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[Barbelface]

I’m weighing up my options for starting fishing in a fishing pontoon. Found a nice 8’ Outcast, trolling motor etc but now stuck with the issue of transporting to the lake and back. I have an Audi S5 which doesn’t boast a lot of storage space so toying with the idea of roof racks and throwing the toon on top. The lake is 15 mins away and I won’t be driving over 50km/h. Is this feasible? Has anyone else done it?
Thanks

[firstlight]

Shouldnt be a problem if staying local and have proper racks and tie downs however im not familiar with your car .

[clarki]

Never done it with mine, but I would based upon a thread on FlyBC of members talking about strapping their pontoons to the roof and going across the Coq. The biggest worry there is change in pontoon pressure so I don't see any issue with a 15mintue jaunt to  your local lake. 

The last post by Starman77 was very informative https://forum.flybc.ca/index.php?/topic/66285-strapping-pontoon-boat-to-roof/

edit to correct link

[CohoJake]

I put my 8' fish cat on the roof rack of my Subaru all the time, then put all my gear, trolling motor, battery, in the back of the car.  Driving 70+ mph up to 90 minutes away, no problem.  Just make sure you use good ratchet straps to tie it down, and I like to deflate the pontoons a little once it is on my roof rack (but before strapping down). If I was going to drive it over the mountains or in really hot weather, I'd stop periodically to make sure the pressure hasn't increased too much in the pontoons - pressure is GREATLY effected by temperature in these things.  I always let it sit in the water at the lakeside for a few minutes to let the pontoons cool down, then pump them to a good pressure in the water.

The easiest way to load the pontoon is to set it on the hood and slide it up the windshield, but make sure if you do it that you carry it straight from the water and there is no sand or rocks on the pontoons at all - you don't want to scrape up your hood when sliding it up to the roof.

[RalphH]

Never done it with mine, but I would based upon a thread on FlyBC of members talking about strapping their pontoons to the roof and going across the Coq. The biggest worry there is change in pontoon pressure so I don't see any issue with a 15mintue jaunt to  your local lake. 

The last post by Starman77 was very informative https://forum.flybc.ca/index.php?/topic/66285-strapping-pontoon-boat-to-roof/

edit to correct link

A lot of fuss over nothing. If air pressure changes was that important your car tires would explode as you got to top of a pass. The drop in air pressure from sea level to the summit on the Coq is about 14%. See https://www.mide.com/air-pressure-at-altitude-calculator. Most inflatables typically lose than amount in 24 to 48 hours. If your pontoon air tanks are tight before you go let a bit of air out when you leave so the tubes are comfortably soft then top up at your destination.

BTW air pressure in the tubes is positively associated with temperature. That includes the effect of water when it is in it.  Factor that in when transporting or beaching an inflatable.

IMO the most important thing to do is get a quality roof rack that fits your vehicle and tie the 'toon on properly

[clarki]

BTW air pressure in the tubes is positively associated with temperature. That includes the effect of water when it is in it.  Factor that in when transporting or beaching an inflatable.

True that. I learned that the hard way after fishing a lake during a hot August day. After beaching the pontoon, I was at the vehicle for no more than 10-15 minutes when I heard a ripping sound coming from the direction of my boat. I found this...   


Now I'm VERY cognizant on the effect of temperature on inflated pontoons.   

[RalphH]

Apparently changes in temperature create changes in pressure that are about equivalent  - put it this way a 30% change in air temperature can increase pressure by 30%.

[Barbelface]

Thanks for all the comments. I didn’t realize that they where so susceptible to temp/atmospheric pressure. Anyway I’ve done some mulling on the subject and decided to go the fishing kayak route. Not much difference in weight so should be easy enough to load with a kayak boom as help.
Looking forward to catching the late season bass fishing over here on the island.

Cheers

[GordJ]

I would suggest renting that kayak for a weekend before committing to it.

[Barbelface]

I would suggest renting that kayak for a weekend before committing to it.

That’s quite a good idea. Have you any experience with kayaks vs pontoons. I’ve read a lot but personal experience is always welcome

[CohoJake]

That’s quite a good idea. Have you any experience with kayaks vs pontoons. I’ve read a lot but personal experience is always welcome

I think it is important to consider where and how you will be fishing.  With a trolling motor, I am able to use 2 downriggers mounted to either side of the pontoon, which greatly helps the boat tracking straight when I am trolling.  I have heard from Kayak users that they need to use 2 downriggers - 1 doesn't work because it wants to tip over.  I can use 1 downrigger just fine. I don't use downriggers for trout fishing, but for kokanee (and the Baker Lake sockeye salmon fishery) they are a must.  I am considering doing some relatively tame drifts this fall for salmon on a couple of rivers - some people are more adventurous than me, but slow meandering rivers are certainly doable with a pontoon.

For fishing without the motor, I have the choice of rowing or wearing fins like a float tube.  Some people mount their seat on an extension so they are higher off the water for casting - I would do this if I was fly-fishing much. That isn't an option with a Kayak, and I don't think kayaks are well suited to fly fishing in general - but please chime in on this one.

Honestly, the pontoon pressure is the least bothersome aspect of owning a pontoon - the biggest pain in the butt is having to completely unload it  - take off the motor, battery, downriggers, etc - before loading it on my car.  You would have this same problem with a Kayak, plus with most Kayaks you can't use a motor at all.  Most of the users of the high-end fishing kayaks I have seen prefer to use a trailer with their kayaks - which defeats the point of getting a car topper to begin with.

And the price - I'm all in for under $1,000 with my pontoon (used), pump, motor, battery, charger, rod holders, downriggers, downrigger balls, and fish finder.  The comparable fishing kayaks I have seen are at least $3,000 (US) without the equipment.

[Barbelface]

This will be my first time using a boat/floating vessel out on a body of water. I’ve always been a bank angler but I’m quickly realizing to catch bass in the local lakes Elk/Beaver/Prospect/Langford in my area, I need to be able to access islands That hold structure. Also tbh this time of the year the banks are full of swimmers and sunbathers. Fishing docks are not an option for similar reasons.

I only fish for bass now. Sure I might try trolling for trout in the cooler months but they don’t hold much interest for me.

Ideally a small Jon boat with an electric trolling motor Would probably be the best option. However I don’t have a truck or a tow hitch, plus parking a trailer at this time of year is tough unless you get out really early!

I see the benefit of both pontoons and yak’s but may feel a little more comfortable fishing out of something that has a floor?? Fishing Kayaks are fairly wide and very stable (Won’t be downrigging etc). what led me away from pontoons was they are effected by wind, which we do get a bit of around here.

I can throw a kayak up on the roof rack and potentially be up and running fairly quickly if I only have a few hours to spare...

Maybe a bit more research is required though...

[CohoJake]

I see the benefit of both pontoons and yak’s but may feel a little more comfortable fishing out of something that has a floor?? Fishing Kayaks are fairly wide and very stable (Won’t be downrigging etc). what led me away from pontoons was they are effected by wind, which we do get a bit of around here.

If you are looking at one of the big fishing kayaks, as opposed to just a a regular cheap kayak that you could fish out of - the fishing kayaks are very long and can be very hard to turn in the wind because they have a long broadside.  My pontoon hasn't really been bad in the wind, but I wouldn't want to have to row against a strong wind.

[RalphH]

I've had a Scadden Outlaw Renegade from his framelss series for about 10 years.

https://www.davescaddenpaddlesports.com/frameless-series

I've also got a 10 foot achilles.

Neither boat has the issues of the fabric wrapped around the actual pontoon. The air pressure thing isn't a big deal beyond having to be aware of it.

For $800 it should be possible to pick up a used Zodiac style inflatable with a hard floor.

I am not saying it's the best choice. There is no best choice. Every now and then I tell my wife I am going to buy a 12 foot tinnie or a kayak and she asks me where I'll store it to which I say "I don't know?"

Hard shells are great but they either have to be towed or car topped. Inflatables are prone to holes and air leaks.

You have to balance off your needs

[Barbelface]

This is the kayak I’m looking at https://www.perceptionkayaks.com/us/kayaks/outlaw-115

Does anyone have any experience with this model?