02-01-2005, 09:33 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I have both the regular and super Fat Cats. The SFC is slightly larger flotation capacity, and has the inflatable seat. Hard to tell the difference just looking at them. I have paddled both around, although the regular FC is TubeBabe's. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I originally thought I had been had by paying more for the inflatable seat. Now I like it, because it allows for "adjustment" in your "ride". Usually you want it very firm, but sometimes it feels better when you let a bit of air out of the bottom. It can feel like a rock bench after a few hours.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of the big differences in the two types of seats...foam vs inflatable...is compactness when you stuff them back in your vehicle. If you got a truck or big SUV, and only one craft, no problem. If you have two, and a smaller cargo compartment, you can squeeze the craft with the inflatable seat into a smaller space.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The foam is a firm closed cell foam. It is rigid, but not rock hard. It does not get any harder over time. But, as you point out, it does not suffer from punctures either. I have had a couple of pinhole leaks in the seat of my inflated model because I laid fish baskets with spiny fish on them. Easy to remove the seat, find the hole and repair it though. Much easier than taking out the main air chamber and patching it. However, with the PVC protective coating over much of the air chamber, it reduces the potential for incidental punctures. Of course, if you are determined to poke a hole in it, a big hook or a knife point will get the job done. Most leaks are the result of fish spines or setting your tube down on stickers of some kind.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are straps for seat adjustment. You have to work with them over a couple of trips to get them where they provide good support, but do not tip too far backwards. Improper seat adjustment will cause backaches. Actually, the seat design is one of the negatives I have found with the Fat Cats. I have always used tubes and mini-pontoons (Kennebec) with seats that came up most the length of my back...and I am a big guy. The seats on the FCs only come up about half way, so they do not provide the full back support for someone who likes to really lean back. Still, when properly adjusted, they work fine.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Portability? I attach a wide strap to the underside of my SFC and pull it up onto my forehead, like a "tump line". Even with a bunch of extra weight from sonar, battery, rod rack, tackle boxes etc., I can trudge my craft a long ways comfortably. However, if you are looking for something to pack a few miles back into a remote mountain lake, look at something lighter than the Outcast Cats. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have a GMC Jimmy. It is smaller than Tahoes and Suburbans, but it will hold two Fat Cats fully inflated, plus coolers, rods and other gear, when the back seat is folded down. If I am going to be driving a long ways, and packing other stuff for a long trip, I deflate the FCs. They either fold up into a manageable size, or else I bungee them down on my rooftop carrier. No problem.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you go back far enough, I have posted a lot of pics that illustrate what I am talking about. If you need more, let me know. I either have pics in my archives or I can shoot something quickly with my digital.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I originally thought I had been had by paying more for the inflatable seat. Now I like it, because it allows for "adjustment" in your "ride". Usually you want it very firm, but sometimes it feels better when you let a bit of air out of the bottom. It can feel like a rock bench after a few hours.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the big differences in the two types of seats...foam vs inflatable...is compactness when you stuff them back in your vehicle. If you got a truck or big SUV, and only one craft, no problem. If you have two, and a smaller cargo compartment, you can squeeze the craft with the inflatable seat into a smaller space.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The foam is a firm closed cell foam. It is rigid, but not rock hard. It does not get any harder over time. But, as you point out, it does not suffer from punctures either. I have had a couple of pinhole leaks in the seat of my inflated model because I laid fish baskets with spiny fish on them. Easy to remove the seat, find the hole and repair it though. Much easier than taking out the main air chamber and patching it. However, with the PVC protective coating over much of the air chamber, it reduces the potential for incidental punctures. Of course, if you are determined to poke a hole in it, a big hook or a knife point will get the job done. Most leaks are the result of fish spines or setting your tube down on stickers of some kind.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are straps for seat adjustment. You have to work with them over a couple of trips to get them where they provide good support, but do not tip too far backwards. Improper seat adjustment will cause backaches. Actually, the seat design is one of the negatives I have found with the Fat Cats. I have always used tubes and mini-pontoons (Kennebec) with seats that came up most the length of my back...and I am a big guy. The seats on the FCs only come up about half way, so they do not provide the full back support for someone who likes to really lean back. Still, when properly adjusted, they work fine.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Portability? I attach a wide strap to the underside of my SFC and pull it up onto my forehead, like a "tump line". Even with a bunch of extra weight from sonar, battery, rod rack, tackle boxes etc., I can trudge my craft a long ways comfortably. However, if you are looking for something to pack a few miles back into a remote mountain lake, look at something lighter than the Outcast Cats. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have a GMC Jimmy. It is smaller than Tahoes and Suburbans, but it will hold two Fat Cats fully inflated, plus coolers, rods and other gear, when the back seat is folded down. If I am going to be driving a long ways, and packing other stuff for a long trip, I deflate the FCs. They either fold up into a manageable size, or else I bungee them down on my rooftop carrier. No problem.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you go back far enough, I have posted a lot of pics that illustrate what I am talking about. If you need more, let me know. I either have pics in my archives or I can shoot something quickly with my digital.[/#0000ff]
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