Thinking of getting a boat—-
Had my eye on the small framed rafts for a while—
Flycraft
Smithfly
Stealthcraft
Like the portability/abusability/go anywhereness
Of those leaning towards the flycraft even though its a two person—-rarely fish w 2 people let alone 3 and its more compact. The others almost need a trailer to function.
Floating the smith would be a big plus regarding ease of access.
BUT also got eye on a Gheenoe LT10 and throw a motor on it as needed—-which would open up lakes/larger rivers/striper fishing. Access would be more limited but not horrible. The hard bottom may not like some of the rivers. Would probably be cheaper than a raft without motor etc but more expensive fully loaded.
Would be hitting up James, New, Smith, Jackson, Roanoke possible some lakes.
Any experience w above?
Thoughts?
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There is no single "do it all" boat.
Are you more interested in floating rivers or fishing lakes?
Here is your do it all boat.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180927/079b2abc5f14bf8d8868402a4b1f57b7.jpg)
Perhaps I need to do a demonstration on how to run Eggleston Falls with a 1969 Sears jon boat.
I have actually see in done. It was held together with duct tape as well.
Quote from: DAYUMson on September 27, 2018, 14:57:53 PM
There is no single "do it all" boat.
Are you more interested in floating rivers or fishing lakes?
I fish mostly rivers
Then again i dont have a boat to fish a lake.
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The only do all boat would be a 16' Jon. Need a fairly narrow one for rivers.
If you want to really float a river, get a raft. There is a lot to be said about an inflatable and not worrying about rocks
Quote from: Fishbug on September 28, 2018, 13:48:56 PM
Quote from: DAYUMson on September 27, 2018, 14:57:53 PM
There is no single "do it all" boat.
Are you more interested in floating rivers or fishing lakes?
I fish mostly rivers
Then again i dont have a boat to fish a lake.
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Flycraft has small tubes and narrow. Not something you want if you hit some bigger water. Also being that its a multiple piece frame, it will flex. Period. Smithfly is ok, but I was not impressed with the white water ability being it has very little dead rise. It will take on water on a class I-II rapid easy. Hooligan and hooligan xl are heavier, but a longer lasting/better built boat. Trying to dodge a trailer is nonsense. You need one. Breaking down a raft every time you want to float will get old and time consuming.
Go big or go home.
Hooligan or a larger beast.
Durability beats manueverability?
Get a canoe for stillwater.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/2751d71befd20dffba2130f247d651e4.jpg)
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Quote from: streamereater_101691 on September 28, 2018, 17:07:51 PM
Flycraft has small tubes and narrow. Not something you want if you hit some bigger water. Also being that its a multiple piece frame, it will flex. Period. Smithfly is ok, but I was not impressed with the white water ability being it has very little dead rise. It will take on water on a class I-II rapid easy. Hooligan and hooligan xl are heavier, but a longer lasting/better built boat. Trying to dodge a trailer is nonsense. You need one. Breaking down a raft every time you want to float will get old and time consuming.
What white water are you hitting?
Good call about the trailer...
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Quote from: Dougfish on September 28, 2018, 17:16:47 PM
Go big or go home.
Hooligan or a larger beast.
Durability beats manueverability?
Get a canoe for stillwater.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180928/2751d71befd20dffba2130f247d651e4.jpg)
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Maneuverability is a perk...
What you estimate your raft cost to build—-
I looked a piecing together a hooligan equivalent and i only saved ~$800. Lacked some finished features etc so decided to abort that plan
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I have a two man too (Creek company). Pull it on a utility trailer (8X14). Fits great and you still have a utility trailer when you need to haul a load of wood.
For me, inflatables are the way to go. I fish bony rivers (the new primarily) and have fished it out of a 16' Jon most of my life. Knowing when you hit a rock, you simply slide off is a great ease of mind. Also, I have personally ran class iii's in mine, and had zero issues.
If you're interested in fishing rivers, an inflatable allows you to fish any river (no matter the water level). A Jon, under a skilled boatsman, allows the same, but the situation is much more tense.
Quote from: Fishbug on October 02, 2018, 20:51:28 PM
Maneuverability is a perk...
What you estimate your raft cost to build—-
I looked a piecing together a hooligan equivalent and i only saved ~$800. Lacked some finished features etc so decided to abort that plan
Mine is complicated. Blew up an existing bote and built this from old and new components. Did I save some monet? Sure.
Is it as refined as a mass produced, professionally engineered bote? No. Can I modify it and move oar towers and seats around, for example? Yes.
I'm a tinkerer. I'm happy.
Quote from: Fishbug on October 02, 2018, 20:49:33 PM
Quote from: streamereater_101691 on September 28, 2018, 17:07:51 PM
Flycraft has small tubes and narrow. Not something you want if you hit some bigger water. Also being that its a multiple piece frame, it will flex. Period. Smithfly is ok, but I was not impressed with the white water ability being it has very little dead rise. It will take on water on a class I-II rapid easy. Hooligan and hooligan xl are heavier, but a longer lasting/better built boat. Trying to dodge a trailer is nonsense. You need one. Breaking down a raft every time you want to float will get old and time consuming.
What white water are you hitting?
Good call about the trailer...
Smith, watauga, soho, new. There is a nice wave train on the soho at generation.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=766040786940077&id=185914311619397
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Guy a few blocks from me has one of these on a trailer in his drive.
https://www.davescaddenpaddlesports.com/product-page/dave-scadden-s-2018-dragonfly-xtc-pro-guide (https://www.davescaddenpaddlesports.com/product-page/dave-scadden-s-2018-dragonfly-xtc-pro-guide)