Things You Need To Know Before Choosing A Pond Boat

Things You Need To Know Before Choosing A Pond Boat

The need for a pond boat is an important consideration for anybody who keeps koi. Whether you're keeping fish in the garden, the backyard, or want to take your hobby of keeping koi to another level by setting up a pond of your own, then at some point you'll probably need a boat. There are many factors that influence why you might need a boat, and it's important to be aware of them before you make any decisions.

There are different types of pond boats that can be used for different purposes, such as fish transport boats; fish transfer boats; fish retaining nets; fish nets; over-wintering troughs; and feeding boats. The choice of boat will depend on the size of your koi and other factors such as convenience, budget and design.

Before we detail the different types of boats that can be used for various purposes it's important to understand three things: wind; tides; and water depth. If you don't take these factors into account before making a purchase then there may be occasions when you'll need to compromise.

Wind

Strong winds can cause problems for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it's important to be aware that if your koi are being transported by car and the wind is strong enough then they may escape from their transport boxes or nets. This can be prevented by securing them more securely, but this is an inconvenience that you should avoid wherever possible.

Secondly, strong winds can make koi feeding boats less easy to control; and they can make water transfers more difficult. This is because the boat will be pushed away from you (and the fish) making it harder to scoop up or push fish into your net.

Sometimes windy conditions are unavoidable, but there are some measures you can take to make caring for your koi more manageable.

Tides

Strong tides can cause problems when using a feeding boat because the water level in the pond will rise and fall with each tide. This is especially true of ponds which are near to sea level (and therefore where the effect of tides is greater). When the water level rises, the boat will sink. When it falls, the boat will float higher than you would like.

This can be prevented by using weights to anchor your feeding boat at a specific depth in the pond; or alternatively you could invest in an adjustable feeding boat that is strong enough to withstand tidal movements.

Water Depth

The deeper your pond, the deeper your boat will need to be.

For instance, if you have a koi pond that is 4 feet deep (1.2 metres) then any fish transport boat or netting system designed for only 2 feet (60cm) of water will be inadequate; and not suitable for transporting or catching your koi. You'll need to use a boat that is designed for 4 feet (120cm) of water.

This is important because many suppliers sell products with specifications based on the average depth of your garden pond, which means you'll need to be aware of it before purchasing.

There are other factors that influence why somebody might need a pond boat; and these include taking into account the size of your koi, the time you have available to care for them, and any potential maintenance issues which may arise.

For example, if you only have a small garden pond, but intend on keeping some large koi then it's important to check that your boat can handle larger fish.

Likewise, many smaller boats are only capable of transporting a certain number of fish at one time, or have a weight limit. This is important information for most people, but especially so if you intend on keeping particularly large koi.

When you take all these criteria into account it's important to choose a boat that can accommodate your needs and preferences with ease. Bear the following things in mind:

- Safety is always a priority. If you've got small children, or pets that are likely to be around your pond then they should not be allowed near the boat without supervision; and it's important to make sure your boat is secure (anchored) when in use.

- Convenience is another key consideration because if you have a busy lifestyle or work long hours then it's important to choose a pond boat that is easy to use, and doesn't require much maintenance.

- It's also wise to consider the cost of owning such as boat; and what you can afford. Although prices do vary (and bargains are available) it's important to know your budget before you start shopping around.

Although one boat may seem like a bargain, it can pay to shop around and look for an option that is not only suitable in terms of its specifications, but also affordable when you take everything else into account.

See more: https://fishinghacking.com/how-to-choose-pond-boats/