I cannot recall when I first acquired the Southfork pontoon ‘boat’…maybe 15 years ago or more. It has the old steel frame. I replaced the shorter oars with bigger oars for possible river use and more frequently rowing across big lakes. I also carry so much stuff that I replaced the side gear bags with bottomless, ill fitting bags that the oars brush over as I row. I have those pads because frankly if given the chance I will fish the whole damn day, or until my ass goes to sleep from the pressures across the back of my thighs from the seat edge. I love the damn thing, BUT….it can be like a giant sail boat in big winds. I have been blown so hard that I have come to a complete stalemate with the wind, rowing and neither gaining nor losing ‘ground’. Well hell that can’t last long. I have had to finally head to shore and cut my losses to stop from getting blown to the far side.
I use to easily lift the craft plus gear over head and walk up hill and throw it atop a van. Now, for assorted reasons that seems a long time ago. I do have an Outcast Fish Cat that also keeps one up out of the water. I may be evolving toward that as it gets harder to go alone and muscle all that gear around. It has been one successful fishing machine over the years. What the hell happened?
SwittersB & Exploring 
I was wondering do you have an anchor system? Also, what is the carabiner for?
LikeLike
Hello Sam,
I do carry a rigged up affair that coordinates ok with my particular pontoon boat, but not necessarily someone elses. The 10# pyramid anchor is attached to 40′ of poly rope. I rarely anchor in deeper than 30′ of water, usually more like 10-15′. The anchor is carried in a small Rubbermaid bin. I have attached poly cord to each side and those 18″ long cords are attached to the metal bar that run across the back of my boat and is not very prevalent these days on newer boats. The anchor rope’s end has a carabiner that is attached to a D loop on the rear of the ‘toon.
The carabiner up front is a means to secure the anchor rope up front. If I let out the anchor and 15′ of rope in say 10’ or water, I will run the rope up front along side my seat and tie it off on the carabiner. This setup has held pretty good in rolling waves and big winds. My son uses a 10# mushroom shaped anchor that works pretty good too. My pyramid is more compact and holds pretty well.
LikeLike
Rolling waves, big winds…..and people say I am a die hard because I ice fish. at least I have a shack with a heater!
LikeLike
No, no…ice fishing is truly die hard.
LikeLike