Hi Everyone,
Just received my new H3 today from Cabelas. Got a good deal. On sale for $349.99 plus an additional $30.00 off, Cabelas Bucks, total $319.99 plus tax, shipping came to $352.00. So I'm happy with that. However, I would like to know, how you know when it is totally inflated? Did not receive any instructions with it and Cabelas suggested contacting manuf. which I did. But in the mean time I thought I would run it by you guys are well. Thanks.
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[cool][#0000ff]You don't need a pressure guage. It is mostly something you learn by doing. And, how much you air it up should depend upon the air temp, the water temp and how much you expect the temperatures to rise during the day.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are two air chambers. Fill each one until it feels firm...not quite hard. A good guage is at the very tip of the bow, near the valve. Once that gets firm, the air chamber is plenty full and stable enough to float you without sagging.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you have had your tube aired up inside a vehicle, and plan to put it on cold water early in the morning. do so and let it sit for a few minutes before launching. You will likely see a bit of "softening" A good idea to put a couple more pumps of air in it to firm it up.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On the other hand, if you air it to the max and then launch on a quickly warming day, you should check the firmness of the air chamber about mid morning and then later as the sun's rays become more intense. If the cover is rock hard, bleed a bit of air from the valve. A little can mean a lot.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You should also not transport your tube fully inflated...especially on a hot day...either outside or inside. Once out of the water there is no more cooling effect and the air expands a lot faster. Drop the pressure to about 60 percent. Only takes a minute to top it off when you need it, but if it explodes inside your vehicle you will think the world has come to an end.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The good thing about the urethane bladders in the H3 is that they are a lot more durable and forgiving than vinyl (PVC). A lot less chance of seams splitting out from overinflation, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some folks like to carry a small pump out with them, for those days when they launch in the warm afternoon, but fish into a cooler evening. It is surprising how the air temp inside your tube will drop when there is no more radiant sunshine. You will think you have a leak in your tube. But, a quick trip to shore and a couple of pumps on each side and you will ride high the rest of the evening.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks TubeDude, I appreciate your help. I'll be out this weekend and let you all know how it went.
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TD pretty much summed it up. On mine I like to top it off and set it in the water while I finish unloading and rigging anything that needs it. I inflate mine until when I press on it in the back a get a little deflection but not much. It is hard to describe in words.
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I do the same as I do with all my floats. I squeeze the tips. They do not have to be rock hard, and the bigger the tube, the less crucial it is if it is a little under inflated.
The PVC is real important that you acclimate, by putting it in cold water on hot day, you will find with Urethane it is not that important. Like I said fill it full, but not rock hard. I also always say, bounce a quarter off....if you get a nickel and two dimes, you are good to go...[laugh]
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Thanks everybody for your help, can't wait to get out Saturday. I'll let you all know how it went. Oh by the way, I emailed North Fork about some help with this as well and they have as yet to reply. Is that typical of them. I had heard that they are a bit slow with their help and service.
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Probably, but it has allot to do with the time of year.
Break a fly rod right now and try to return it to the manufacturer.....you will be looking a 6 weeks or more. Break it in the winter and two weeks.
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tca1954, did your H3 come with a stripping apron? What are you doing for one or are you even getting one?
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No I didn't order a stripping apron. I'm going to see how it goes without one first and if I need one I may order one.
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Please be sure to let me/us know how you like the float. I am curious if it is as much of a cadillac in the water as they say it is. Enjoy the ride. -K
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Hi everyone, well my first outing with the H3 was good. I have never used a tube before and getting started was a little akward. But it only took about 10-15 minutes to get a feel for it. I found that it takes a very gentle kicking stroke to get it going and it tracks very well. It floats great, the seat is good but I do need to make some adjustments for me because I sort of slide down a bit after a while, but I will set it up differently next time out. I didn't catch anything on this outing, was just getting used to it all. But I am very happy with it overall, except for one thing. After I got off the water I noticed that the fabric cover was seperating from one of the valves. This surprized me and pee'd me off as well. I got a hold of Cableas and they will exchange it for me but they are discontinuing it from their catalog, don't know why, and they said that they could not guarantee that will have another one for me. So I have to get it back fast. They told me that they have not encountered this problem from anyone else. So I don't know what to think. I hope the new one doesn't have this going on. On another thread I reached out to other H3 owners to see if anyone experienced this, and if it's serious. But it kind of takes the steam out of my enthusiasm for this tube.
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tca, if you are having "quality" problems on your first trip that should be a strong hint that the boat isn't made well and also probably explains the deep discount you got at Cabela's. Read the other posts on the H3 on the other thread, I believe it would be in your best interest in the long run to get a refund from Cabela's and purchase an Outcast Super Fat Cat.
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