Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Good Pond Boat?

Now that I have decided against getting a large bass boat for public waters, I'd like some opinions on small pond boats.

The main choices are a flat bottom Jon, Buster, or small V hull.

Anyone have experience with any of these? I tend to think a flat bottom jon boat isn't stable enough. I'd like to be able to take a small child on the boat. The Buster type seems logical for a small body of water. Any reason not to like these?

I have a Basstender boat. You can see pics on my website at http://www.frankpinkston.com/haddock/mar13index.htm

or more info from a vendor at http://www.kawarthaboatdepot.com/bassboats.htm

It is very stable and much more comfortable than a jon boat.

Frank

We have several boats. Our aluminum pontoon paddle boat and the 12' jon boat seem to get the most use out at our pond. These are followed by my 16 bass boat, a canoe, and a 12 ft v bottom.

Here is a link to the pontoon paddle boat, our does not have the overhead canopy cover and is over 30 years old.

http://www.weeres.com/waterbikeraft.htm

I should really push these more but rarely mention it. We use Riverhawk boats to work out of. We are a dealer and the ones I have sold (9) clients Love them. Several modles but a 13 ft originial is about $650. Tracks and paddles like a canoe unlike a john boat or bass tender but has a flat back to take a trolling motor. The main thing is it is super stable. It comes standard with three seats but the middle is a small baitwell. We take it out and stand up and spray out of them. I wish they had a website but I can not get them to make one. No doubt I fell they are perfect for small to medium pond use.

Greg,

Any dealers in Texas?

jimmy wheels,

I can recommend one to NOT buy for pond fishing...the paddle boats sold by Academy and other stores around Texas. They are fun for kids and such to paddle around in, but are just about worthless to fish out of.

Greg,

Do you have any pictures of the one you use?

ML, disagree with you on this one ….
My favorite for our pond is a paddle boat - or is it a“puddle boat”?

It has a built in trolling motor that I don’t use because the grandkids run down the battery. It is an excellent fishing boat and a stable flyfishing platform.

It is a fun boat for the kids, as well as a diving and swimming platform that can’t be overturned or swamped.

Not from Acadamy but I don’t see anything wrong with them.
George Glazener

ML & George, I would guess you guys are talking about two different types of boats considering you guys are into a few of the same things (fly fishing, HSB, etc.).

For my $.02, I would also consider a few things besides the ones you've mentioned (stability, etc.)
1) Comfortable Seating and with cup/bottle holders and a place to put small tools like needle nose pliers, line cutters, etc. Also the ability to swivel is great.

2) Overall weight: this cuts both ways I think. Heavier is good for doing work like structure placement and such, and has another benefit of being harder to steal. However, it's harder to move around if you need to, like if you have to store it in a shed when you're not around. Consider having to move it by yourself from time to time.

I have a 10' Pondmaster Boat like you see in Bass Pro or Cabelas. I like it, but my opinion is only based on having this one boat (besides canoes). Moving it by yourself is a little bit of a pain in the ass though. I have to keep it stored in a locked shed which is about 400 feet from the launch point. I slide it onto a large heavy duty pallet and tow it with my car, back and forth.

I'd have to say it weighs around 300 lbs. For my pond (which I don't live at), the weight is an advantage as it would have been stolen several times over after 5 years of owning it. Charles Darwin would have been shocked at how fast the boat would have evolved legs and ran away.

It has two swivel, padded seats with back support and caddy trays. The seat height is like sitting in a regular chair. It's prewired so you can plug in things like depth finders, etc.

The underside is not flat. It's more like shaped like a channel between two pontoon-like rails. It's very sturdy.

If I had to buy another one, I'd look for something lighter weight.

Jimmy-
Probably not the answer you want, but I would suggest a bassbuster AND a jon boat. I find that the 'buster is great for fishing, while the jon is much better (and more stable) for working around the pond (i.e. sinking structure, cleaning out wood duck boxes, etc.). If I had to choose one, I would go with the jon. It may not be as comfortable, but it is more versatile.
Dan

Ive got a 10 foot camoflauge john boat for my pond and i love the thing to death- im a small guy, maybe 150-160 pounds and ive gotten into the thing after swimming without it ever tipping over.

Sunil,

Yes, I think that also. Just now read your's and George's posts and believe we are talking about two different models/types. The one I have is virtually impossible to fly fish from. I've tried it, but the results are very frustrating. My "posterior" sits very low in my model with knees up making fly fishing an exercise akin to a three ring circus...now if my "abs" were 20 year old, maybe I'd have a chance.

ML and Sunil,
Guess maybe we are talking about different type paddle boats.

Mine is about as wide as long (don’t recall actual dimentions)
It is a tunnel hull with paddle wheel at bow and trolling motor and rudder at rear.
Pedals on both sides of center console and can be operated sitting - joy stick steering.

I stand with console between my legs, but can also flycast sitting.

Good work boat also – very stable –and most importantly – the kids love it….!

Web search Gheenoe. I think they are aluminum clad fiberglass. Very happy with mine.

Cheenoe and Riverhawk are same boat. The creators years ago split up and formed two compaines, both great boats. I will see if dealers in TX. I keep saying this but one day will revamp webstie to include Riverhawk pics. ML, JImmy if you want a brochure give me your snail mail address and I will send one out. thanks

www.gheenoe.net

is for Gheenoe boats.

They do have a pretty active dealer in MS if interested in them. Go to www.boatingatlanta.com for the best pictures of Riverhawk boats. This link might work... http://www.boatingatlanta.com/riverhawk%20index.htm

When this topic has come up before, I have mentioned my 10 year old 13 ft. pontoon boat. It has heavy FRP pontoons and a wooden deck and can seat three comfortably on pedestal chairs which are the same height as office secretary chairs and are adjustable. It is stable enough so that I cannot turn it over, and I am a big guy. The boat would be unsuitable for a large body of water but for anything anyone could reasonably call a pond, it is perfect. The brand is Pondtoon. The manufacturer is still in business, but now seems to only manufacture larger boats with aluminum pontoon hulls. If anyone knows of a boat similar to the description above and still being made, I would like to know of it.
Lou, 13.5

I spent 20 years on the water as a commercial fisherman. Go with the jon boat i have a couple of 12' jon boats on my 6acre pond ,love em! The paddle boat thing is a joke! forget them!

We have a 5' X 10' pontoon with an electric motor. I really like the idea of a pontoon but ours is just a bit too small. I think that 6' X 12' would be about right.

I would suggest a 12' jonboat. They hold equipment better, easier to load and stable enough for a heavy load. I have a 14' jonboat but it is awkward for me to load and unload and use around the pond for myself-if other people go that's another story.

I do not want to sound repeative or overbearing. Many good boats out there but I can not agree on john boat rec. I have used many types on ponds over the years. I grew up fishing a John boat, but they are hard to paddle due to shape and also very unstable when moving around. I mentioend my suggestion but if looking into it spend a little more than money on john boat and get one that is stable and tracks well. On less than 20 acres this little diff goes a long ways. Ok I will shutup now.

For all of my pond fishing I use my small 9 - 11 ft 2 man bass boat from either Basspro shops or from Sams club. My 11 ft one has a small live well and has all of the hookups for a trolling motor and takes up to a 7 hp motor. Not bad for only $699. It is my most used boat. I have a full size ranger and a 19 ft fish and ski blue fin but my small boats are my fav for pond and creek and river fishing ( which is most of what I do )

My brother-in-law wants to sell his custom bass boats.

picture:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bill516318/detail?.dir=3f61&.dnm=dccd.jpg&.src=ph

I had posted earlier about what I use. Here is the link to the site that makes the boat.

http://llboats.com/Bass11.3.html#

I purchased this at our local SAMS club. Have had it for over 3 years and love it. It has everything you need and more for small ponds and creeks and such. I have even taken it out into Lake Ontario on calmer days.

I tow it with a small ultrlightweight trailer and is easy for one person to put on or off, but also seats two people nicely.

some folks showed interest in Riverhawk boats. I just spoke today with Luke Cash owner of Riverhawk of Texas. He is in San Antonio but can delivery throughout the state. He can be reached at 210-218-2265. Very nice guy!