The Maiden Voyage

[ruthven78]

Well except for turning down the wrong road, getting to Amber was pretty easy. I learned quite a few things about toons thanks to LowtechJoe and Marc.

The things I learned:

1. Dont put anything in the seat you are concerned about getting wet. I had placed my camera in the seat, and not thinking pointed the front of the boat toward the water so I could get the wheel off. Well the camera rolled off the chair and splunk, right into the water. The case is not water proof but it still takes good photos lol.

2. If you are affraid to put too much air into the toons, you wont put enough. I was pretty low in the water, lots of drag, was a lot better after joe let me use his pump cause I put mine in the car. Better inflation makes rowing easier, you sit higher too.

3. Fat men....put your seat all the way forward, also put your frames as far forward as possible. You will sit more balanced this way. Im 270 and 5'10" and was sitting pretty even with a cooler in the back basket and my 1 brick anchor.

4. Tighten down your seat, put it in the water, sit in it, then reach down from the sides and tighten em, then get up and tighten them some more. About 10 minutes into rowing my seat slid all the way back and made me rest lopsided so I had find a shoreline where I could get out and adjust it.

5. Bring your pump with you. That way you can adjust if the cold water makes the air condense.

6. Buy fins. My arms and back and pretty sore right now since this is the first rowing of the year. For long lakes, consider bringing a trolling motor. It will save your legs and arms, especially in a wind.

8. Check and recheck your tackle before shoving off. I didnt realize I was low on leader until it was too late.

9. The wheel on the Colorado XT and Coloado Outfitter XT makes for a lot of drag, even in the stow-away position. Joe and I agree, its best not even attached to the boat. Maybe some of you lighter people might not have problems but for me its down in the water. Its also pretty much just a pain in the ass to get in and out of the receiver tubes, I may not even use it anymore or figure something else out.

10. The anchor bag that comes with the toon is ok, but it certainly doesnt give you enough rope. Toss the rope that comes with it and get something else the same diameter. I found it easier to just reach back and pull the anchor up instead of using the pulley system. A single red brick was all I needed even in a little wind.

11. Dont forget your sunscreen...yea the back of my neck, sides of my face, nose, and tops of my arms are red as a lobster. Marc offered me some but by then it was too late.

12. Tighten down everything that can be. The oar stop on my left oar came loose and since I didnt have a screwdriver I wasnt able to adjust it, I was about to smash it back on somewhat but it kept coming off.

I think that is all of the things I learned about my pontoon boat and tooning in general. I really like how I can put the cooler behind me and just reach around, grab my water bottle, take a drink and put it back...stays nice and cold. I thought, just for grins, about getting a pirate flag for it. Below are the pictures I took, waiting for Marc to send me the photo he took of me in my boat.

[ruthven78]

Dry run


Marc and LowtechJoe (marc left, joe right)


Marc with a fish on


End of the voyage


Red as a lobster




larger versions available at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruthven78/

a little under inflated

[Lotech Joe]

Good fishing with you today. I had lots of fun. But, I'm with you on that wheel. If the boat goes in the water, the wheel goes in the truck. I too had problems with my seat. It definitely needs some adjustment. My shakedown cruise still needs some shaking. I'm seriously considering an electric trolling motor. Especially when your worn out and have to kick fin or row back to the launch against the wind. All in all, it was a good day, and it gave me lots more to tinker with.

[kutthroatkilla]

Awesome pointers/tips. Looks like you guys had a fun day on the Lake. Good to hear! I like to see those toons out there...lookin good! KTK

[Marc Martyn]

Wow!:cyclopsan When you said sunburn, you weren't kidding! I can't believe that your camera still works after falling in the lake!

We all had a great time on the lake with you today. Hope that we can meet up again.

[Trent Hale]

Looks good a place for your cooler too thats great!

[kevinb]

Sounds like you guys had a blast(other than the sunburn) I love the photos,the lake looks nice and peaceful. Makes the blood pressure come down.:thumleft:

[leahcim_dahc]

Nice looking 'toon. Sounds like everyone had a great day on the water.

about getting a pirate flag for it.

need one of these...

[ruthven78]

heh, would be cool to put on the back of the seat..... Joe put a wl.com bumpersticker on the back of his seat