11-26-2005, 02:10 AM
After comparisons on the Internet I devoted the day to some field research on this issue and just returned home. I first wanted to go and actually sit in a Super Fat Cat, handle it, and check it out up close and personal since I hadn't ever done that before. I was a bit surprised at how similar the FC4 models are to the SFC. I also realized that I think I prefer the foam seat arrangement of my FC4 over the inflatable seat of the SFC. Of course I was sitting in the thing in a fly shop floor and not on the water, so my observation may be subject to error. The thing I noticed was the tendency of the pontoons on either side to be pulled toward my legs when I sat down on the air seat. The rigid foam of the FC4 doesn't seem to do this as readily. Perhaps more air in the cushion would have resolved this. I don't know. These things said, the SFC is a superior boat. I can see why it is so popular and is considered to be the "the Cadillac of Float Tubes." I'm just not sure that with the FC4's as available as they are, it is worth the nearly $235 difference in price that I tallied today in the outlets I checked.
I noted in my travels that Caddis now has a pony in the race. I saw a Caddis v-boat hanging on the wall at Sportsman's that was shaped like the Outcast models, right next to the FC4's and the WW Grigg knockoff of the same. I didn't check either of them out.
My next stop took me to an outlet that sells the ODC 420. I did the sit in the floor test and found it to be about the same as my FC4 as far as seating comfort. The back is higher than the FC4 and the SFC but a person would probably have to spend a day in it to reach a verdict on the comfort. Probably due to my size, I have never been uncomfortable in my FC4 with foam seats so I can imagine it would be about the same. The ODC 420 boat is slightly bigger than the FC4. It is about 5-6 inches longer. I think the width was about the same. (There is only 1 inch of width difference between the SFC and the FC4.) The extra length on the front of the tubes of the ODC 420 would give more room to install things than is present on the FC4. While I didn't disassemble the floor model to check more carefully, I think the ODC 420 is not as well made as the Outcast boats, but it seems to be adequate for everything I might call on it to do. The price is certainly right at $149. Oh, and I think the stripping apron is even worse than the Outcast boats, being attached at the front with velcro. I left without bringing one home because I still have another couple of models to check out. I may return next week to sign the adoption papers.
One of the things that struck me was the number of pontoon boats on sale today - the day after Thanksgiving. I was very tempted to spring for one since my aged Fish Cat 9 toon cannot be trusted to hold air anymore since it is about 13 years old. The quality wasn't as great either in the days when that old boat was born. I don't want a toon right now though as I'm not sure that I wouldn't rather use my regular boat on larger bodies of water.
I appreciate all the input. If anyone has anything else to contribute, please do so. Thanks.
zonker
[signature]
I noted in my travels that Caddis now has a pony in the race. I saw a Caddis v-boat hanging on the wall at Sportsman's that was shaped like the Outcast models, right next to the FC4's and the WW Grigg knockoff of the same. I didn't check either of them out.
My next stop took me to an outlet that sells the ODC 420. I did the sit in the floor test and found it to be about the same as my FC4 as far as seating comfort. The back is higher than the FC4 and the SFC but a person would probably have to spend a day in it to reach a verdict on the comfort. Probably due to my size, I have never been uncomfortable in my FC4 with foam seats so I can imagine it would be about the same. The ODC 420 boat is slightly bigger than the FC4. It is about 5-6 inches longer. I think the width was about the same. (There is only 1 inch of width difference between the SFC and the FC4.) The extra length on the front of the tubes of the ODC 420 would give more room to install things than is present on the FC4. While I didn't disassemble the floor model to check more carefully, I think the ODC 420 is not as well made as the Outcast boats, but it seems to be adequate for everything I might call on it to do. The price is certainly right at $149. Oh, and I think the stripping apron is even worse than the Outcast boats, being attached at the front with velcro. I left without bringing one home because I still have another couple of models to check out. I may return next week to sign the adoption papers.
One of the things that struck me was the number of pontoon boats on sale today - the day after Thanksgiving. I was very tempted to spring for one since my aged Fish Cat 9 toon cannot be trusted to hold air anymore since it is about 13 years old. The quality wasn't as great either in the days when that old boat was born. I don't want a toon right now though as I'm not sure that I wouldn't rather use my regular boat on larger bodies of water.
I appreciate all the input. If anyone has anything else to contribute, please do so. Thanks.
zonker
[signature]