Hi All,
I am a new member here. I found this site while researching kickboats. Originally I was set on the Waterskeeter River Guide or Fish Stalker boat because of the standing platform, but the more research I do, the more options I find. Creek Company, Trout Unlimited, Dave Scadden, VV, etc.. all look to be nice rigs.

I know most here stick to lakes mainly, but I plan to use mine for a variety of fishing spots. I want to use it for fishing Bay Area lakes as well as places like the Trinity, Klamath, American, Sac, etc... for Salmon, Trout and Steelhead. I am 275 lbs and would like the ability to carry a good amount of gear for overnight trips down the river.

The thing I like about the Waterskeeter River Guide is all the options it comes with standard and the 500 lb weight capacity. Any feedback would be appreciated. Here is a link to it:
http://www.waterskeeter.com/river_guide.htm

Thanks,
Chris

Versa Vessel is the way to go. You can load a ton of stuff on it, the pontoons and frame design are awesome. currently 75% of the guys that fish BNT use VV boats and there's a reason. There the most best boats on the water.

I know, I know some people are going to knock me for saying "the best" :)

Do you work for them? LOL, just kidding...I've gone through a lot of posts and notice you speak highly of them. They really do look like great durable boats. Do you own one? How does the frame attach to the pontoons? It looks like it straps on, around the pontoon itself. Does it seem like the frame may slip around if the pontoons lost any pressure? I ask because I notice with my current Navigator II that I have to go to shore pretty often to firm up the bladders when the water is real cold. I'd hate to have to do that in the middle of a river.

I think that with all options and cost to add weight capacity to the seat, I'd end up paying quite a bit for it. I really can't afford more than $1100 or $1200. One really nice thing about the boat (and may also being a selling point for my Fiance) is the option to add a second seat. That is the first one I have seen with that option.

I have to say from all the research I have done, they are definitely one of the best, if not THE BEST.

Thanks for the input!

Chris

I dont work for them and am not sponsored by them. I speak highly of them because of what I have put mine through. I have had mine for about 6 years now and if you ask around you will hear that I am not nice to my equipment at all. I have jumped it off rock barriers 2-3 ft drown water falls hitting exposed rocks and never had any problems. I drag it down leeve's to get it in the delta, its been through hell and still running strong.

The pontoons strap to the frame but they wont move while your on the water at all even with very little pressure. The pontoons like any pontoon will loose some pressue when using them in cold water but usually dont need air added. If they do the boat comes with a hand pump that fits in a strp on top of the tackle bag that VV makes and you can put air in it while sitting on the boat in the water, no need to get out and add air.

Thanks for the info. I beat the hell out of my stuff too and you're making me rethink my limited budget. :D I've rowed a river a few times, but still need more experience so I will definitely need something that can "handle" it.

Thanks again for your help!

By the way, do you ever fish in the South San Jose area? It would be cool to see one in person. I fish around San Jose alot and may see you on the water sometime.

Limited budget $1100-$1200?!?! You can pretty much get whatever suits your needs with that money. My Fishcat9 cost less than $400 and it works just fine. I seen many boats comparable to mine on the Green River in Utah and they seemed to be doing good. I believe they are rated for class 3 rapids.

>Limited budget $1100-$1200?!?! You can pretty much get
>whatever suits your needs with that money. My Fishcat9 cost
>less than $400 and it works just fine. I seen many boats
>comparable to mine on the Green River in Utah and they seemed
>to be doing good. I believe they are rated for class 3
>rapids.

LOL!! I'd consider it limited becuase of the "things" I want in the boat. From what I can tell....boats with the weight capacity, river rating and options I want aren't cheap. I wouldn't mind getting a high end USED boat, but they seem to be few and far between....atleast in my area.

How long have you had your Fishcat9? Have you had any problems with it? Is it pretty stable?

Thanks,
Chris

I myself have never had a versa vessel. i have an ODC 816. But i have heard so many good things about the versa veseel, that i dont think you could go wrong. On the water they look pretty awsome too. You can get the livewell bar on the back for a pretty sweet setup.
I think you should trust the people here and go with the VV.

Good luck on your desicion,

Jdub

Just my $.02. I know that the VV are well constructed and well thought out. They track better than most kickboats and have some of the nicest options. They also don't "rocking chair" near as bad as the kickboats designed for the rivers. The 2 things I don't like about them is that they only have 1 chamber per pontoon and they are harder to turn than the river type kickboats. If 1 pontoon gets killed in the river your SOL. You wont be able to sit on the boat and finish out the trip, instead you get dumped in the river.
I have the Waterskeeter River Tamer 2. It has 2 chambers in each pontoon, and I think the one you mentioned from Waterskeeter does too. Many if not most river style boats have 2 chambers. If one chamber gets popped you still stay in your seat, just with a little leaning. I think Waterskeeter has a video showing a guy taking a knife to one chamber on each side, although it might have been a different company.
Tight lines,
Wade

If your a big guy you need to go with the VV. I'm around 285 and if I had anything else I'd sink the dang thing, with all the crap I carry with me. If you get something else you will always be wondering, what if I got the VV so just get it they are sweet!

cz

Wade,
You bring up an excellent point that slipped my mind when I was looking at the VV. As a Waterskeeter owner, how do you feel about their products? Are they built well? I've read a few reviews that gave Waterkeeter high marks.

Another boat I am looking at is made by this company www.steelheader.com . With a 1000lb. weight capacity, I don't think I'll be worried about weight. I'm just waiting to hear back from them on pricing.