COLORADO XT (Wilderness SE) Pontoon mod overview!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 вер 2020
- Ride with me as I show you around my Colorado XT fishing machine and some modifications I've made. BUT, I forgot to show THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE.
Here are links to my other Colorado XT pontoon tutorials as well as Amazon Affiliate links to the products I used. Really appreciate you using the links, it doesn't cost you anything and I earn a very small commission.
TUTORIALS:
WPM Speed Controller (THE BEST!)
• Trolling Motor Speed C...
Chair Driven Steering:
• Colorado XT PONTOON *H...
How to Install a fish finder and Transducer!
• Colorado XT Pontoon TU...
My Garmin Striker 4cv review:
• Garmin Striker 4cv Dem...
**EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO UPGRADE YOUR PONTOON!!!**
(Amazon Affiliate links if you're interested! I earn a small commission on each purchase)
Garmin Striker 4CV
amzn.to/3zzbJgV
The Essential Pontoon Battery Box
amzn.to/3vgx5Ns
Battery I recommend
Everstart 29dc
Colorado XT Pontoon:
amzn.to/3S1iqQe
**TROLLING MOTOR**
Trolling Motor:
amzn.to/3beEINE
PWM (Speed Controller for Trolling Motor):
amzn.to/3J4hmHf
Extra Trolling Motor Wire for PWM Install:
amzn.to/3bdJuLn
**CHAIR STEERING**
Chair Steering Bungees:
amzn.to/3vcYosf
Rotating Chair Base:
amzn.to/3BdEDEK
**MUST HAVE AIR PUMP**
S.U.P. Air PUMP
amzn.to/3S4UOKo
**It Will change your life!**
OR
Double Action Pump (No Electricity Required!)
amzn.to/3owRH0g
Hey y'all, I posted several more videos on the different mods I've made to my PONTOON! Check them out on my channel and consider subscribing!
@Ironmonkey103 I can go all day, but I have a very large battery.
The kids are wrong. Can't wait to see what a 60lb thrust will do on the back of mine, when I get one. You were moving along very well.
Since you were helpful, I'll return the favor. I don't know why you haven't done this but, in case you think about it: ua-cam.com/video/c8aUf8cAeh0/v-deo.html
The 10 ft. Outcast with 8 ft. Oars tracks good.
That bungee hack for the seat/trolling motor is genius... Gonna have to do that when I get a trolling motor for mine!
That's so rad!
That bungee hack!!! Fellas always have your oars on board regardless of how well your motor works!
Thanks for the great tutorials.
Glad you like them!
That is awesome brother! Completely genius idea with the seat and trolling motor!!! Subscribed...tell your kids you're a cool dad! Tight Lines!
Thanks! I will definitely tell them!
You sir are brilliant thank you for the video
Enjoyable video and your buddy was right, my 30lb trolling motor felt like I was on an ice zamboni, until I added the rudder and now it tracks like a champ. It's a must have in my book.
Do what I did... buy a used small utility trailer and convert it to a boat trailer and keep your XT semi-inflated and "ready to go"... saves hours and the hassles
I have a 04 Chevy S10 4door so I have a very small bed on my truck but I figured out if I let out about a 3rd of the air out of each pontoon that I can get it to slide and fit into my truck bed 👍👍 so much better than doing it all bfore you hit the water
Really enjoyed this. Chimo
Thanks so much!
Great ideas for my XT!
I appreciate your real approach to the pro's and con's of your mods. You are the FIRST one I've seen address the tracking issue! I'll over the oars concept. They otherwise seem to be in the way when not used. I have yet to mount my Minn Kota. And I've literally been blown off of a lake in western WA, while trying to row!!!! Absolutely zero control. I've tried to envision a retractable keel design but have other projects to finish first.
As far as transport and set up goes. Mine slides right into my pickup bed fully inflated. Most of my gear fits behind the seat in my extended cab. As long as I can back up close to the water to launch, it's a slam dunk! (Pun intended).
I have a full size chevy so I'm going to try to load it fully in that. Man I hate the wind!
Got my Colorado Classic today...it only cost me $295.00 plus Free Shipping from Amazon on Memorial Day weekend. Removed it from the boxes and it fit nicely into the trunk of my old VW Jetta TDI. Naturally, it is supposed to rain for the next four days or so but I'm gonna do a few mods before I take her out on her Maiden Voyage here in Central Oregon !
Grabbed one myself at that price. Now they're $500.
Came across your channel and have enjoyed it and your enthusiasm! Keep 'em coming. If I may, here is an idea to help make your time arriving to the water and into it much quicker. I have two ways of doing this. First, I place my 90% assembled 9' Outcast on top of the my pickup beds BakFlip cover (it is a short bed). I see your pickup does not have a cover, so just use you skills to make a simple cover of sorts with 2x4's and plywood. Slide your boat on, minus the heavier gear, and strap it down. Saves a ton of time; only one year instead of a thousand! LOL. Second, I have an aluminum trailer I haul my Polaris Ranger around I also use to haul my boat and my buddies pontoon as well. (See the very end of my latest UA-cam video.) The second boat sits above on supports from the trailers stack holes. I am also a kayaker and run a small trolling motor through the peddle drive hole. If you search UA-cam, you will see many have used inexpensive Harbor Freight trailers to haul their kayaks. Others find a used trailer and rig it up accordingly. I hope you or your views will find value in these ideas. I'm all about getting into the water and not spending time setting up. Good luck and tight lines - Cheers!
Thanks so much and nice crappie! I was thinking about building a bed platform this spring so you are my confirmation! Thanks for taking the time!
Cool stuff ! I do however use flippers on my xt..often times just put her in reverse at slow speed and lightly kick and steer with my feet..if it’s dead calm you can easily may ever that boat with your feet..just some food for thought!
I need all of these videos. I have dumb ideas, you already did them.
and there are so many more... :)
cool man I sold a motorhome i had parked in athol id. and bought a pontoon in manteca ca. now i just need to get back up in the panhandle with mine. i love it . it is a pain in the ass to transport.
A huge pain for sure! Thanks for watching!
Mine isn't a huge pain you guys are killing yourselves I use a flat trailer and slide it right off into the water
If you leave the pontoons inflated and only take apart the seat section of the frame and also leave the pontoons strapped to the outer frame it cuts the setup time by like 90%. I have a small/midsized suv and I toss the pontoons on the top and the rest of the frame in the back without having to lay the rear seat down. Rods and gear do in the back seat and I'm ready to float 20 minutes after I show up to the water. I also put a standing platform on mine and clamp the trolling motor to the front so I wouldn't have to deal with setting up any steering mechanism. Take 3 minutes to set up the trolling motor.
Great stuff dude - use your ideas at mine pantoon thanks from other side of the world
Happy to help!
got it
The Sea Eagle 285 looks a little like it, but it has a floor so you could also stand. You should do a comparison. I’m sure you’ll like the Sea Eagle better. It’s very stable.
Or 👉 ua-cam.com/video/c8aUf8cAeh0/v-deo.html
Awesome thank you
Thanks Jerry, make sure to subscribe!
you can put trolling motors and steering systems on a kayak
Keep your pontoons hooked up to frame that straps on. Fold the ends up an store.when your ready to use. Pull out an unfold and blow up.frame and straps will be perfect. Blow them up at home with air compressor and load in truck. No more pumping up at lake.
These two things will save you a lot a time. Keep all your lures fish
Finder and what ever else you need in bags on toons when you store them. Everything
Will be ready to go next time you go fishing
Great tip!
If your using a trolling motor. I drilled a hole low on the front of my oar frame and slid bolt threw. Then drilled hole through top of oar. Make sure your oar blade is straight up and down when you drill whole. Put on nut to hold on. Oar should be going down the outside of your toon with blade going out back. I use a strap to the frame in the back to keep blade in position just under warter. Do both oars like this. Keeps oars out of the way. Takes a few minutes to hook up. And your toon will track like a dream
@@thomaskass6668 brilliant
I bought a Clark Fork yesterday. When I got home I wanted to see how long it would take me to get it set up and ready to use. It took me all of 15 minutes. It takes you so long to set yours up because you have all that crap on it.
I bought a Kayak first, then sold it to buy a Colorado. So glad I did! I'm definitely interested in the sonar mount for the Garmin. Mine is attached to the trolling motor. I was going to buy the rudder, but after seeing your idea with the oars, I'm going to try that first. I also just bought a PVM to adjust my trolling speed and get more life out of my battery. Your seat steering is great! How did you attach to the motor shaft? Thanks for the video!
I'll make another video in a couple weeks explaining the specifics you mentioned. Video is worth a million words. Might want to buy two of the pvm. They are SUPER cheap. My first one broke immediately. So, be very gentle with it!
Here you go! ua-cam.com/video/rJa-9oGiDL8/v-deo.html
I was not able to see your pvc rod holder very well. Could you show a close up?
thanks. Great vid by the way.
Hey John, you can get a better view on this video. It's meant to hold my 10ft sturgeon rod unlike a normal rod holder. ua-cam.com/video/MNKo3zesUgI/v-deo.html
First, love the hands free idea. Couple of questions, what thrust do you recommend that I get for my trolling motor. I was thinking about the minn kota traxxis 45 transom mount.
Also, are you using a bow mount motor, and if so how do you control the speed or stop if you have too? My Colorado should be here next week and I am stoked to finally get offshore.
Great vid, subbed and liked.
I have the 30, but a tad bigger would have been the ticket. Make sure it has a longer shaft than Minn Kota 30lb. Mine sucks air if the weight isn't just right. Speed: Check out a quick video on my channel on the controller I rigged up. It's a sweet setup that will save you a ton of battery and gives a ton of flexibility on speed. Plus no turning in my seat to throttle or stop.
@@willritter Just checked and the 45 only comes with a 36" shaft. The 55 comes with a 42" shaft. Would the 36" be enough or should I go for the 55lb. 42"? Do you think that would be too much for the boat?
@@willritter I just checked again and see the 30 has a 30" shaft so I'm guessing that 36" would be good. Thanks for the heads up man.
Hi from Northern CA. On your steering system: 1) is it better to have the motor backwards and use reverse with the PWM? 2) is it better to use flat bungees than round ones? 3) I used a U-bolt with shackle but I thought I got some slippage so I'm thinking to use just the U-bolt. Didn't want to overtighten and damage the shaft on the Endura 40. No fishing trips yet but I'm thinking the Colorado Wilderness with your mods (and more) is going to be lots of fun on small lakes. Thanks, Frank
Use the forward speed. I believe the windings are different and you won't be able to go as fast. You can take out the one bolt that attaches the head to the shaft, turn it backwards, and then reattach. 2. Doubt it matters on the bungees. I chose those because they had plastic hooks instead of metal ones. The shaft is pretty thick, as long as your ubolt is the proper size, you should be able to crank down enough to keep it from slipping. The wood helped mine too grip well. Have a great time!!!
I hope you figured out how to solve the slow setup process, I have a SUV and can put everything together in 3:15 seconds.
Can you detail how you added the seat swivel? I purchased the swivel you recommended. However the bolts are too short to reach through the swivel and the raft frame. I’m having a hard time figuring out to replace with longer bolts. Thank you
Hi, I bought some STAINLESS machine bolts, nuts, washers, from the hardware store.
Is it easy to break down and travel with or is a truck pretty much a requirement? I've been using inflatables and I was thinking of adding one of these to my fleet if I could tuck it in the trunk of my Prius
The frame is held together with removable pins, so it can be broken down much farther, but with the amount of accessories I have (like a fish finder) taking it all the way apart is not realistic for me.
I have a Colorado xt pontoon. I like it. I need to get a fish finder. Which one did you get ? Can you see the video on it please, and thank you
Hopefully you found my review of my Garmin
Two years ago i copied you.. thanks for the info.. the problem i had is with the wires to the pwm are too small so they got super hot and i used wire for the seat stearing connection. i don't recommend that. this year i'm going to use bungee and see if it's better.
This is awesome, looking at a pontoon option right now since I didn't want to drop 2000 dollars on a hobie. If I'm buying used what would be some red flags or just general tips you'd give when looking?
Faded material (uv damage), check where the straps anchor into the material for tearing, the metal is steel so if the powder coat chips off, it can rust from the inside. Hope this helps
@@willritter thanks! heading out to take look on the weekend I'll keep this in mind!
I have one for sale in Iowa if you're interested. It's only been in the water 2x.
@@Northeasy_Iowa_Outdoors Thanks, though I already purchased one. High demand for one that new so I'm sure it'll sell quick
Sea Eagle 285. Check it out!
Do you have a video on setting up the speed control
I'll get one out for you
It's up if you hadn't seen it yet!
What kind of pump do you use to fill your pontoons? How do you know when they're full enough?
Last time I went out I brought my trolling motor and battery and it was bogging down the back quite a bit. I even had the battery next to me to distribute the weight better. I'm like 130lbs myself. what am I doing wrong??? More air?
Hi Josh, I use a cheap double action pump from Walmart. Your pontoon should be tight as a drum. They make a gauge for it, and the psi is listed on the boat.
@@willritter Awesome, thank you!
I suppose it would be hard to over inflate these with a hand pump?
Over inflation was my initial worry not having a gauge but they were certainly not tight as a drum when I went out. 😅
Let me know how it went with the pressure increase!
Hello where can you find replacement parts ?
Hi Bubba, not sure about that. I would google it
Where or how did you make pole holders?
Hi Paul, I have several video that address most your questions. I haven't tried a lighter lithium battery. Blessings!
How do you mount your transducer? I would really appreciate the help
hi, check my channel, it's on there
If you could only buy one , would it be the pontoon or the fishing tube?
pontoon no doubt
How did you center mount your motor?
I used some plywood and the existing holes to make a custom mount
Why does it take so long to get it ready? Do you have any videos on the process of making it ready?
Kevin, the real key is the inflating. I through up a video a couple months ago and the new inflator is a GAME CHANGER
What's better a colorado xt, or the fish cats???
I only have experience with the Colorado xt. I made my decision based on the rack (needed heavy duty rack for the big battery, etc) and storage options. Maybe that helps?
How long does I take for you to build and inflate it
Way to long!!! 10-15 minutes realistically
A little late to the party, but what is the weight capacity?
400 lbs.
I own a job boat, pontoons and fishing kayaks. Honestly it take about the same to set up a kayak and pontoon. Not much difference in setting up
What size motor do you have?
I have a 30lb. Make sure you get one with a longer shaft. If you get the shorter one (the cheaper one), it will suck air and cavitate. Super annoying.
Why the Colorado ? And not the Roanoke ?
Hey Dino, I don't have any experience with the Roanoke pontoons, but I will tell you I chose the Colorado because of the rack design and the storage solutions. Hope that helps. Blessings
Dude you don't have to set it up every time I've had mine blown up and together for over 5 years use it about every weekend it's way better than a stupid fish scaring kayak I catch a lot of fish on one of these I don't think the fish can see this boat
how do i subscribe
any fears of hitting a nasty branch or rock and it deflating? these things just bleed cool but my dumbass is afraid of nature seeking its revenge against me lol.
hahahaha! Well, the cover is pretty tough but nothing is forever
You don't need a fish finder if you already know where the fish are lol
Dont take that long to set up.
it was significantly easier with the right inflating devise. Thanks for watching!