Fishing Forum

[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Just curious about what people’s favorite tube/pontoon is and what is the best and worst feature. I know everyone has different preferences and needs. So in an effort to assist in making informed decisions when looking to buy that new tube/pontoon or upgrade we will all be well informed.[/size][/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"][size 3]Mine is my Caddis Navigator IV (also my only ride for now) I like the pontoon style as it presents less drag and it is really well built. What I did not like is how low it sits, so I started using high density foam about 12” thick tied to the seat with a bicycle tube (hard on the hind end but achieved the height I was looking for). One other thing I did not like was the equipment pockets were on the small side. I've sold it now and started my search for a pontoon.[/size][/font]

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ODC 420......LIKE FISHING IN A BIG ARM CHAIR [cool] I SIT HIGH ON THE WATER SO MANEUVERING AROUND AND CASTING IS EASY. ALSO IT'S MADE VERY WELL WITH A HEAVY DUTY LINER AT THE BOTTOM AND HEAVY STITCHING. AND BECAUSE IT'S RATED FOR 300 LBS IT HOLDS MYSELF (250 LBS), ROD RACK, AND ALL MY GEAR WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE 3 STORAGE COMPARTMENTS ON EACH PONTOON ARE SMALLISH BUT I CUT OUT THE PARTITIONS BETWEEN EACH COMPARTMENT AND MADE ONE BIG ONE WHICH HOLDS 3 MED SIZED TRAYS. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.

AT


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You are not kidding about sitting high out of the water. I was sitting so low with the stock tube and I could not see into the water very well even with polarized lens. Also were Flipping and pitching distance were sacrificed.


I really like what I see with the Creek Company product, they have great prices, warranty (lifetime for original owner), and I’ve not heard a complaint about them yet.
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Super Fat Cat and ODC 420. Beefy. Durable. Sit high in the water. Nice space in back. Large pockets. 300 pound capacity.

I had a Caddis tube for awhile. It worked well except for the low in the water issue. I used a foam boat cushion to raise me up a bit.











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zonker
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[cool][#0000ff]Over the past 5 decades I have been tubing, I have made some of my own systems and gone afloat in many commercial models. For many years the "donut" was all that was available. I fished out of a lot of Caddis tubes during those years. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have also tried their U-tubes and find them to be an excellent craft for the money. [/#0000ff][#0000ff]But, as you observe, they still ride lower in the water than many of the newer craft that use higher seats. Otherwise, they are a good beginners tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I went through a Trout Unlimited Kennebec in about a year, before buying my first (and present) Super Fat Cat. Although I have had more than a few design issues with it (seats, apron, etc.) I still find it to be the best craft for me. I'm a big guy and I carry lots of gear afloat. The SFC gets 'er done in fine fashion.[/#0000ff]

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Dave,
Have you had any problems with the inflatable seats in your Super Fat Cat?
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Dave,
Have you had any problems with the inflatable seats in your Super Fat Cat? [/reply]

Don,

No leaks yet. This is my first season with the SFC. Tubedude indicates that his problems with leaks didnt' start at first. So far it is airtight and comfortable. I blow it up (seat only) by mouth, not pump. I'm also very careful with it, taking pains to keep it away from sharp objects. I figure that if the seat bladder does leak I'll patch it. If that doesn't work I'll probably replace it. As somebody said of himself in another post, I'm easy on tubes.

We'll see.

z~


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Check out the creek company odc sport
[url "http://www.creekcompany.com/"]http://www.creekcompany.com/[/url]
Under $200 with free shipping and comes with a pump. Oh, and your whole order is free shipping, so get your accessories with it to save money.
I'm very pleased with mine. It's small, light, maneuverable, and fast. I imagine, though, since it's 8', it would still do well on moving water. I've got no interest in taking it over rapids, but picture that it would do well.
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Mine, is the ECHO by Venture Outdoors. It won't leak. Got those perma bladders (self sealing). Has a small metal frame with Plastic Padded seat like the big pontoons. 4' long with 12" diameter toons. Love It!

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TD,

That's a great shot of the master tuber.

z~
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I was going to go with the Creek Compay ODC Super Sport but I was looking on Craigs list and found someone selling a Versa-Vessel similar to the LS special but a little longer plus it came w/ camo covers. It was in perfect condition in fact I sprayed it down with soapy water to check for leaks. The price was sub $300 so there was now way I could pass it up, figuring if nothing else I could sell it for a profit.


I'll post some pictures tonight, can't wait for my maiden voyage.
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Joni

I once saw video of a guy out in a tube stabbing his pontoon with a filet knife. Is that the kind of bladders in your Echo?

I have a pinhole leak so small I can't find it. The only way I know about it is that the other pontoon stays rock hard while this one softens a bit. Just enough to annoy me. (Especially after resewing the seam on the other side of My Fat Cat)

I'm thinking one of those perch or bluegill I was catching stuck a spine into my pontoon. I believe TubeDude has had that happen before to some of his tubes.

Hey Tube!

How do you find those pinhole leaks. I wrestled it into my bathtub and did the soapy water thing as well. Nothing showed up
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]I don't know about stabbing it with a knife, but it has a powder inside of like fine plastic that will seal pin holes.[/size][/black][/font]
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Yup. I saw that video too. It was a promo for the self sealing tubes in the Echo vessels. Stuck a knife right in it.

z~
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What about using [url "http://www.slime.com/"]Slime[/url] works great for tires
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My new ride



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[cool][#0000ff]Versa Vessel is a great craft. You done good.[/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]If you suspect a "bouncing bluegill" pinhole, focus on the upper front surface of the air chamber. Air it up to the max and really take your time, applying the soapy liquid by hand, spreading it out slowly and watching for not only bubbles but little spots that suddenly dry out fast. If the leak is fast enough it will be "beyond" making bubbles. Sometimes you can even feel or hear the little jet of escaping air.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]It might not be leak in the air chamber. If you have used ultra soapy solution over the whole air chamber, and no bubbles, then there is only one other place to check...the valve. It is not unusual to have a valve develop slow leaks...or fast leaks. Air it up again and try the bubble test on and around the valve.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good luck and have plenty of "medication" handy to help keep your blood pressure in check. Finding leaks can be frustrating.[/#0000ff]
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NICE RIDE! But, with my luck, I would trip over that front bar and land flat on my face[]
That will be nice if you ever river fish. You can just stand up to sight fish and not worry about the boat swimming away. Plus it looks like you got enough room for not only the kitchen sink, but the refridgerator also[cool]

P.S. where is the boat in the second picture....I can't see it LOLOL[laugh]
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Nice thing about the front bar is that it swings up by pulling out a pin. I need to keep that in mind as I’ve already tripped over it once[pirate] I'm probably going to replace the seat and may add a platform.

One nice thing is that is that the guy said he could not believe how stable it was, told me he fired a shotgun off of it and had no problem. I asked if it spun him in circles and he said it hardly moved.
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