I’m looking into getting a flats boat this year with a poling platform and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on the types of push poles I should be looking at. The boat I’m looking to get is 17 Ft. and weighs less than a 1000 lbs. Any help on this is much appreciated.
I might be making some for sale if you’re interested in carbon fiber. You can go with fiberglass as well, but they’ll weigh about 3x more.
20-22ft seems to be what most people with 16-17ft skiffs like.
What I’m thinking about is a 21ft carbon pole for about $550.00 that weighs under 4lbs. Stainless tip and protective cover so you don’t have to repaint or reepoxy every year or two to not have it burred up.
Stiffy and Carbon Marine are the big names.
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
I have a 17 foot Sundance flats boat (FX17 Flicker) with a poling platform that weighs less than 900 lbs. With the 70HP 4 stroke Yamaha the boat and motor together are about 1150 lbs.
I got the Stiffy Composite 21 foot and love it. It seems just right for the size boat and to me it handles easily. It was a good bit cheaper than the complete carbon fiber pole. I never get tired from using it and haven’t had any hand/blister issues - I don’t wear gloves. I’m not out there everyday so maybe it would be different if I was but I’m really happy w/ my Stiffy. (he he).
My fat a pushs around an 18’ dolphin (1700lbs) easily with 21’ carbon fiber pole. Had a heavy fiberglass pole originally and it flexed (wasted energy) too much when really pushing hard after fish. After having both i would say the lightweight and ridgid carbon fiber pole is the way to go.
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-HT Bugbuster
Phin,
Can you post pictures of the kind of blanks you would use? Always looking for a better mousetrap.
I have a fiberglass and a stiffy composite currently. You can break both but on a heavy wind day I bring the fiberglass as I use it as a anchor pin. The stiffy of course poles better and the ribs on the pole are easier on the hands and catch your hands when poling. Big advantage.
big dog
As “Chella” said; lightweight and rigid.
“One tends to learn more when using their eyes and ears…instead of running their mouth!”
Thanks guys for all the help.
Phin,
I may be interested in what you have going on with the carbon fiber one. I will let you know once I get the boat.
quote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillPhin,
Can you post pictures of the kind of blanks you would use? Always looking for a better mousetrap.
I have a fiberglass and a stiffy composite currently. You can break both but on a heavy wind day I bring the fiberglass as I use it as a anchor pin. The stiffy of course poles better and the ribs on the pole are easier on the hands and catch your hands when poling. Big advantage.
big dog
It’d be a uni layup, which is similar to what a fiberglass VHF antenna’s finish pattern looks like, but it would be with some 45 degree plies added in between for more resistance to breakage. What are your thoughts on a vinyl plastic type coating to make the thing not need painting/recoating every few years? Would you rather have the rougher texture with less coating for the more aggressive grip?
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
Sorry for the delay in responding .
The 45 degree wrap that stiffy uses is all the texture/ grip I feel I need. Rough up the finish and plug mud does not come off as easy as slick.
Not sure of your coating idea as I still have all the finish on both of my poles and they are over three years old. Sons stiffy which he uses in the charter biz is four years old, sits outside in the sun, and is not in need of refinish.
big dog