Dave Scadden Pontoon Craft

I am in the final process of deciding on my first pontoon boat and it
looks like the first pontoon I looked at - Dave Scadden - Madison
River (9 foot)- I like the best. Does anyone have any experience with
these pontoons? This does not have internal bladders, frame brakes
down to 3 pieces, weighs only 46lbs without platform. Portability is
very important as I have a small car - must fit in trunk with back
seats down.
Will be using mostly on Upper Delaware ( class I & II).
Have not decided if I should get Standing Platform w/leaning bar - any
thoughts?
(seems it could be more of a nusiance if mostly pulling over and
stopping to fish)

How about Sal****er use? For Stripers? - feeder rivers to ocean or
bays?

Have not decided if I should get Standing Platform w/leaning bar - any
thoughts?
(seems it could be more of a nusiance if mostly pulling over and
stopping to fish)

How about Sal****er use? For Stripers? - feeder rivers to ocean or
bays?

Get the standing platform. You will be amazed at the increase in fish
you spot, ease of casting/landing, yadida, yadida.... Also, if
available, an anchor system. Drop the anchor, hop off, and fish.
Just do it.
Frank Reid

"Frank Reid" wrote in message
...
Drop the anchor, hop off, and fish.
Just do it.

Nothing about checking the water depth before he hops off, eh? Just because
you have a death wish doesn't mean the rest of us should.

Bill wrote:

I am in the final process of deciding on my first pontoon boat ...

My advice is to forget cumbersome, clumsy contraptions and get
yourself a good canoe.

--
Ken Fortenberry

I owned/used a Bucks Bags 8 footer while living in Montana. It's about that
weight and fishes well on moving and still water. I have sold that since
moving back to NY, but would now buy a pontoon that is NOT recommeded for
moving water if I was close enough to float the Delaware regularly. Why?
The Delaware is baby poo in terms of danger and there are no sharp rocks or
tree snags that will POP the pontoons. I would not get a stand but use
flippers and sit back and relax. We took out Bucks Bags on class 3 rapids
with only flippers regularly. You'll find that careful planning and some
backkicking will help you into some back eddies for easy surfing and
superfishing that the average angler can't experience.

"Bill" wrote in message
om...
I am in the final process of deciding on my first pontoon boat and it
looks like the first pontoon I looked at - Dave Scadden - Madison
River (9 foot)- I like the best. Does anyone have any experience with
these pontoons? This does not have internal bladders, frame brakes
down to 3 pieces, weighs only 46lbs without platform. Portability is
very important as I have a small car - must fit in trunk with back
seats down.
Will be using mostly on Upper Delaware ( class I & II).
Have not decided if I should get Standing Platform w/leaning bar - any
thoughts?
(seems it could be more of a nusiance if mostly pulling over and
stopping to fish)

How about Sal****er use? For Stripers? - feeder rivers to ocean or
bays?

Anchors are a waste. Just pull it up on shore. If you anchor in moving
water you're asking for trouble in a pontoon. The platform doesn't allow
speed control and forces you to follow the speed of current--inhibiting the
ability to cover many different drifts with your fly before passing over
some prime water. Platforms are only good if someone is rowing for you.

"Frank Reid" wrote in message
...
Have not decided if I should get Standing Platform w/leaning bar - any
thoughts?
(seems it could be more of a nusiance if mostly pulling over and
stopping to fish)

How about Sal****er use? For Stripers? - feeder rivers to ocean or
bays?

Get the standing platform. You will be amazed at the increase in fish
you spot, ease of casting/landing, yadida, yadida.... Also, if
available, an anchor system. Drop the anchor, hop off, and fish.
Just do it.
Frank Reid

I have last years model of the Madison and it maneuvers well. I've not had
it in any whitewater yet, but it should have no problem up to class three
water. The only thing I don't like is that reflective aluminum cargo deck.
That will either get paint or carpet to soften the reflective heat in summer
time. My Madison did not have the option for a stand so that was not an
issue for me. I think the 9' boat is too short for a standing platform.

I have a small anchor that holds well in lakes but will not allow me to
anchor in faster river conditions, thereby limited my stupidity. One other
thing, if you fish stillwater, get the casting apron for an extra $25. This
is the first pontoon that I bought without a casting apron and I'm always
dropping something in the lake. The seven foot oars are good, but someday I
might buy the mini-magnum blades that I've read about.

"Bill" wrote in message
om...
I am in the final process of deciding on my first pontoon boat and it
looks like the first pontoon I looked at - Dave Scadden - Madison
River (9 foot)- I like the best. Does anyone have any experience with
these pontoons? This does not have internal bladders, frame brakes
down to 3 pieces, weighs only 46lbs without platform. Portability is
very important as I have a small car - must fit in trunk with back
seats down.
Will be using mostly on Upper Delaware ( class I & II).
Have not decided if I should get Standing Platform w/leaning bar - any
thoughts?
(seems it could be more of a nusiance if mostly pulling over and
stopping to fish)

How about Sal****er use? For Stripers? - feeder rivers to ocean or
bays?

Ken Fortenberry wrote:
Bill wrote:

I am in the final process of deciding on my first pontoon boat ...


My advice is to forget cumbersome, clumsy contraptions and get
yourself a good canoe.


Can you control a canoe with fins while you're using your hands to fish?

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Anchors are a waste. Just pull it up on shore. If you anchor in moving
water you're asking for trouble in a pontoon.

I specialize in trouble and haven't had any yet. I use it to anchor in
shallow eddies and cast to shore. Quite often, the reason I'm in the
pontoon boat is I can't reach the water from the shore and vice versa. What
"trouble" should one expect?

The platform doesn't allow
speed control and forces you to follow the speed of current--inhibiting
the
ability to cover many different drifts with your fly before passing over
some prime water.

Actually, in slower water, it allows great control via the fins. In bigger
water, I've use a trolling motor. Have you ever used a pontoon boat?

Platforms are only good if someone is rowing for you.

No, not true. I would not use a platform in faster water, but some rivers
(i.e. the Great Ouse in the UK) and still water fishing make the platform
very useful.

--
Frank Reid
Reverse email to reply

Just an FYI, a brief review of the wheel system at
http://www.steelheadquarters.com/launching_gear.htm

I bought the "launching gear" for the Scadden boats on Ebay and received
instant email from the maker of the gear. I've used this wheel on my old
Scadden Expedition and my new Scadden Madison. The wheel makes more sense
on the larger Madison as it stays out of the water with little drag. I
noticed the drag more on the Expedition.

The gear is bolted to the bottom of the seat rails, and requires two
wrenches to install. The wheel is easy to drop once the boat is on it's
side, just don't forget a rod or gear on the boat as it will be covered with
mud when you hear something drop. In water with waves, I notice a plopping
sound as the waves slosh into a square aluminum brace.


"bugcaster" wrote in message
...
I have last years model of the Madison and it maneuvers well. I've not
had
it in any whitewater yet, but it should have no problem up to class three
water. The only thing I don't like is that reflective aluminum cargo
deck.
That will either get paint or carpet to soften the reflective heat in
summer
time. My Madison did not have the option for a stand so that was not an
issue for me. I think the 9' boat is too short for a standing platform.

I have a small anchor that holds well in lakes but will not allow me to
anchor in faster river conditions, thereby limited my stupidity. One
other
thing, if you fish stillwater, get the casting apron for an extra $25.
This
is the first pontoon that I bought without a casting apron and I'm always
dropping something in the lake. The seven foot oars are good, but someday
I
might buy the mini-magnum blades that I've read about.

"Bill" wrote in message
om...
I am in the final process of deciding on my first pontoon boat and it
looks like the first pontoon I looked at - Dave Scadden - Madison
River (9 foot)- I like the best. Does anyone have any experience with
these pontoons? This does not have internal bladders, frame brakes
down to 3 pieces, weighs only 46lbs without platform. Portability is
very important as I have a small car - must fit in trunk with back
seats down.
Will be using mostly on Upper Delaware ( class I & II).
Have not decided if I should get Standing Platform w/leaning bar - any
thoughts?
(seems it could be more of a nusiance if mostly pulling over and
stopping to fish)

How about Sal****er use? For Stripers? - feeder rivers to ocean or
bays?