Fishing Forum

Okay, I presented the max crush pack on an FC4dx, here's my best so far on my new ODC 816.

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Again, I have no truck, and if I want to use my trunk, I need to squish as much as I can!

Not bad, but that damn seat is so friggin' space inefficient! I may swap that out for a web-sling folder...

After:




You can see the tube next to the pile for comparison.

_SHig
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It looks like you have it down pretty good.

You are right about the seat though. It is hard to compact that aspect of the toon.

I have the folding soft seat on mine. They are pretty comfortable especially if you are in the need for speed and decide to kick while rowing.[cool]
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Does kicking while rowing actually help? Seems like the drag on your legs would overcome any additional thrust generated...

_SHig
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I have found it to be very usefull. It takes some sincronization to effectivly kick while rowing.

I fish the Salt quite a bit. I found that the double propulsion technique overcomes the amount of drag which will then induce thrust.

An incorrect tide table will certainly force you to use this type of propulsion technique.

I do use diving fins which are longer than the Kickers that come with most crafts. Since the Toon seats you higher off the water than most of the comparable FC, SFC, ODC's and comparable models of Float Tubes, the style of your kick is not with the same angular parameters as the the lower seated crafts.

Henceforth, the angle of the fins is actually in your favor due to the lack of penetration of the lower appendages.

You will still work the lower leg muscles as well as the anterior quadraceps will minimizing the impact on the abdominal section.[cool]
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We differ there. I don't find kicking and rowing beneficial.
I can propel much faster putting my feet on the bar and putting all motion and strength into the rowing.
Not saying I don't do both, but not to get somewhere in a hurry.
On very windy/choppy days it can help so you don't loose grown when the oars are lifted, But I guess with my boats being low profile, it is down to flippers, OR oars, OR motor...Now rowing with the motor on is a different story,
You also mentioned you have the cloth seat, that could make a difference, but, most time, if I row without my feet on the bar, I can't get full power.
Gotta put your back into it[laugh]
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[cool][#0000ff]Agreed. That's what the footrests are for...to give you maximum pull on the oars. I am a pretty fair rower and if I have everything balanced...oar length, foot rest distance from seat, etc....I can throw a roostertail. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have never tried both rowing and kicking but I am guessing that much of the extra thrust you gain from kicking would be lost in the loss of leverage by not having your feet firmly planted while rowing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, again, since I haven't actually tried it, I may be completely wrong. It is a matter of personal preference and personal experience.[/#0000ff]
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I can fully respect your opinion. I only speak from my own experience.

Each of us have our own experiences and share them openly.[cool]

I don't have as much experience in the wind with my toon but I did find it a little help to have both fins and oars to my advantage on a couple of occasions.

In the salt, I don't have to time the tides as much since I have a double source of power now.

I can't wait till I get a motor on like your rig. That would givre me the chance to have a full and complete comparison.[]
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But your arm is probably as big as my leg![blush]
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That could be the difference. [cool]

I have plenty of upper body strength in my old age. I could see where the extra drag could play in if I was in the Navigator ll or something. That would be equal to having any of the FC4, SFC or anything in that ball park for leg kicking comparison.

With all the extra curicular liquids that I drink, my arms are big, my legs are big and the stomach just goes along for the ride.[]

To keep this whole thread on track though, I sure wished I had the extra time and patience to transport my tube in that nice convenient, well placed packaging such as our friend has posted.[cool]
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You said it! But wait....I do:


And for the record, the Navigator moves very well with flippers and the oars...motor I did have to go with the longer shaft.
With out the motor and battery on, they fly!
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I guess my next step would be to retrofit my frame on the toon and get a hard deck. My soft mesh barely holds the extras that I bring along.

I would seriously consider the motor thing when I hook up on my next 30lb California Yellowtail. I pack them efficiently in little Nora Sushi wrappers.

Yummy![cool]
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Most pontoons do pack up relatively small. Look at the box they come in.

I do have a cloth seat for my pontoon, but I added the 5'X4' deck so it breaks down to....5' X 4' LOL. I put the cloth seat on so I can stand on the deck for sight fishing.

Don't have a good picture of it but it is the same one that is on the North Fork Outdoors OUTLAW.
I switch back and forth between that and the Plastic. Not as steady these days so I have to rig up a lean bar.
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