Fishing Forum

Opinions The fat cat or the odc420 They look to be about the same Thoughts
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FAT CAT LCS
Inflated Size: 45" x 64"
Tube Diameter: 13"
Fabric: 420 PC/500 PVC
Material Weight: 28 oz/sq. yd.
AireCell Material: Urethane
Seam Construction: Sewn
Warranty: 5
Valve Type: 1-Summit
Weight: 12 lbs.
Load Capacity: 300 lbs.

ODC 420

Individual 14 gauge PVC bladders with high volume Boston Valves.
Tough 420 denier nylon upper cover.
30 oz. PVC bottom cover for added durability.
Thick foam seat and adjustable seat back for all day comfort.
Rear storage area.
D-Rings for Optional Pack Straps. (not included)
Overall Weight - 16 pounds.
Weight Capacity - 300 lbs.
Packed Dimensions - 22x19x12 inches.
Price: $249.99


Can't find any dimensions on the ODC, but it is slightly heavier and I am not sure if the Fat Cat is still Urethane, TD will know that.

Other than the valves, it will boil down to width that might make the difference and if the difference is worth $100 to you.
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[cool][#0000ff]The 420 is a decent fishing craft, but is not in the same league as the Fat Cats for quality. Air chambers are vinyl and the valves are inside the pockets and subject to seating problems. If they don't seat properly you will be walking back to shore after a while.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Plenty of floatation for big anglers. Lots of tubers have them and enjoy them.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks alot fokes Im just getting back into this float tube thing after about a 25 yr lay off. I have an old caddis from the early 1980's dont know if iy will float this old man as I have gained a few lbs. but its time I used to float tube 4 or 5 days a week in cal. Thanks again
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[cool][#0000ff]I spent a few years jockeying around in an old Caddis too...several as a matter of fact. But I'll guarantee you that you will really appreciate being able to get in and out of the open front tubes. And you will float a lot higher in the water too.[/#0000ff]
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Ugh! I had old flashbacks of the Caddis...what a trip!. I had the Float Power on the back which meant, I had to be in about a foot of water, SOOO, had to climb IN the donut...ahhhh to be young and able to put my knees to my chest...LOL
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Flygoddess, what size/ weaght flyrod do you use fror large and smallmouth bass??? and panfish ? We donr have alot of trout in the lakes of ohio.
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I use a 6 to 8 wt. I would love to get the Sage Bluegill rod before they are all gone. That is a great all around stick.
I have used a 5 wt. on Bluegill for fun, but 6 is my go to.
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Hi, TD:
I also think the Fat Cats are higher quality. You go out over 50 times per year based on your trip reports, and a 420 probably would wear out before 5 years like that.
But I love the tremendous versatility/convertibility/quick parts interchange/repair of the 420. I have 2 of the heavy and 4 of the lightweight and the average cost was around $100 each retail, probably find for less on Ebay. You can buy 2 of 420s for the price of a Fat Cat if you shop around. I highly recommend the inflatable seat versions for either the FC or 420.

By 420 "seating problems" do you mean the Boston valve caps threading/tightening, or that the valves are not sewn into position? You do have to line up threads and tighten the caps snugly but this is easily learned, compared to something like judging inflation pressure without a guage. The bladders come lined up position when new and stay that way upon inflation/deflation. Bladders not being sewn in allows for easy removal/exchange/repair etc. but then realignment takes some time if you don't mark their positions. Valves in the pockets is a negative for storage space, but a positive from the fabric valve cover protection, and access from the seated position aspects. Just my humble observations FWIW.

Pon





[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]The 420 is a decent fishing craft, but is not in the same league as the Fat Cats for quality. Air chambers are vinyl and the valves are inside the pockets and subject to seating problems. If they don't seat properly you will be walking back to shore after a while.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Plenty of floatation for big anglers. Lots of tubers have them and enjoy them.[/#0000ff][/quote]
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"By 420 "seating problems" do you mean the Boston valve caps threading/tightening, or that the valves are not sewn into position? You do have to line up threads and tighten the caps snugly but this is easily learned, compared to something like judging inflation pressure without a guage. The bladders come lined up position when new and stay that way upon inflation/deflation. Bladders not being sewn in allows for easy removal/exchange/repair etc. but then realignment takes some time if you don't mark their positions. Valves in the pockets is a negative for storage space, but a positive from the fabric valve cover protection, and access from the seated position aspects. Just my humble observations FWIW."

[cool][#0000ff]Yes...seating was referring to the proper alignment of all the components in the valves. A bit tricker than the Halkey Roberts valve on the FC. And I have had to tow in a couple of overenthusiastic anglers who set up too hastily and did not get the valves installed and tightened properly.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, based upon the popularity of the 420s and the number of happy owners I am familiar with I cannot say much bad about them. Just making some obvious comparisons. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And yes I do make in excess of 50 trips a year in my Chubby Kitty. Can't say I never have problems but they are usually of my own creation. But if I load everything properly and follow my checklist for setup and launching I usually manage to get out fishing with fewer than 4 or 5 returns to the vehicle for something I forgot.[/#0000ff]
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And I would think that it was more about CRS than equipment...I think, or did I forget?
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[cool][#0000ff]Yeah. It's really gettin' bad when I remember that I forgot my watch and then look at my wrist to see if I have time to go back to get it.[/#0000ff]
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