which pontoon?

pope · #1 03-07-2013, 10:29 PM

Has anyone given the Oswego a good work out and can give a review? I am looking for a P'toon in that price range of $600 - so any recommendations? I noticed Costco on line has the Oswego for $539, whereas Wholesale is selling it for $629. I am also considering the Colorado - so wondering which would be better quality or should I look at something else? Thanks

drock0802 · #2 03-07-2013, 10:50 PM

I would look at spending a bit more and buying a Dave Scadden or an outcast

rmatei · #3 03-08-2013, 06:52 AM

Look at the Creek Company pontoons. Great company with excellent customer service. Own a SuperSport ODC 9 foot and couldn't be happier. After a month I developed a pinch in a bladder, called them and in 5 days received a new one, NO CHARGE. Have 4 years on it now, and for the price I'd buy another if I had to. Company is based in Colorado.

Fishonthefly · #4 03-08-2013, 09:50 AM

x2 for outcast. I have my discovery 8 for 7 years now and never had a problem.

fishcat · #5 03-08-2013, 11:22 AM

I have a fishcat cougar, GREAT pontoon. A little pricey but drifts rivers great and is awesome on the lakes. the dual pontoons on each side are nice as iv heard of guys hitting something on the river and instead of popping 1 big side they just popped 1 of the 2 and could continue on. There warranty is great to. I had no issues with them at all.

The thing with cheaper pontoons is they rust easy depending on the frame and I have personally seen guys frames brake on the lake. You wanna see someone go into panic mode? lol

https://www.google.ca/search?q=fishc...tm%3B640%3B480

pope · #6 03-08-2013, 03:25 PM

What about the stand ups? Are those worth it?

Bhflyfisher · #7 03-08-2013, 03:27 PM

No the standups are not worth the extra cash. Hated mine.

drock0802 · #8 03-08-2013, 04:22 PM

i love my standup on my NFO outlaw x5. i use it when anchored down and even makes taking a leak easier as you can just stand up rather then go to shore

morgan · #9 03-08-2013, 04:25 PM

If you dont plan on floating alot of rivers, have a look at a jon boat.
I know you can squash a pontoon into a car, but if you have space to put a jon boat, there is no comparison in my mind for stillwaters, at a similar or less price. Check Bass Pro...

fishcat · #10 03-08-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgan

If you dont plan on floating alot of rivers, have a look at a jon boat.
I know you can squash a pontoon into a car, but if you have space to put a jon boat, there is no comparison in my mind for stillwaters, at a similar or less price. Check Bass Pro...

True but its easier to backpack a pontoon into bushlakes.

Iv dragged and packed both johns and pontoons into bushlakes and if your going to be doing alot of that then get a pontoon.

I also made a platfgorm on the back of mine, fits my cooler and my dog.

pope · #11 03-08-2013, 05:40 PM

Yes I already have a jon boat, but looking for something I can carry into the the bush.

nb180 · #12 03-08-2013, 05:46 PM

out cast has great warranty on there bladder's great custumer service the cheaper pontoons do and will crack in the frame if u look around and keep an eye out u can see awesome deals of used ones i got my fish cat 8 for a 100 bucks

i really cant complaine it was basically brand new out of all the boats we have owned the out cast and higher end boats are the way to go . a little more monny for the better boat u wont regret it

morgan · #13 03-08-2013, 10:56 PM

Buy a jon and dont worry about pontoon bladders or standing up...
I have all of them (belly.toon,jon)
Jon dominates unless you are hell bent to float rivers(jon will do it as well with Two guys)
I love my Jon boat, can stand to cast, p@$$, have ALL my gear. WAY more comfy than any toon around...NO WADERS NEEDED ALL YEAR
Get a fishcat if you want to carry things....

BiggDirty · #14 03-09-2013, 09:07 AM

To all those guys who "pack their pontoon into bush lakes"....I'm a little confused as to how the hell you manage that? When I think pontoon boat, i think of a boat with a frame, and two pontoons which are of considerable weight and bulk....and when i think of bush lakes I think of lakes that are off of the beaten path and usually the paths themselves are pretty narrow....what's your strategy for lugging a big ass pontoon boat all the way out there??? I'm all ears for hearing how you do it, because most of the "bush lakes" i've been you, you would be crazy to even think about trying to lug a pontoon boat there. Now if your talking about the K Lakes, or something that is fairly close to a parking lot then sure I understand. But to the original poster, I own a FishCat 10IR and love the thing but there is no way in hell I'd be taking it into bush lakes.

kinwahkly · #15 03-09-2013, 09:16 AM

Ive got a Scadden outlaw escape, frameless, approx wieght 30 pounds, holds up to 600 lbs, awesome pontoon.

pope · #16 03-09-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiggDirty

To all those guys who "pack their pontoon into bush lakes"....I'm a little confused as to how the hell you manage that? When I think pontoon boat, i think of a boat with a frame, and two pontoons which are of considerable weight and bulk....and when i think of bush lakes I think of lakes that are off of the beaten path and usually the paths themselves are pretty narrow....what's your strategy for lugging a big ass pontoon boat all the way out there??? I'm all ears for hearing how you do it, because most of the "bush lakes" i've been you, you would be crazy to even think about trying to lug a pontoon boat there. Now if your talking about the K Lakes, or something that is fairly close to a parking lot then sure I understand. But to the original poster, I own a FishCat 10IR and love the thing but there is no way in hell I'd be taking it into bush lakes.

I'm thinking of lakes close to a parking lot, like Fiesta.

kinwahkly · #17 03-09-2013, 12:22 PM

If you plan on doing long hikes into remote lakes youre best bet is a light weight float tube style or light wieght open pontoon such as the new outcast or Outlaw escape by Scadden. Most ponttons on the bigger side are used on lake type fishing or floats down bigger rivers, just my opinion.

Walnut999 · #18 03-10-2013, 10:32 AM

www.fishlanderpontoons.com

Don Andersen · #19 03-10-2013, 08:22 PM

Pope,

If you are only looking for short distances over an established trail, I worked up a bike wheel attached to the motor pad. The wheel allows me to load the boat with everything and wheel it to the lake. All my friends have also made up their own versions of the "wheel". The cost was minor ---- maybe $20.00. I used a 20" front wheel. This diameter allowed decent ground clearance.
Further, if you camp near lakes but not on the shoreline, the wheel allows access to the launch point.
Many companies sell wheels for their pontoons. Most of them use small OD wheels which are a pain over even small bumps.

Don

32-40win · #20 03-14-2013, 01:11 AM

I am on my second Outcast boat, the first one is still going. I had a Water Skeeter in between, it was a nice boat, good frame, but, the bladders sucked, and then they went titters. Had to get new bladders for the first Outcast, as I wrecked them on Vcr Island , they were done and back in two weeks. And at the time, about 10 yrs ago, was cheap, IIRC it was under 100.00.
The Scaddens would likely be my next choice, their weight carrying capacity is better than Outcast's, and I have never seen or heard anything bad about them except the price.
There appear to be a lot of boats that may be made with Outcast frames, but the Outcast bladders may be the difference.

grinr · #21 03-14-2013, 10:49 AM

Anybody here have a multi-person pontoon?Any reccomends less expensive than Scadden??Not that I'm opposed to paying for Scadden,but for the same money or less I'm considering other options,ie;a jon boat,well used drifter,or could buy 2,3,4(?) one man pontoons?I'm currently leaning towards the Avenger XX as I want solid framed/stand-up capable,motor mount,and minimum 2up seating for myself and son or buddy....or possibly Challenger XXX for 3 people?But again,for well over $2K,I could have a "real" boat,bigazz square stern canoe,or a small fleet of one man toons?The latter is not really an option though as I won't be setting my 10yo son adrift alone on the Bow just yet.Mostly just interested in what other 2x framed models are out there??

Mutter87 · #22 03-14-2013, 01:24 PM

I have a Colorado, good boat, I want a Scadden for the stand up abilities. I think outcast makes a 2 person pontoon, looks pretty nice.

grinr · #23 03-14-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mutter87

I think outcast makes a 2 person pontoon, looks pretty nice.

Thanks....Googled them....they do make 2&3 man boats but YIKES,nothing inexpensive about them,the multi-person models cost as much and more as Scaddens!

shortkut · #24 03-15-2013, 07:47 AM

I am buying a water master by big sky inflatables in Montana! They are amazing!

http://www.bigskyinflatables.com/

Take a look at their videos. I have used one a few times and I am sold! And they are class 3 rated. There is no frame to worry about and they are totally packable.

Take a look!

drifter · #25 03-17-2013, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pope

Has anyone given the Oswego a good work out and can give a review? I am looking for a P'toon in that price range of $600 - so any recommendations? I noticed Costco on line has the Oswego for $539, whereas Wholesale is selling it for $629. I am also considering the Colorado - so wondering which would be better quality or should I look at something else? Thanks

I picked up an Oswego.
I haven't got it wet yet but I'm looking forward to it.

Mutter87 · #26 03-17-2013, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drifter

I picked up an Oswego.
I haven't got it wet yet but I'm looking forward to it.

Oswego holds 50lbs more.

http://www.classicaccessories.com/pr...?pid=408&cid=3

Check out the Boseman, It packs into its own backpack so you can hike it in, With the Oars in weighs 45 lbs.