Not bad for fitting into a back pack!
Like pontoon boats, the most important determinant of quality and performance depends on the materials used and the overall size of the float tube. Most tubes have internal bladders constructed of either Vinyl or Urethane. The outer shell that holds these bladders is a fabric material that will vary in durability from the top of the tubes to the bottoms. Typically the material on top is lighter gauge fabric than that of the shell material on the bottom of the tube. The durability is given a weight rating, typically between 200 – 600. Most tubes have an outer shell rating that is durable enough for average use. The main concern is what type of bladder is used.Urethane bladders are far superior to Vinyl bladders. They are more likely to hold up and remain leak-free over time. Price is very indicative of what type of bladder is used. There are some tubes that do not use bladders. Tubes like the Outcast Trinity use a UCN (Urethane Coated Vinyl) shell to hold the air. They are not as durable, but they have drastic weight reduction as this particular tube weighs only 7 lbs! The type of valves is also a concern. Most valves are user friendly but some are more durable than others. Summit II valves are more durable than Boston valves. Leaks can occur at the valve but those tubes using Summit II valves are far less likely to do so.
The larger the tube diameter, the easier they are to maneuver. A longer, wider tube will be more stable and track better through the water. Carrying capacity also increases with overall tube size. But, those folks wishing to hike long distances with their tubes should seriously consider a tube’s packability and weight.
Outcast Float Tubes are all very comfortable. They utilize a U-shaped design that helps anglers cut through the water more efficiently. The seats are all positioned above the water’s surface which keeps people dry above the knee. Seats are either foam material or they are inflated. Tubes that have inflatable seats are easier to pack and they certainly bolster the comfort level.
All Outcast tubes come with adapters that coincide with their particular valve type. There are many pumps available on the market. Outcast has pumps, but we really love the line of K-Pumps that are built here in Oregon. Their streamlined design and functionality make them tops in our opinion.
If a leak does occur while you are out on the water Outcast has patch kits that are strong and user-friendly. Although, if no kit is on hand, a little duct tape can go a long way.
It should be mentioned that all Outcast Tubes have a 5 year warranty. Customers should contact Outcast for repairs and to see if it falls under warranty. Nylon bladders can typically be shipped out to consumers under warranty, however, Urethane bladders needing repair should be sent to Outcast for review before a full bladder replacement can be considered.
There are also numerous Float Tube Accessories available like rod holders and boat bags, backpack straps etc… Fins are also a necessity as your legs are the engine on these vessels.
Float Tubes
| Model | Size | Bladder | Shell | Weight | Capacity | Valve(s) | Seat | Warranty |
| Fish Cat 4 LCS Olive |
44”x54” | 12” Vinyl | 420pc/500pvc Sewn |
14 lbs | 250 lbs | (2)Boston | Foam | 5 year |
| Fish Cat 4 DLX Olive, Burnt Orange |
44”x54 | 12” Vinyl | 420pc/500pvc Sewn | 14 lbs | 250 lbs | (2)Boston (2) Summit Tube |
Inflatable | 5 year |
| Fat Cat LCS Gray/Orange |
45”x64” | 13” Urethane | 420pc/500pvc Sewn |
12 lbs | 300 lbs | (1) Summit II | Foam | 5 year |
Trinity
Navy
|
41”x54” | 13” No Bladder | 420 UCN Welded | 7 lbs | 300 lbs | (4) Tube Summit | Inflatable | 5 year |
| Super Fat Cat LCS Gray/Orange, Olive/Tan |
45”x64” | 13” Urethane | 420pc/500pvc Sewn |
12 lbs | 300 lbs | (1) Summit II (2) Summit Tube |
Inflatable | 5 year |
| Prowler Navy |
50”x64” | 13 ½ " Urethane | 600pc/500pvc Sewn | 16 lbs | 325 lbs | (3) Summit II | Inflatable | 5 year |
*PC – Pac Cloth **PVC – Poly Vinyl Chloride *** UCN – Urethane Coated Nylon
Click Outcast Float Tubes to see our full line of options in further detail
Gorge Fly Shop Team
541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Apr 9, 2012
Fly Fishing Pontoon Boats - A Buyer's Guide
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| Dan Gordon - Gorge Fly Shop |
For those of you interested in purchasing a pontoon boat, the three most important things to consider are: Durability, Function and Your Budget.
Durability
As is the case with most products, price does depend on the quality of materials. For pontoon boats the greatest concern is the type of bladders used. Most pontoons have an outer shell that is made of a pliable, PVC material. This stuff is fairly durable and ranges from a 500 – 1800 rating (which is determined by the weight of the material). Inside these shells are the actual bladders that hold the air. There are three different types of bladders found on the market today.
The first is vinyl. Vinyl is the least expensive material and it is also more liable to leak over time. Basically, vinyl does not have a high degree of elasticity so that as the material expands, it has a tendency to keep stretching without contracting back to its original form. As time goes on, this material loses its integrity putting it at a greater danger for pin holes and leaks due to trauma.
The best, but most expensive, bladders are Urethane. If you are willing to drop the dough, boats that utilize Urethane are the most dependable and the most likely to hold up over long periods of time. This is why companies like Outcast can afford to put a 10 year warranty on their Urethane – bladder boats. This material is highly elastic and if a leak does occur, it is the easiest material to patch while on the water. Simply put, Urethane bladders are far more durable than Vinyl.
The third type of bladder is a Vinyl/Urethane blend. This is the middle price point, although there are not many pontoons out there that have this combination. The brunt of the bladder is Vinyl with a Urethane coating. As is the case with vinyl, it works but this blended material offers far less durability than a purely Urethane bladder.
It is nice to have a stout PVC shell for these bladders, but truth be told, even the low rated shells are fairly durable. Typically, boats that have Urethane bladders will also have more durable covers. Also of concern is how these outer shells are put together. Welded seams are stronger than sewn seams, however, there are cases where low-cost boats do utilize welded seams. If it is a low priced boat, our recommendation is to go with sewn seams because there are some poorly crafted, welded seams out there on low-priced models.
Frames for pontoon boats are built from both steel and aluminum. Steel is stronger, but definitely adds more weight. Many high quality boats utilize rust-proof aluminum frames as a fine balance for durability and functionality.
The added components like seats, oars etc… are fairly constant across many stock models of boats. A word of caution however: when looking at the overall quality of the boat, do not be swayed by the type of components that are added on as opposed to the quality of the pontoons. Components are a pretty cost-effective way for companies to dress up their vessels and shouldn't be the overwhelming determinant of value.
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| Steve Turner Photography |
Functionality
This is where you must first ask yourself a few questions:- In what type of water will you be using the boat?
- How many people do you wish it to hold?
- How portable do you need the boat to be?
- Storage capacity
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| Multi-day floats |
Water types
Lakes-
For most lake anglers, a basic 8-9 foot boat should do the job. Although quality tubes definitely add to the life of the boat, one may get away with vinyl pontoons here. Tube diameters of 16” are pretty typical on the lakes. Higher tube diameters bolster a boat’s weight capacity as well as improve the boat’s agility. However, operating tall-tubed boats on a lake can be difficult when the wind is blowing. Light boats in the 8 – 9 foot range can be controlled with fins, as opposed to oars. We call this “kicking” and this can be very effective when you want to maneuver and fish at the same time. Trolling along a shoreline is a fine example “kicking”. But, once you get above the 10 foot length, kicking is not really a viable option. There are a series of boats out there that use four total pontoons. The Outcast Pac 9000 has two pontoons per side which allows it to keep pontoon height to a minimal, right around 10 inches. These low-profile boats perform very well in the wind and when running over shallow gravel bars. They are not as agile, however, so they take a little more strength to maneuver.Gentle Streams-
8-9 foot boats are also useful tools for floating small or gentle streams. Many boats in this size class have “rocker” shaped pontoons, which means that the tubes curve up in a rounded-fashion in both the front and back of the boat. This essentially leaves less surface area on the water making them more agile. Floaters using these rocker boats can spin the boat very quickly. The downside here is that this style is less stable and far less able to track on a straight line when running rivers or rowing across a lake. You will be “rocking” back and forth with each oar stroke. Keep in mind that companies save money with these rocker styles because there is essentially less material involved. One might still “kick” a boat this size on only slow moving rivers. But we do not recommend this, as it can be very dangerous in moving water.Whitewater-
People needing whitewater capabilities should think about pontoons no shorter than 10 feet in length. Generally speaking-for running rapids, the longer the pontoon, the better they track through rapids. More length allows the boat to span across holes and wave trains. Also, thicker tube diameters are needed here to keep you and your gear afloat and more maneuverable. We would recommend 18 inch – diameter tubes and above for floating rivers with any amount of serious whitewater. Also, the total width of the boat says a lot about a boat’s over all stability. It should be mentioned here that personal skill level is the most important aspect for running whitewater. Beginner oarsmen really have no business attempting dangerous water in any size boat. When I mention 10 feet and 18 inch tubes this is really meant for advanced river runners. The less your own personal skill level, then the longer your boat should be. Even for single occupants, a 12 foot pontoon is a more viable rig to use when running serious white water. Pontoon boats are made in lengths up to 20 feet long. Rowing these multi-person vessels are tougher to move around, but they are far safer when plowing through serious rapids. Experience allows people to drop down in over all boat size.How many people?
People wishing to bring another occupant, should have their eyes on at least a 12 foot boat with 18 inch and above diameter pontoons. Boats of this size will give you adequate space and weight capacity for you and your gear. Standing and fishing from a boat this size is also an option if there is a stout, upright frame and it is properly balanced. For three total people, pontoons or rafts of at least 14 feet in length should be the shortest boat considered.
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| Steve Turner Photography |
Portability-
Pontoon boats, for the most part, are very portable. But to fairly address this, one must look at the overall size and weight of the boat as well as the type of frame. If you are traveling to a body of water with the boat in pieces, most vessels should break down and fit into a compact car. To get a solid feel for size, look at the number of pieces involved in making up the frame. Frames that click together with holes and pins will go together quickly. Frames that are bolted together will take more time. It is much easier to leave these pontoon boats whole and most will fit nicely on top of one’s car or in the bed of a pickup. Most boats up to 10 feet in length are very manageable for one person to throw up on the car roof. 11 and 12 footers are doable, if you’re exceptionally rugged. 12 foot pontoons can be pulled up onto a trailer at an honest boat ramp by one person, however you certainly lose options when you get into these longer lengths. The beauty of small pontoons is you can drop them in and pull them out in some fairly obscure places. If you need to hike with your pontoon, you will need a small boat and a light, packable frame. Aluminum frames are key to keeping your load light.
Storage Capacity and Anchor System-
Okay, it is pretty easy to read the specs and see how much weight a boat can handle. But an often overlooked aspect is how user-friendly a particular storage system actually is. One thing to look for is what type of anchor system the boat has. Although this seems off-topic, this aspect is crucial to how the storage racks are laid out. Boats that have an anchor system that runs through the frame (Not Over The Top!) have far superior storage systems. When this is the case, storage racks are placed above the pontoons. Some boats that have anchor lines that run over the top of the frame, have their storage racks resting down closer to the water, between the pontoons. When this is true, there is less storage space and it is more difficult to reach your gear. Essentially, the anchor rope gets in the way of your packing scheme - also hindering smooth anchor operation.You get what you pay for-
Here at the Gorge Fly Shop, we have dealt with Outcast Boats for years and we are very happy with their quality, service and range of options. However, we do recommend two basic strategies when it comes to pontoon boat shopping. If you are a fair weather angler needing very little whitewater capabilities then spend the least amount of money possible. A solid choice here would be the Fish Cat Streamer XL – IR. If you need a higher quality boat that has a broader range of options, then go all the way to the top. Do not spend your money on a middle of the road option. Go low or go high. Remember, the real quality of a boat is in the bladders, what type of seams hold the shell together, and the type of frame and storage layout. When you make the jump from the Fish Cat series to the Pac Series there is a considerable jump in price, but it is well represented by it’s inherent quality. As far as a one-man, do-it-all, high quality boat is concerned, you should really be looking at the Pac1000FS. But of course, you may want bigger, or you may want smaller depending on your style.Frameless Boats-
While Officially not a pontoon, boats like the new Outcast OSG Commander, Outcast Stealth Pro and the Fishcat Scout do not have a frame and are extremely light and pack-able making them the most recent trend in inflatables. A great advantage to these boats is the pack-ability. These can be stowed in a large duffel, checked as baggage, stored in a cars trunk and just as easily be carried in to where they will be used. Once inflated they become a true river boat with outstanding capabilities. All three designs use two piece oars that quickly connect to the boat and row just like a pontoon. This gives a considerable advantage over other craft such as kayaks and canoes. Also with the open design all three allow for use with kick fins making them a viable option for lakes and still water as well. |
| Outcast Stealth Pro |
Below is table of the Outcast pontoon boats and some of the important characteristics of each:
Model
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Size
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Airecell
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Shell
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Frame
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Weight
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capacity
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warranty
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54”x 8’
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16” vinyl
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1000 PVC sewn
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6 pc - Steel
|
63 lbs
|
300 lbs
|
5 year
| |
54”x 9’
|
16” vinyl
|
1000 PVC sewn
|
6 pc- Steel
|
65 lbs
|
375 lbs
|
5 year
| |
60”x 9’
|
10 vinyl
|
1000 PVC weld
|
6 pc Alum
|
67 lbs
|
400 lbs
|
5 year
| |
56”x 10’
|
17” vinyl
|
1000 PVC sewn
|
12 pc Steel
|
91 lbs
|
450 lbs
|
5 year
| |
54”x8’
|
16” urethane
|
1100 PVC Welded
|
4 pc Alum
|
52 lbs
|
300 lbs
|
10 year
| |
54”x 9’
|
16” urethane
|
1100 PVC Welded
|
4 pc Alum
|
57 lbs
|
400 lbs
|
10 year
| |
54”x 10’
|
18” urethane
|
1100 PVC Welded
|
4 pc Alum
|
62 lbs
|
500 lbs
|
10 year
| |
65”x 13’
|
20” urethane
|
1670 PVC Welded
|
11 pc Alum
|
144 lbs
|
750 lbs
|
10 year
| |
68”x 13’
|
19” urethane
|
1670 PVC Welded
|
NRS Frame
|
225 lbs
|
1050 lbs
|
10 year
| |
72”x 14’
|
19.25 urethane
|
1670 PVC Welded
|
NRS Frame
|
236 lbs
|
1150 lbs
|
10 year
| |
65”x 13’
|
20” vinyl
|
1000 PVC sewn
|
11 pc Alum
|
170 lbs
|
750 lbs
|
5 year
| |
46”x 10’
|
11” urethane
|
1000 PVC Welded
|
Frame-Less
|
35 lbs
|
450 lbs
|
5 year
| |
57”x 8’
|
16.25” Urethane
|
1000 PVC Welded
|
Frame-Less
|
35 lbs
|
450 lbs
|
5 year
| |
55”x 7’
|
16.25” Vinyl
|
1000 PVC Welded
|
Frame-Less
|
35 lbs
|
400 lbs
|
5 year
|
For a more complete look, click Pontoon Boats
More Pontoon Articles:
Outcast Stealth Pro Frame-Less Pontoon Boat Review
Outcast Stealth Pro Vs. the Competition
Outcast Commander vs. Outcast Pac 800
K-Pumps - Best for Float Tubes, Pontoons and Rafts
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