tominsdtn Loc: Soddy Daisy TN

Had one that I used for bass fishing. Hooked a big pike and went for a little ride around the lake LOL.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

I also was of a mind to purchase an inflatable... I looked at Zodiac and Avon and am wondering what brands do you guys own, that seem to be serviceable. I too, was worried about sharp hooks aboard "rubber boats".

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

Been zodiacing,
Hooks are a concern for careless people. Small leak at best. No pops or blowouts to be expected.
Too bouncy for comfortable boating in open waters. IMO

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

I've used mine a couple of times this year and caught an 8lb catfish, just kept it away from the boat. Had bass as well, just need to watch where the fish is going. Bought it last year and was out plenty of times,be careful is the main thing.

FinFisherman Loc: Born in Ohio - 40 yrs Florida- Clearwater,Fl

I love my 9' XT. After mods I'm extremely satisfied and I can get off and on in deep water.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Bottomcoon: Tell me more about your inflatable. Do you trailer it, or does it fit into a SUV? Or do you haul it in a pickup? Just Sayin...RJS

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Sea Eagle is my choice.
I have four, a 14' Foldcat(unfortunately they only make the 12' now), a 330 kayak and two 285 fpb's.
Have had Sevylor and Intex products.... serviceable for a "splash and giggle " trip down the river or floating around on the lake, but NOT a good choice for fishing, too thin, too susceptible to small elusive leaks, and generally kinda uncomfy for any length of time.

The best thing about inflatables is storage and transport.
The worst(?...no biggie) is drying/cleaning properly after use, before travel and, much more importantly, before storage.

Only one of my 285fpb's (frameless pontoon boat)was bought new. The Foldcat is a 2009 model, and the previous owner upgraded the oar lock brackets and oars and took it down the infamous Colorado River, saw the pics. The other 285fpb is a 2012 model, no leaks, looks as good as my 2018 bought new. Have no idea how old the 330 kayak is, but was purchased through Craigslist from an older gentleman that said he no longer used it "as much as I used to"..... again... looks as new.
No, I get no kick-back, nor do I work for Sea Eagle (though, were I still working, would in a heartbeat...they also make/own Panther Martin lures !) in touting their products. I simply pass on my first-hand knowledge, hoping to help someone who might be on the fence about the quality, functionality, and practicality.

Do the due diligence on whatever manufacturer and model that suits your needs, but certainly, don't dismiss inflatables as being "a toy boat" or incapable of pretty much everything a "hard boat" does... with the possible exceptions of speed(limits on propulsion power source) and dealing with wind (and that expertise will come with experience).
Good luck, be safe.......
go fishing !

PS.... have a customized Harbour Freight trailer for the Foldcat, but like the other 3 boats, can be made to travel in the back of my Forester or easily shoved into the bed of my F250. Have even strapped the 285fbp on my trunk lid luggage rack of my little Audi TT roadster, the seat and floorboard and trolling motor & battery inside the trunk, tight, but doable.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I lived aboard a sail boat for a year with my family. We cruised from Maine to Florida. I towed a 10 foot Avon the whole trip. It was my fishing boat for numerous types of fish with both teeth and spiked fins through much of the ICW. I never had a problem. We had a 15 hp. Evinrude on the back. The motor cover was a 9.9 for several legal reasons. Upon completion of the trip, I used that boat to jump surf in California and fished all over Puget Sound. Use common sense and you can do an awful lot with an inflatable including put it in your car trunk with a motor. They row like a tethered rock, so use a motor. Require life jackets at all times as there are no rails or good hand holds. Be safe and enjoy. Kids love them. I am referring to transom style inflatable boats. The quality construction kayaks, canoes and pontoon boats are also outstanding for fishing. I have owned each and loved them. I still have a couple different styles. Again, just know your boats limits and enjoy.

Able Man Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)

Thank you all, so very much; for the feedback... If anyone reading this is aware of a "problem child" of a Brand of inflatable; I would greatly appreciate, at least a "PM" about your experience with what DOESN'T END WELL... I'm a big, BIG "Believer in" the whole concept of "learning from OTHER PEOPLE'S MISTAKES" rather than having to "grasp a hot casting wearing wet gloves" to realize the fact that cotton is a MUCH more efficient conductor of HEAT; when wet. (I guess it's actually the water that "conducts the heat"... ) ... Long story short= ¡Keep your gloves dry!

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

Hello Mr Samples. The photo FinFisherman posted is identical to my pontoon except mine is 10 ft & blue. The brand is Outcast & I purchased it in 2010. I recently moved my 55 lb thrust trolling motor to the front of the boat. It made steering much easier on my old shoulders. I've noticed that the boat requires a little more steerage with the motor up front but not enough to be a problem. I see FinFisherman has his battery under his seat. Mine has a rear platform where I store my battery & small ice chest for my water. If I'm planning on fishing some larger places I take an extra battery. I can't tell it's on the boat but I've never had to use it, it's just insurance. I mounted one of my older Lowrance X510 fish finders on the frame where it's easy to see. There's no fancy programs but it gives me a good color picture of the bottom under me & shows fish so that's good enough. I usually don't run a fish finder & trolling motor on the same battery but I have had no issues on this pontoon. I also mounted a holster for my Taurus Judge within easy reach. My trailer was an old Dilly boat trailer. I removed all guide on 's, bunks & wiring then had the trailer sandblasted. I painted the trailer, put in new wiring & lights plus built new 12 inch wide carpeted bunks. The boat is loaded & unloaded easily & is held on by front & rear straps & I attach the winch strap. I tried night fishing a couple times but just wasn't comfortable with it. I have a real boat for that. I carry 2 rods & have put a 10 inch piece of swim noodle foam on each rod in case I drop it. I have done that a couple times & the swim noodle floats the rod & keeps me from losing an outfit. I use a fish basket with a swim noodle around the top to keep it afloat. I kept the trailer tongue long so I can back up into some ponds to unload & that keeps my truck out of the mud. I enjoy my pontoon. I've taken it to Alaska & Canada plus it goes with me most vacations. I don't own a car or SUV, my wife & I both drive 4x4 pickups & I deflate the boat & load it in the back. I hope this explains my pontoon for you Mr Samples, ask again if not. Tight lines.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Which Airhead do you have BC?

Bearcreeker Loc: Ormond beach , fl

No problem
Suggest an electric motor with a solar panel (Amazon $40)
My motor requires 75 amps to start
And first one I got was 40 amps so I ordered another same size and worked fine connected in series but I suggest
100 amp

Jeremy Loc: America

Exactly. If could build a canopy with a 200w solar panel would be ideal. It would provide shade... reduce rain... and produce electricity for propulsion and or tunes etc.

I bought an air pump for rafts etc at Harbor Freight recently. Uses 20v cordless drill batteries.

bottomcoon Loc: Tahlequah, oklahoma

My airhead is a 12 volt high pressure/high volume that comes with battery clamps to attach to the battery. There's a cheaper model 12 volt that plugs into a cigarette lighter, don't get that one. The model like mine also comes in 120 volt but I have a battery right there & no idea where an electrical might be. Bass Pro carries the 120 volt model. I bought mine off ebay 11 years ago & it works good as ever. I hope you get to enjoy your pontoon as much as I do mine. Tight lines 27.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

I'm waiting on my trailer to get here - some time next month probably. I've got a 120V pump and I've got an inverter to convert 12 volt to AC, but always looking for something different. I've got the same CT as Fin showed his picture of, cept mine is green. Minnkota 50 on the rear transom for now.