Pontoon Boat("FoldCat375fc") , Any Experiences and/or Opinions ?

[diemai]

Hi , folks ,

Just came across this one on the web , and it seems to come in quite handy for my fishing demands .

FoldCat Inflatable Catamaran

Sea Eagle FoldCat Review 375fc Fishing Inflatable Trout Bass

Don't have such over here , .......even the local distributor of "Seaeagle" , only running a shop on Ebay , does not offer these in there .

Presently me and my wife are using a foldable "Banana-Boat"(German made model utilizing same principle like "Porta-Bote") , we've been using it for more than 13 years now .

This "FoldCat375fc" seems to assemble equally fast to my present small boat , but obviously it is a bit bigger , more stable to stand/sit on it , the seats are more comfortable as just row benches and generally one sits a bit higher above water level .

Transport seems to be easier than with the boat , that I have now , since once assembled , that "FoldCat" just rolls up and fits in it's bag , no need to extra carry a couple of seatbenches around , all is in one bag !

Also I won't have to hump it on the roof rack anymore but just slide it through the back door of our pick-up .

All accessories like paddles , outboard motor , tackle boxes , rods , rod holders , sonar , anchor , landing net, etc. , I'd have to carry and assemble/store to the boat anyway , no matter of what type ,...... so that won't make any difference .

I am wondering , why all the pictures/videos in that links above were shot in more or less calm conditions ,..... and this is one drawback , that I am concerned about !

Maybe that boat would not be suited for rough waters in windy weather(most successful predator fishing in these conditions over here) ,......I am refering to short waves of up to about 1 1/2 feet(as white spray starts to evolve on top of them) and long waves of 2 1/2 feet height(on big lakes) .

And how would it act , when crossing the waves generated at the stern of passing bigger boats(6 to 8 mph) ?

These are the conditions , that my present boat can handle , more or less , though not very convinient and a wet affair sometimes(water splashing inside) , .....wouldn't like to have any drawback on that issues .

I know , that inflatables are pretty much affected by wind , exhausting to row in windy weather , but most likely I'd be using a gas outboard 3,3 HP , so no problem about that .

In that review at "TackleTour" they wrote , that the person in front might also get wet in rough weather , .....I am also wondering , why the front seat is lower than the rear one , .......or it is just set that way ?

Does not seem to be that comfortable to sit as low with angled knees(at least not to me) .

Another drawback is how to store tackleboxes and sonar on those single deckboards , ..., I'd be afraid , that these could slide overboard(I am most like using a bigger "Plano" suitcase-like box plus a slender pouch with inside tubing for longer crankbaits) .

Would not like to strap these , since I'd always like to have rapid access , so I am thinking , one could build some platforms of plywood or aluminium sheet with 90

[LooksLikeSinbad]

I have read about them a lot and considered buying one. I have heard many good things.

Here are some useful threads:

Sea Eagle FoldCat - Day 1 - The New York Bass Forums

Bass Fishing Forums - sea eagle

There was also some photos of a guy who had his outfitted with rod holders, depth finder, trolling motor etc. but I can't find it right now.

[LooksLikeSinbad]

Here it is:

Manhattan boat project - The New York Bass Forums

[diemai]

@ LooksLikeSinbad

Thanks a lot for those links(though I could not open up "Bass Fishing Forums" , wrong server ???) , they are very informative , just had a brief look-over !

That guy there really did a lot of tinkering to rig the boat to his own demands , really love it . He made it look just great and very professional with the added boards to make up for a plane deck and all the racks and holders on board . Couldn't stop myself looking at those pictures .

Those little problems about the oars I can overlook , I would not use them a lot and one can surely get something fixed . Also soft screws won't be a problem .

If I understood right , the rear seat is a bit higher than the front , since there is a kind of extension mounted to that one ?

I am getting to like that "FoldCat" more and more , but some more drawbacks are , that the shipping charge to Europe would be about 350$ to 400 $ I suppose , plus the local IRS would rip me off for another 19% VAT plus 4% Eurotax , taken on merchandise value PLUS shipping charge , .......so this would increase the price a real big bit .

Never found something similar locally , and even if I would , it would not be cheaper , anyway .

Just painful somehow seeing the sales price in $ , and divide it by 1,3 (