I am considering buying a personal catatraft and was wondering what experiences other people have had with different brands. I am leaning toward the Steelheaders. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

I posted about pontoon boats few days ago and did some search and this is what I found out.

- Cabela's has some. Outcast and Creek Company w/ lifetime guarantee that I was interested in.
- Outcast
- Buck's bag
- Steelheader
Plus couple other names that I don't remember. Do a search for pontoon and you find some info. I haven't had mcuh time to research.

Also check out the "Bad Cats" that are being carried by Ted's in Lynnwood. I think they are better and cheaper than the steelheader.

Checked out the bad cats at Ted's. They look VERY solid and nice but they only make a 1 man at this time. They said maybe in the near? future. What store sells the steelheader? I like to go and look.

Click the link:

http://www.steelheader.com/

My buddy has a couple of the Osprey models we use mostly around the Grays Harbor drainage and up on the peninsula. They work great for our use, and they allow you to fish waters that aren't really accessible by drift boat.

Stihlhead,

Bad Cat has a 2 man raft now. I talked to the owner of the Bad Cat company at the Sportsman's Show. I saw the 12' x 22" pontoons for it on his truck out in the parking lot.

I am hoping to have the money for the 2 man bad cat some time next month.

He uses two of the same frame that he has on the 10' boat (or was it 9' I can't remember). That gives the front guy and the rower platforms to stand on. He also said that he could make a high rise tube for the front guy to lean against.

I talked to him for a long time about the 2 man Bad Cat boat. I have a 10' Creek Company boat and want to also have a 2 person but I want the Bad Cat for my next boat. Have Ted's give him a call.

All,
Thanks for the info.

I feel very comfortable on my little Bucks Bag South Fork 2. Stainless steel frame, good oars, added a few rod holders to the cooler on the back platform, and soon one flush mount on the seat and I can carry ALL my gear, lunch, three or four rods, a net, a shotgun, spare oar and an anchor. I might be concerned on some really nasty rivers, but all the rivers near me are easily within the capabilities of the boat I have chosen.

I just got a Bucks Bag Bronco which allows you to walk right out of the seat. I think this is a huge plus. The Steelheader has a platform, so you need to decide if you want the platform for standing or want to step right out. Steelheader is a well mad/heavy duty pontoon boat if that is what you are looking for. Not sure how much it weighs but has to way more than my 11 ft Bronco which ways about 65 lbs. Good luck deciding, that is part of the fun,

Does a platform help from getting splashed? My old 9' didn't have any and I wonder if it is a nice feature to have especially if you can easily take if off or put it back on.

A platform helps minimize splash up but does not eliminate it completely. Bigger waves still may come over the bow of the boat. But these type of setups are a lot better then the kickboat styles of frames.