Re: [chinook] Tubing and Tooning Buyers' Guide
i'm impressed. I've had mine out 4 times so far, with no problems with fabric, or stitching in the pontoons. the frame has been solid, welds seem strong, and the seat is comfy for hours of fishing. not sure what the bladders are constructed of, but the bladder and valves seem to be of good quality and are air tight. i have been watching for any areas that might be wearing through the pontoon fabric due to abrasion, but none so far. it seems middle of the road as far as weight, i can load/unload in my pickup or ATV trailer with no probs, but too heavy to carry very far. setup was easy, about an hour.
i have it rigged with a minn-kota 30lb thrust motor, it'll move at 3-4 MPH(i'm guessing). i can move the boat as fast as my float tube with flippers, and less effort. i'm sure because of less drag than that of the float tube. it's nice to be out of the cold 40 degree early spring water, i can actually feel my feet when i get back on dry land!!
i had the same concerns as you, is it cheaply made because of the low price?? Sure there are higher quality boats out there, but in my research, in order to get into a new boat that would be higher quality you'd be in the $600-$900 range. it seems to be made identical the the Colorado, but for about $150-200 less. for the money, i dont think you can beat this boat.
i've been flshing in a float tube (mainly fly fishing) for the last 15 years or so, and have been toying around with the idea of a toon for the last 5. my thought toward the tube has been "if it aint broke dont fix it". but i really like the advantages a pontoon boat offers over the tube. i can now fish areas that were a LONG kick in the tube(especially the kick back), and can troll lures etc.. if i want to switch things up a bit.
i have it rigged with a minn-kota 30lb thrust motor, it'll move at 3-4 MPH(i'm guessing). i can move the boat as fast as my float tube with flippers, and less effort. i'm sure because of less drag than that of the float tube. it's nice to be out of the cold 40 degree early spring water, i can actually feel my feet when i get back on dry land!!
i had the same concerns as you, is it cheaply made because of the low price?? Sure there are higher quality boats out there, but in my research, in order to get into a new boat that would be higher quality you'd be in the $600-$900 range. it seems to be made identical the the Colorado, but for about $150-200 less. for the money, i dont think you can beat this boat.
i've been flshing in a float tube (mainly fly fishing) for the last 15 years or so, and have been toying around with the idea of a toon for the last 5. my thought toward the tube has been "if it aint broke dont fix it". but i really like the advantages a pontoon boat offers over the tube. i can now fish areas that were a LONG kick in the tube(especially the kick back), and can troll lures etc.. if i want to switch things up a bit.
