Joe Cunningham here from Cunningham Boats ... Thought I would respond to some of your thoughts on the Chironomid. Yes, indeed there are not many of them around yet, this is our first season. The Chironomid was introduced in January. The boat was was designed over a 2 year period and went through 2 prototypes - it was meant to be fast, stable, easy to stand and cast in, very light, able to be double anchored more effectively than most other types of boats, and have everything included with no add-on neccessary. bcube is right, 2/3 of the price is reflected in the Kevlar hull which is built from our mold by Hellman's. Also, the rest of the boat is either built in Pincher Creek, AB or some components are made by a small company in Minnesota - Spring Creek Outfitters - except the swivel seat and mount which are made in China. I'd like to point out that they are not so expensive when you calculate some of the things that you DON'T have to add.
The boat actually excels in the wind as the pontoons are like a keel. The boat can travel up to 10 km/hr.
Bron and monger, when fishing you actually swivel around and face the clear end with nothing in your way to catch line. When I was developing the first prototype I was actually worried that when playing a fish, not always having control of from which direction it would come at the boat, that the outrigging could get in the way. I found that to be not a problem at all as the pontoons are only an inch or two below water and my rod extends well past them (and the oars) anyway. Anchor lines to the lake bottom are another matter altogether just as is the case in all boats The anchoring system is unique as the boat comes equipped with 2 locking anchor reels (line included).
The seat position is actually very high, so although I like standing up to cast, it's pretty damn good from the seat as well ... it's almost as high as a kitchen chair so for old guys like me ... I'm 62 ... it is extremely comfortable to be in all day and many of my friends swear it is the most comfortable boat to fish from they have ever been in. If you try standing up and sitting down repeatedly from a kitchen chair you'll realize that you don't need additional support to make that move on a sturdy surface .... that's what it's like.
scel, you are right that a pontoon boat has better "on the spot" maneuverability due to the ability to have flippers on your feet in the water. For me personally, I prefer the advantages I get from the boat's other abilities that are not available to a pontoon boat, but I realize the Chironomid is not for everybody.
tallieho1 you are also right...a canoe is a tippy sob ... I would contend that this is no longer a conoe but it retains, like a beautiful schooner, most of the canoes wonderful hydrdynamic properties. Yeah, on one level it's got "training wheels", but that's not the way I would think of a more traditional Trimaran, so I would contend that the other stuff that makes a regular canoe a horrible stillwater fly fishing boat doesn't really apply here anymore - like instability and being swung around in the wind.
I realize that this is a bit like eavesdropping on you guys, but honestly, I appreciate being able to hear honest first impressions and reactions ... so thanks. If you're close enough, and anyboby would like to try one out! ... fishing for real ... no strings attached ... give me a call, text, or email joe@cunninghamboats.ca 403-627-9864
