New Fat Cat Mods

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I got to fish from the new Fat Cat last Thursday, and have some observations. I also finished the modifications and took some more pictures.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]COMPARISON: Fat Cat vs Super Fat Cat[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]About the only difference is that the SFC has an inflatable seat vs the foam seats in the Fat Cat. But, there is a noticeable difference in the ride between the two seats. A fully inflated seat completely fills the seat pocket and creates more rigidity between the two sides of the tube. Foam seats are good and firm, but still have a slight amount of unfilled space in the pocket and allow the two sides to pull in a bit more when the fisherman sits down and puts weight on the seat. Still plenty of room on the seat, but it does tend to pull in the rod rack and anything else that may have been installed vertically before seating. Rod rack must be installed slanting outward a bit to compensate for the greater "pull-in" with a foam seat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]NEW MODEL APRONS: [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The "adjustable stripping aprons" may be okay for some fly fishing only anglers but they are wimpy and useless for warmwater anglers who want a good solid "work bench" and do not need to hold stripped line. And, when Outcast "evolved" to their "new and improved" apron, with the vertical support rods that fit in slots, they eliminated a pair of D rings that I had previously used to attach the front clips on my rigid aprons. Since I did not want to redesign or give up my "sushi board" apron, I simply rigged my PVC stabilizer bars on the front of both sides to install a split ring for attaching the apron. See pics.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]SEATS:[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The backrest part of the seats on Fat Cats have always been lower than I like. I am tall, and need good back support. Otherwise a short trip on the water and my back pains me for days. The foam backrest on the newest Fat Cat seems slightly higher, but I did not try it before adding my hard seat with a higher backrest. However, I gave up my cut-down lawnchair to try out the molded plastic seat from a school "stack chair" (see pics). It fits perfectly, is a good Fat Cat green and was very comfortable on its maiden voyage. I secure it to the backrest on the tube with a single bungee stretched around the back of the seat and hooked into two small holes I drilled into the plastic seat. Simple but effective.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]SONAR MOUNT: I essentially set up my sonar the same way I have been using it on a couple of previous float tube models. I incorporate a PVC riser for the display mount, and an unglued connection of PVC to PVC between the transducer shaft and a horizontal extension from the exterior mounting frame on the front of the left pocket. This allows upward and downward rotation, during launching and beaching. I run the wiring down the length of the main pocket and into the small rear pocket of the Fat Cat. That is where I put the battery. I use a small 4.4 Ah battery instead of the larger 7 amp that I used to use. Even with the higher wattage Humminbird 565 a six hour trip on the water only runs the battery down less than .5 volts from full charge. One new modification I made was in using a couple of long screws on the front wood block to wrap the extra cable around, and then zip tie it in place to keep it out of the way inside the pockets. (see pics)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]ROD RACK & UTILITY RACK:[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I previously posted pics of the components and installation. I can report that they hold everything rock solid and are really quick and easy to install and remove when setting up or taking down your tube for transportation.[/#0000ff]
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[idahoron]

My tube has the foam seat as well. I had to make several adjustments to the rod holders to get them to ride right. My fish finder rides on the side so I had to make several changes to get it to ride right.
Those tubes do pinch in when you sit down. Ron
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]The newer models seem to have more "squeeze" than the older models. I have fished in TubeBabe's (older) Fat Cat and did not seem to notice much of a pull inward. But, after fishing from the inflated seat model of the SFC the week before, and then the new Fat Cat this last week, I definitely notice a difference. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I think I am going to look for a sheet of rigid plexiglas to slip under the bottom of the foam pads to reduce the downward flex. Shouldn't take too much to make a noticeable difference.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

All these sharp edges...everywhere! Glad I swapped you that tape!

Ya know, those molded plastic/padded seats on pontoons are really comfortable LOL
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[albinotrout]

Looking good. I showed mamatrout your seat and she is interested and her racks are pretty much finished. I like what you have done. In the FC4 I notice the foam seats do similar. I don't know if she noticed because she is a lot lighter than I.
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[TubeDude]

[quote flygoddess]All these sharp edges...everywhere! Glad I swapped you that tape!

Ya know, those molded plastic/padded seats on pontoons are really comfortable LOL[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]Sharp edges? Not really. I round everything off well with the Dremel before installing. I have not had a leak in a bladder for years...and that was because of a stupid little fish that bounced off the top of an air chamber.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Fortunately...and unlike other members on this forum...I do not have a son who likes to use sharp blades while working on my craft.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I agree that the seats commonly found on pontoons are more comfy than the "get by" stuff on tubes. That's why I keep working on it. Unfortunately, you can't install a swivel seat on a tube very easily, and you don't really need it. Everything is within easy reach and you don't have to reach a long way or swivel around to get it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Life is full of trade-offs.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

[quote albinotrout]Looking good. I showed mamatrout your seat and she is interested and her racks are pretty much finished. I like what you have done. In the FC4 I notice the foam seats do similar. I don't know if she noticed because she is a lot lighter than I.[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]If you are interested, I have several "leftover" seats in my storage shed that I would be happy to let you try...for fit and comfort. Better than going through all of the same routine I have done.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Weight is a definite factor in the "sagification" of the foam seats. Even though the tubes might be rated at 300 pounds, people with ample girth are gonna make those foam seats sag more than those who are more petite. That ain't me.[/#0000ff]
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[albinotrout]

Sure, It will help with the decision making will send PM.
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[flygoddess]

I know my Hubby hated the foam seat on the SFC but I liked it fine.
As far as swivel seat...WHAT?![crazy] I could never understand them on a pontoon. They are plenty easy to turn. Just the lazy ones that need to twist[laugh][laugh][laugh]
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[flygoddess]

I am surprised however, no one has made a small frame and used one of the molded plastic seats on s Fat Cat.
I can see all sorts of ways to do this, but you guys are the ones with the imagination.
Leave the guts out of the seat and attach a small frame between to keep the sides out. In fact you could make it to get you slightly higher even.

I can see, just can't make it.[cool]
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[albinotrout]

Picture it this way. 1/2" PVC attached to the seat. Then set it on the FC and strap on. Now you are set.[sly]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Your logic is valid. There SHOULD be a way to turn the SFC into a small pointy pontoon...with a frame. But, by the time you get through messin' with it and investing the time and money for the modifications you might as well buy your Echo.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Having worked CLOSELY with the Fat Cat line over the past 6 years, the thought has crossed my mind a number of times about adding a frame and a higher seat. But, you can't get rid of the inflated or foam seats. They are a vital part of holding the two pointy ends apart. I doubt that anything short of a heavy pontoon frame with straps would do the job. Again...why bother? Get a toon.[/#0000ff]
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[peter805]

[][][]As allways, great job TD ![][][]

Peter
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[flygoddess]

The reason I bring this up is ....well, I have a LARGER version of what I am thinking. Of course, minus the rear cargo deck, the foot pegs and standing platform.
And the frame is aluminum, so very light. I am betting it is even lighter than the PVC.
My Echo is steel so a little heavy, but aluminum....

here is the bottom if the small frame with bottom of the seat. Small!
Sit right on top of deflated or foamless seat.


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[pontoonman]

For those that decide to buy an Echo pontoon, check out Wall mart online clearance $87.

Pon
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. - Henry David Thoreau


[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]Your logic is valid. There SHOULD be a way to turn the SFC into a small pointy pontoon...with a frame. But, by the time you get through messin' with it and investing the time and money for the modifications you might as well buy your Echo.[/#0000ff]
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[albinotrout]

Looking at it you might not even need the frame. Just set it on the seat and then bungee it to the backrest. Looks very similar to the Leigh 95 striker that I have.
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[TubeDude]

[quote albinotrout]Looking at it you might not even need the frame. Just set it on the seat and then bungee it to the backrest. Looks very similar to the Leigh 95 striker that I have.[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]Even more than providing additional height, and a bucket seat, is the consideration of what something like that will do to the center of gravity.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The old round tubes and the first U-tubes had seats that kept the tuber way down below the center of gravity. Almost impossible to flip one or to slide out if you leaned too far forward.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]"Modern" tubes, with inflated or foam seats, put the tuber much higher. Some, like the "Day Tripper" have you sitting way up there. Those things have numerous recorded incidents of tubers flipping or sliding forward out of the seat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The overall balance on Fat Cats is fine. Very stable. To raise the seat even a few inches could very well create a safety issue. The higher you sit the wider your base needs to be...and the longer. Pontoons have the correct ratios. Modifying a compact float tube into a pontoon might be inviting a dunking.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good idea in theory. Maybe not in practice.[/#0000ff]
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[Illinoisgiller]

Thank you again for sharing the tube mods. I need to think about this one for a while. I may consider it this winter if I have time.
I must be one of the few that are entirely comfortable with the Fish Cat#4 and Fat Cat foam seating as it comes from the factory.
Illinoisgiller
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[doggonefishin]

This is how I stabilized the backrest on my Fat Cat.

1. (Pic 1) I fashioned a PVC frame that is approximately the same height as the foam seat, with a foam pad attached to the top beam of the frame.

2. (pic 2) The frame is attached to the seat with a bungee threaded through the back of the seat.

3. (pic 3) There also are two PVC rods that are wedged into each corner of the foam pad seat and provide rigid stability to the frame.

4. (pic4) The final product from the back.

This has worked well for me and I haven't had back problems while fishing for a couple of years. (and I use my tube about once a week during the summer and fall.) I don't know if this will work for you because you are a bit taller than I. Also, it probably wouldn't work in a SFC, because the rods under the bottom cushion might damage the air filled seat.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Looks like a good setup. I have tried several variations of the PVC "enhanced" backrests, and still use one occasionally. But, for overall quick and convenient...and functionality...the inserted plastic seats seem to work best for me.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I now have the foam seats, but mostly had inflated seats for the past few years. The inflated seats are not easily damaged by having PVC running along side them. The seats just mold around the PVC when inflated and add to the stability.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Just like most things in fishing and tubing, seats are a very personal thing and subject to our own physiology and comfort preferences. I found out a long time ago that if I am not seated comfortably my time on the water is going to be reduced. And, if I have a backache for days after a tubing trip, I need to make some more adjustments.[/#0000ff]
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