Hey guy's,
I eventually want to buy a canoe or one of these plantoon style boats like this one http://www.steelheader.com/steel_2.htm. The only reason I want it is to fish the consumnes river near my house since it is chucked full of smallies that no one fishes for since it is pretty hard to access. Everyone I talk to tells me to buy a canoe which may be an idea but I see them on tv flipping over all the time and I dont really want to do that. Where I want to fish in the river it does get pretty rough and there are some small waterfalls mabey 2-3' has anyone used one of these 2 man boats I am guessing they are very stable probably much more so than a canoe? I would like to get one that can fit 2 people because I dont think I really want to be alone in a rough river. One question I have is how hard is it to keep the boat still in the current? Also could you stick one of these in the back of your truck or will it require a tralier? Any help of reccomendations will be greatly appricated I am not planning on buying one right away but figure I should find out what I want so I can keep my eyes open for a deal.

Tight Lines,

Taylor

Tim,I've done a few river floats(nothing with realy rough water and waterfalls that big).I have done the feather,taking out just past the outlet from oroville.That was the worst rough water I've had it in and it handled it just fine.(20-25' roostertail coming into the river)The worst part of it was getting pelted by the ahole salmnon guys chucking lead wieghts at me.I have a outdoor eng versa vessal and I can say they are very stable in the water and are great for rivers.
I do know someone who uses their kickboat for running white water(up to class 5 rapids)He makes his own boats and have seen pictures where I thought he was insane.I think th pontoon boat would be much more stable than a canoe.If the current isn't too strong then it's not a problem to stay in one spot while fishing. A few of us do float the merced,tuolome and mokolome rivers for smallies.It's a b;aslt and you can get a ton of fish.
Hope this helps,Swampy

Thanks Swampy,

I am not sure what the type I want to get is called a but something this style http://store.riverwire.com/cgi-bin/wfp79588.storefront/41f119920d85bb3e27414200c1490681/Product/View/PAC&201200 where it is possible to stand if you like. The parts of the river I want to fish you probably wont see another person all day, I used to fish there when I was younger the land around the area was a ranch and my friends mom was a member we used to have a blast catching smallies all day w/ spinners. I really like that boat in the link because it can be adjusted for 1 person or 2 so I am guessing that is a plus, the real big minus is the price I will wait to find a similar craft on ebay or elsewhere used or something. One thing I do not want is to be sitting in the water I have a trout unlimited float tube and can say they are fun but I would much rater be above water.

Taylor

I have a one man pontoon (ODC 816) and my father in law has a two man boat like the one you have pictured in the link. While the two man boat is nice because you can stand in it and two people can use it, it is not as practicle as the one man boat. I have floated the Toulmne river several times in both and the the two man is harder to position with fins, which meens that if the water is moving very good at all one person is rowing while the other is fishing. The one man boats are more manuverable and easier to keep still in slow to moderate moving water (good workout for your legs as well). In my opinion the only time where being able to stand is an advantage is when you are sight fishing. Transportation of the one man boats is also much easier, my father in law's boat sticks out of the back of his Longbed full sized pick up and is kind of a pain for two people to put load.

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what have-yous

I doubt you would forget this but you should be wearing a good life vest in moving water.

Buzzfish

I went though the same question over a year ago. I have a Chevy Astro van and wanted something I could use for myself, and possible another. I wanted easy transport with my van, preferably inside but could put on the roof if not too heavy.

Long story short, I got a 17' Coleman Canoe, sits two or three, holds all kinds of weight. Got mount for trolling motor, seat backrest pads/supports, and a few other things to make it comfortable. Problem: TOO TIPPY! And, one person, set up to sit at the back it too much weight. Mornings are not bad, no winds, but when the winds start the front becomes a sail. And it's TIPPY. Sticks out the back of the van, 95 pounds empty so can leverage onto the roof, but a little sand and it makes beautiful marks in your roof’s paint!

Bring a friend, and all you will do is try to prevent from tipping as they adjust themselves, and man if you get a pig, its all kinds of fun landing it without a net.

I just got a Colorado Pontoon Boat 9', love it. Should have done that a long time ago. Am considering selling the Canoe, but possibly I could put the gals in it, and tow it behind my Pontoon in the Russian River in the summer.

Summary, if you were considering a canoe, I would test it out one day, before you buy it!

Have fun!

John

"When I Grow Up I Want To Be A Kid"

http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/johnstangle.htm

If you want to wait till the first tournament of Bass-n-Tubes I will be happy to allow you to test drive my kickboat.
(The Cadilac of rides :) Versa Vessel) 1-800-5outdoors

I’m sure there would be others willing to allow you to go ahead and test ride their ride.

For me there is no doubt in what I would run down a river in – VV Kickboat.
I feel I can fish more thoroughly and position my self and cover the water better.

Good luck on deciding on your investment

My 03.cents

JC

http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/joeycastro.htm

I wanna cruise your boat :+ Will you have the CD player hooked up? I wanna bump some fiddy cent :P I'm just playin. You do have quite the set-up.

Everything from 2Pac
George Striate
Tim McGraw
Allen Jackson
Reggae
Hip Hop
Green Day
House
Tony Bennett
Jimmy Hendrix
Johnny Cash
Gospel
Dave Mathews
Jewel
Prymis
James Brown
Willie Nelson
Lost Lonely Boys
Chile Peppers
Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
Marvin Gaye
Santana
Emem
Mac Dre
Wild Flowers
Gipsy Kings
Robert Plant
eee.. Some times the Scorpions
Just about everything to feel good while ripping lip :P

any ways the IPOD will be hooked up!
Some where around 2500 songs and counting.
Can't remember them all but...
Jam On!
If you don't mind the beat.
Fish don't seem to care.

In fact when I'm not catching anything for a while. I sing
Chile Peppers Under the bridge- always seem to help in providing a fish or two.
Some times I feel like my only friend- Its the city I live in the city of ........ you know. :)

JC

http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/joeycastro.htm

JC,
Thanks for the info I was pretty much leaning towrads one of these after I saw them going down some nasty rivers in pic's. I live in sac if you guy's are ever close let me know I would love to come try yours out. One thing I would really like to do would be to get the 2 person since I would like to bring someone else along now and then but I am still undecided on that? I am probably not going to add a bunch of fancy stuff to mine once I get it all I will need are some rod holders.

Hey let that Bass go I wanna catch her some day
http://www.calfishing.com/gallery/v/members/tmcustoms/

PRIMUS!!! I Want To Be A Fisherman :7 Classic...