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What's Your Ride?

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What's Your Ride?

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Posts: 15

09/01/06 21:05:36

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Looking through the pics and archives, I notice that there are quite a few canoeists here.

What do you all use to fish from when you're not banking it? I have a canoe (which I seldom use because it it fairly uncomfortable to stay in for very many hours) and several float tubes. Also have a 14 foot aluminum v-hull boat. I think of all the rides I've used I like the float tubes best.

How 'bout you?

Here's my favorite tube.

zonker

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#1

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Posts: 1636

09/02/06 05:30:07

Outfitter

Zonker - that is a great canoe and a FANTASTIC BASS!! What a monster - good job!
My favorite fishing ride is my Old Town Katahdin canoe. 12 feet and beamy, she's a delight to fish from.

Old Town Katahdin
I also have a Caddis High Sierra float tube and a Grumman Sport Boat that I'm in the process of painting and registering for use with an outboard. It will be primarily for duck hunting and fishing bigger waters.
Hopefully Bullet Nose will pipe up here as he has the coolest ride afloat. I also hope that Wee Hooker can post some pics of his cedar-strip jon boat. I had some but lost 'em in the last web-sight crash.
Tight lines! Alec

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#2

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Posts: 5

09/02/06 09:01:46

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Heres my rig. Its a 1968 Sears 12 ft. rowboat. I pull her with a Yamaha Virago that has a Voyager kit on it. I've got a old 1957 Johnson 5.5 hp motor I'm workin on to power it with.

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#3

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Posts: 1050

09/02/06 16:46:29

Master Guide

Depends on the conditions. I rarely bank-fish since most of the ponds around here are either tree-lined or private property lined. If it's calmish, I like being in my canoe. It's an 18' Riverjammer. Decent beam, low gunwale, but keelless, so a chore to manage if the air is moving too much.

There's something about floating and paddling and just drifting along casting flies that appeals to me. Having just acquired my first float tube this summer, I can tell you that I do enjoy the experience and convenience, but all else being equal, I'll take the canoe.

Mike

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#4

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Posts: 15

09/02/06 18:50:42

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I mentioned above that I have a canoe but don't like to use it because it is uncomfortable after a few hours. Probably just my 55 year old frame protesting but do any of you who pilot canoes have a solution to that problem that I don't know about? My canoe is a 13 foot Coleman. The seats sit quite low - or at least that's the way it seems. I have never been in any others. I notice in a few pics that perhaps other craft like this have higher seats. Aside from reversing the aging process, is there any way for me to be more comfortable or should I just pass the thing on to the local Boy Scout Troop and fish my tubes exclusively?

Flytackle mentioned that his was a delight to fish from. Mine is a pain to fish from, literally.

zonker

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#5

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Posts: 465

09/03/06 04:10:07

Master Guide

My favorite ride is my 1947 Pen Yann canvas over cedar. Due to a neck fusion I have a little trouble honking it around by myself-time to buy a trailer. I also own a couple of float tubes.

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#6

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Posts: 404

09/03/06 07:45:49

Master Guide

Over the years I have accumulated an arsenal of boats;
16 foot Low's aluminum with 40hp Johnson(my big water craft)
14 aluminum jon boat w/9.9hp Evinrude(my small ,backwater rig)
Prowler 13 kayak(coast rig and quick access rig)
12 ft. fiberglass pirough w/foot control troll motor(duck hunting/sight casting rig)
styroam kick boat(like the old water wagons) for pond hoppin-p-

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floating rigs

#7

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Posts: 127

09/03/06 10:40:22

Guide

I am similar to pearow--I have a Pro Craft bass boat(16 1/2 ft,90hp)I use on the resevoirs around here which there is many.A 17ft Grumman canoe with a trolling motor mounted up front,a 4 hp Merc on a side mount at the rear,this canoe has side float pontoons and I have a jump seat mounted up front--use this rig
everywhere,particularily for fly fishing and when it isn't windy.I have a 10 foot john with trolling motors fore and aft with the aft being a 50 lb trust --use this rig on small lakes .I have 2 float tubes that I used on floating trout rivers such as the Hiwassee in Tenn,and the
Chattahoochie in Ga.and finally I have a Creek 8 ft pontoon which sees pretty much the same waters that the float tubes see.

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Re: floating rigs

#8

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Posts: 299

09/03/06 11:25:02

Guide

Ok my name is Dave an I'm addicted to anything that floats. IMHO, There are no perfect boats, only perfect situations for a particular boat. That said, I love just about all of them at one time /for one purpose or another.
While I admittedly have a maturing need to float/fish in things that are beautiful and well crafted as well as functional, I won't turn my nose up to even a 50 yr old , home built jon boat that has apeared to have fallen off a truck at 100 mph. True, I have built my share of varnished beauties, but also tend to buy, sell and trade any small craft, be it aluminum, glass, plastic or wood, like baseball cards. (BTW Alec, that sweet little cedar strip WW flyfishing boat now belongs to a young buck down on the cape somewhere.) I've passed through about 10-12 in just the last few months! ( Exceptional year for me.)
So as of this afternoon, ( one arrived yesterday and another left this AM) in order of longevity that I've kept them, I have and use:

14.5' Cedar strip Canoe ( my design and fabrication)

14' Laravee (fiberglass) w trailer and 15 hp Merc ( set up like flats boat for the Westport River.)

12'1" WS Pungo Kayak ( my "do all" fishing Yak). Light, easy to transport. Stable /reliable enough for open ocean use.

2,OT Loon 138 Kayaks (one with rudder) similar use/purpose to the Pungo but has more volume and speed.

Sterns Oversized Donut tube- Still my favorite tube for occasional floats w friends on SMALL waters although a Super Fat Cat could be in my future.

Sea Nymph 12' Jon- ( W assorted outboards from 1.5-6 hp).
My "leave it at my motherinLaws" boat for quick trips on Stafford pond while the wife visits with Mom.

11'6" Raddison Canoe- 44" beam and only 34#. LIGHTWEIGHT boat great for one person trips into remote swampy LMB waters.

15' Stowe Mansfield Canoe- Georgous wood ribbed/trimmed leightweight glass canoe that I just picked up ou of pure lust. IT's got a 39" beam and weighs 55# . Should be a great FF canoe. It will see water for the first time in 20 years on the 9th.

17' Stowe Mansfield Canoe- Older, well used and slightly narrower, older verion of the 15'er. Got it last week (off the cape) for near nothing after showing appreciation for the boat and promising to restore it.

12' Gazelle Canoe- 41" wide barge of a boat in horralbe condition. Needs total replacement of all whales and some glass/paint but it "had potential" and was priced at a tank of gas.
The last two will be "winter projects" to resore.

Yep, I'm a small boat slut but I don't gamble, drink(much) or cheat ( ever) on my wife so it's tollerable around here. :-)

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Canoe Relief

#9

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Posts: 1050

09/03/06 11:25:17

Master Guide

Zonker -

You can get a seat for your canoe that will raise it up a little and offer a backrest. LL Bean, among others, carries one they call the Sit Back Canoe Seat. It'll lift you about inches and give you support for leaning backward. Much of the back pain in canoeing comes from hunching forward, so that might help.

I have, on occasion, tried to use my floatation cushion, but that seems to never work, but having a more stable platform with the backrest might do the ticket. I've never used one myself, though, so I don't know

Mike

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Re: Canoe Relief

#10

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Posts: 15

09/03/06 15:26:22

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Mike,

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked out the seat model you mentioned and will try to learn a little more about it.

Great response to my question, guys. Very interesting and nice pics.

Anybody else want to weigh in?

zonker

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My Rides

#11

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Posts: 76

09/03/06 16:51:14

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I have a 14 foot foam-lined aircraft aluminum fishing canoe which can also be rowed or prpelled with my !.5 Evinrude. I also have a 16' Cedar Stripper canoe and two sit in Kayaks. I borrowed a Wilderness Systems Pungo Kayak while I was in Rhode Island and absolutely loved it. If The owner ever wants to upgrade I have offered to take that off his hands.

Ontario, Canada has come up with a programme where you have to be licenced to operate a craft under 14 feet that is motor driven. (Thanks Jet Skiers!) Since that law was enacted a couple of years ago my Evinrude has been gathering dust and I have been totally self-propelled. At 60 years old I enjoy the exercise benefits and the freedom and solitude afforded by this type of locomotion.

I also have an Outcast Fat Cat and A Wood River Glide Rider and if the truth were to be told all my other "rides" are in hibernation because I enjoy the modern float tubes so much.

Wee Hooker,

You already have half of a wicked combination (Scroll down to picture) that I used down in Rhode Island. On another thread I posted a picture of the Pungo and my Fat Cat. You need to make sure there is a Fat Cat in your future. The doughnuts are almost extinct.
God Bless,
Don

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Re: My Rides

#12

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Posts: 299

09/04/06 16:02:22

Guide

Smallmouth, if yo ever get the real "NEED" for a Pungo (clasicc) let me know. I see them used and reasonable now and then. Be happy to toss another one in my pile untill you could pick it up ;-)

Yea, I was all set to wait on a Super fat cat but found a super deal on a brand new one. Just sold another tin boat yeasterday so I my order a SFC this week.

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Re: My Rides

#13

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Posts: 76

09/04/06 16:52:22

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Wee Hooker,

Do you live in Rhode Island? I'm in Southern Ontario and have been visiting Rhode Island for the last couple of summers. If something came up close to next July or August I would definitely be interested. Heck if the price was really affordable I might talk my wife into letting me make an extra trip. We don't see many of these types of used kayaks up here. Keep in touch.

Congratulations on the Super Fat Cat! I've had my Fat Cat (not super) for 6 seasons now. I think one of those R.I. bluegills gave me a pinhole leak in one of the pontoons. It loses just enough air to let me know something happened and just enough to "bug" me. Probably a good idea to slip a few sheets of craft foam inside at the front to prevent the spiny finned species from doing this to you. I actually meant to do this but never got around to it. I've had it in the bathtub but can't seem to find it so far. If I hurry before the weather turns I may be able to find it after a session in my friend's pool.

God Bless,
Don

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Re: My Rides

#14

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Posts: 61

09/04/06 17:44:00

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Living in Tidewater Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay, I am able to fish both fresh and saltwater so my two boat fleet offers considerable flexibility. My small water/close range craft is a WS Pungo 140 kayak and for larger waters I use a 17' Key West center console equiped with a bow mounted electric motor. The choice of the boat to be used is largely dependent upon the quarry and the distance to be covered. Both are rigged for fly fishing.

-Coach

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Re: My Rides

#15

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Posts: 252

09/05/06 07:49:26

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My Mad River Malecite that my wife has named "The Other Woman". She's a beautiful, sand colored Kevlar boat with wood gunnels and caned seats. Weights a sprightly 49 pounds and is a svelt 16'6" long and 34" beam with a slight tumblehome. Perfect vessel for one guy (I stand and fish regularly) and a good choice for a duo who know how to paddle. Narrow beam means a bit of struggle for those who don't have a good sense of balance and don't possess canoe "savy".

I've also got a float tube (that I really don't like very much). I'm thinking about a SOT - and possibly a 15' squarestern fishing boat/motor for larger waters.

Joe C.

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Re: My Rides

#16

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Posts: 76

09/05/06 09:02:40

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Cornmuse,

I like "The Other Woman". Perhaps your wife was worried about the "tumble home"!

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#17

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Posts: 373

09/05/06 09:16:33

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had to give up my canoes several years ago because of a bad badk and getting old!! Currently I use these two [also have a u-boat tube that I rerely use:

Also:

donald

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#18

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Posts: 76

09/05/06 11:10:31

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Wee Hooker,

I see from browsing on the "Society" thread that you must be located in Westport Massachussets. I've been looking on Canadian sites to get a feel for the cost of a Pungo 120 or 140. (I don't have anything 12 feet long so would probably be happiest with the 14 footer.)

Anything I've come up with is over a thousand dollars brand new. State side prices are around $700 to $800. My better half would definitely be concerned with me spending that kind of money "for another boat". Can you pick them up used for significantly less?

P.S. Have a blast on your September 9th outing with the guys on this board. If I didn't live so far away I'd love to join you guys. Sounds like an excellent group.

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#19

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Posts: 299

09/05/06 11:48:12

Guide

Smallmouth, I live right on the Mass/RI border. ( Westport boarders Tiverton and Little Compton, RI) I work in Newport RI and play/fish in RI/Ma equally.
As for the FC, I now have another dilema. Just found a NIB FatCat for well under $250. Wondering if the "super" is worth any extra $ or if it's just another leak waiting to happen. Leaning towards the FC right now just because it's got less potential for long term trouble. I'd be very interested to get your opinion on the comfort 9 or drawbacks) to the foam seat.

As for the Pungo, be advised that WS makes several versions. The 120 and 140 versions you mention are relitively new updates to a best selling line. The one in your pic ( and mine) appears to be the origional Pungo Classic ( 12'1' x 28") . The Classic is the origional pungo design and paddles beyond it's size. They are favorites up here where stability and tracking are key for open SW use. (I have survived 3' boat wakes in mine!) I see the Pungo classics in good used condition for under $400 US now and again. It would be my recomendation for a "do all" yak unless your pushing 250# or so. In that case I would stear you toward the loon 138 which is a close second in performance ( and the popularity) in these waters. Used prices on the loon are about the same or slightly more.
You are welcome to try any of mine if/when you make it down this way again.
btw, what town/ponds do you visit in RI?
Dave
Dave

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Re: What's Your Ride?

#20

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Posts: 76

09/05/06 15:30:05

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Dave.

I'm only 180 sometimes balloning to 185 so I should be alright with the Pungo. Not sure if the one I borrowed was a 12 or a 14. Can you tell by looking at the picture?

Outcast also makes tubes they call Fish Cats. This is the tube my friend has. He has the deluxe model with the inflatable seats. So far he has had no aggravation but I have heard of people with Deluxe Super Fat Cats fighting seam leaks in those seats.

The Fish Cat is pretty much the same as my Fat Cat. (It has vinyl bladders instead of the urethane bladders they use in the Fat Cat) I believe the regular model comes with the foam blocks. Fish Cats and maybe even the newer Fat Cats have a different valve than on my tube. The seat valves for the ones with blow up seats have the same valves as my air bladders. The pontoon bladders however have a completely different valve which is much mor efficient for deflating the pontoons.

My Fat Cat is 6 years old now and I had to do some stitchwork on it while I was on holiday down in your neck of the woods. It has the foam block seats and I quite like them. (For one thing extra peace of mind.) When I was out in the middle of the pond and the stitching started to go creating a 6 " gap for the bladder to poke out of I remember thinking the foam seats provided that extra measure of floatation in the event of a failure. If you can get a tube with foam seats for significantly less I would pass on the Super Fat Cat unless you are in the 250 pound weight range. My friend probably weighs around that and he seems okay in his Fish Cat.

I believe the foam block seats probably help in propelling the tube more efficiently.

If I could have found a store that handled Fish Cats. I likely would have brought one home as a back up. I've seen them for as low as $135 U.S. My Fat Cat (not Super) cost me $299 Canadian (on sale) 6 years ago. Up here a new Fat Cat is probably about the price of a used Pungo.

I was fishing some local ponds in the Coventry area.

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