I want to buy a pontoon boat and I cant decide on a one man or a two man or a brand I want a good one. where's the best place to get one what should I expect to pay? THANKS!!!

dd-
The reason behind owning a pontoon boat is lost in a two-manner.

I fish out of a pontoon boat a lot because they are small and easy to pack and I can take them down the smallest rivers that are all but boat launch free.

I also run a pontoon boat a lot because I am more often then not, fishing solo. Taking a driftboat down a river by one's self is a pointless pain in the ass.

A two-man pontoon boat just does not offer these agvantages to the extent that I like, if at all and thus I stick with one man boats.

If you and a buddy are looking at a two-man boat then I would highly suggest just buying two pontoon boats.

...unless you are planning on fishing from the pontoon boat itself. A two-man pontoon boat is very condusive as a fishing platform where single-man pontoon boat is not.

When it comes to brands I would stick with Buck's Bags or Outcast. They are both top of the line brands that are readily avaliable at excellent prices.

Now now Sparkey. Don't mislead the poor guy. There is a world of good things to a two+ man cataraft (hence I did not say pontoon boat). You draft much less water then a driftboat (I run my 16' cat on the Nooch during summerflows with minimal dragging, couldn't do that when I had a DB). I'd HIGHLY suggest you staying away from the two man Outcasts. Those brands don't increase diameter of tubes nor the width of frames when they increase size. Hence, they have dimenished carrying capacities. I do believe the last time I checked a 12' outcast could only carry 600lbs!!!! Most 12' catarafts handle around 1000lbs. There are upsides and downsides to catarafts. They're more maneuverable. They are more forgiving, and draft less water.

If you want a good boat, have one built. Best way to go. Check out a set of Outcasts (do bucks make a 2 man boat???). You look at a 9' Outcast, then a 12' Outcast. You'll see they use the same frame on both. Then add a special extra module for front passenger. BIG mistake. You want that boat to have a stance on it when you stand up. Same as having a wider track on a vehicle. Bigger stance means more stability.

Depends on your budget, but I'd highly suggest buying a set of whitewater tubes (Wings, Aire, Sotar, NRS, etc) and having Osprey on here build you a custom frame. You'll be much happier with it. Sparkey's too afraid to run on my big cat, he's afraid to eat crow. I've run (and ownded) most of the boats he's talking about, and can judge all the way around.

I almost forgot, you'll be looking to spend around $1300-2000 for a GOOD quality 2 man boat. You go 3 man and double that.

Maybe some one could fill me in on what it would cost to have a boat custom built by osprey. As I am in the market also.

Hi if you are looking for a custom boat I mayBe able to help go to WWW.BlackBearPontoons.com Thanks Scott

Shoot Osprey an email at steelheaderboy@aol.com . He builds one helluva frame. Can lead you to what tubes to buy depending on price range. He's an excellent frame builder. I've worked with some guys back in my whitewatering days. They did awesome work for being "specialists" in building frames. Osprey does it on the side and matches, if not exceeds, their work. Give him a shout and see what he can do for you. I've seen them all, he is top notch on custom welds. Can't quote you a price, everyone's needs are different. Depending on frame design, and style tubes you go with dictates price. I only use premade tubes by whitewater companies. Then build my own frames to suit.