05-23-2013, 03:51 AM
[quote kandersonSLC]Just read the history of your UL float tube. Awesome stuff! I try to take a week backpacking trip every summer -- Sawtooths, White Clouds, Wind Rivers, Sierras, and the Uintas this July (come out and join us if you like).
So many high-mountain lakes that I would love to fish with your tube. I think your niche market may be be larger than you think.
I'm sure you thought of this but didn't see it mentioned, but could you somehow incorporate a sleeping pad like the NeoAire into the float tube to further lower the overall weight?[/quote]
Thanks!
I have actually considered double duty parts. For example instead of the inflatable seat just put a sling in and save maybe 5 ounces, but then stack a folded Neo Air (actually the exact pad I had in mind) in there as the seat.
Few issues:
- If you go on a day trip, you save 5 ounces but add a pound since you're taking the sleeping pad that you otherwise wouldn't have. Maybe not a huge issue as you pack lighter for day trips anyway.
- The folded and stacked pad isn't nearly as rigid as the one piece, thicker designed seat so you may sag quite a bit more and the ride may be "squishy".
- Any full length pad would have to be folded twice (three layers thick) to fit right, but that would make it 8 inches thick, and you'd be very top-heavy on that perch. It may be possible to fold once and flip the leftover up as a backrest but then the rigidity is even worse.
- Finally, if a solution were found to actually make it work well, it would really only work the best most likely with a particular pad brand and size and style.
Yup, I've thought of it.
That said, I haven't given up on a camp sit-pad/pillow/backrest option.
Shoot me a message if you might be interested in one. There's nothing I'd love more than to help people unlock a piece of their backcountry experience that they thought was out of reach to them.
_SHig
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