wrote



How safe are thety on rivers?

I have to be able to fit them (2) in the back of an SUV

I want to be higher up - sitting and casting than a float tube
I would like to be able to carry xtra gear

Any suggestions?


Well, I "always" post this link in such threads

http://www.bigskyinflatables.com/


Having down that I usually add MY own experiences and OPINIONS

Fred,

I was looking for a 'portable watercraft' since I travel all summer and
sometimes need a way to float ( doh )

To me 'portable' was a key word

I own an 8 foot Outback pram built especially for fly fishing.

I own a Buck's Bag float tube

I have tried three different brands of pontoon style 'portable' inflatable
craft

I MUCH prefer my WaterMaster over the others, although it, like all such
craft, has it's own weaknesses and strengths.

MY view of them, honestly presented is:

Great portability ... the whole damn thing goes into a 'backpack,' boat,
oars, pump, ... fins, and waders if you want ... and can easily go from
completely deflated and packed to ON THE WATER in 10 minutes, no sweat.
I HAVE taken THREE of them and the three anglers the short distance needed
for shuttle in a Honda Civic ( it was crowded and only reasonable for a few
miles, but we did it ). The Hebgen thread may have sparked your interest
so, a true Hebgen story

story
I fished Hebgen one day in my WaterMaster and as the spinner fall petered
out I started rowing to shore. I noticed a couple with pontoons a bit
ahead of me. We beached at the same place about the same time and the man
in the couple went and got their SUV and drove it right to the water's edge.
I hopped out of the WaterMaster and popped open both air valves and then
walked up the hill to my truck. There, I took off all my gear and put away
my rod then went back to get my boat. The couple was fighting to get one
of the pontoons on their car, already having put away their other stuff.
I folded the WM, put it in it's bag, carried it up to the truck and put it
away. I was ready to drive off but walked back to the water to make sure
I hadn't dropped anything and to volunteer, " Need any help getting that on
top." as the FIRST of the two pontoons was still not in place and getting
the second one up there looked like a tough gig. The 'guy' erupted at me
violently about "I can do and I don't need any god-damned help." Every
time I see someone pulling a little trailer with a pontoon on it or fighting
like hell to get one or two lashed to the top of a car I wonder, "What part
of 'portable' don't these people understan."

/story

The WM is an honest 10 minutes to completely 'assemble' or disassemble' ...
I never put mine into the truck without packing it, simply because it's so
fast there is no need, even though it would fit into the bed or on top like
my pram

GREAT carrying capacity ... 500 or 700 pounds for the two models I have

GREAT moving water safety ... If the link still has a photos section, check
it out ..... I'm chicken**** and I've used it in class 3 waters

Being able to stand up without achoring the boat is a huge advantage ... the
WM surrounds you but doesn't get in the way and you can barely feel it
pulling in the current .... the first time you just "step overboard" to fish
a riffle is a bit un-nerving but you quickly learn to do it with full faith
.... AND you can wade "in" the craft and thus get to places you'd ( ok,
"I'd" ) never have the balls to try and wade to without the boat around
you. Fishing FROM any moving personal craft on a river is over-rated ...
generally you just use the craft to get there then wade or anchor, the WM
WAY out performs a pontoon at the wading part, as a pontoon will get away
from you unless you anchor it or beach it.

--------------------------------

Downsides: You sit higher than in a tube but NOT as high as in a
pontoon. I usually manage to row about as fast as the pontoon users near
me, without trying in any way to 'race' but I have lots of rowing experience
.... a pontoon DOES row easier ... especially if you need to move UPstream.
The WaterMaster is very pricey ... but, it is built exactly like full sized
whitewater rafts in materials and construction ... the first time you feel
one in the flesh you will have complete confidence in it.


-----------------------------

They are ( I believe you are in Kalispel? ) "just down the road from you"
The company changed hands since I got mine, but they used to have a
wonderful "we want you to try it" attitude and I believe still do ... I'd
call first but I bet they'd loan you one for a day or two. When I bought
mine I did so over the 'net and it was with a complete, "try it 30 days, no
questions asked" return policy ... did I return it ? .... no I bought two
others to equip the whole family (one has since been sold, not all family
members are as interested in fishing as 'dad', but I still travel with two
all summer so I can float with people I meet ... "portable" is a key word
:- )

ALL normal disclaimers apply .... I have no connection to the company and
nothing to gain from my review of their product