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[cool][#0000ff]Over the years there have been a lot of "unique" float tube designs. Anything that does not appeal to the mainstream tuber...as a good fishing platform...is usually doomed to fail. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]While your idea seems like a good idea (to you), I cannot think of a single fishing trip I have made in 50 years where I would have used such a design. But, I do not fish moving water in my tube either. And, the percentage of tubers who might fish moving water, and want a footrest, is very small.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short, I doubt that intelligent manufacturers would invest the money on developing a prototype, tooling up and marketing such a craft. The potential market would be far too limited.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are craft on the market that are hybrids between tubes and boats. [url "http://www.waterstrider.com/"]HERE IS A LINK[/url][/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, welcome to the forum.[/#0000ff]
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Thanks for the link. That is almost exactly what I had in mind. Just slightly on the heavy side at 33 lbs.
The 'rounded' front should improve the manoeuvrability in the rapids. The main reason for the footrest is not to 'rest your feet' but to keep them out of the way when going through shallow water where they might hit the ground and generally get in the way.
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While this is not rounded like a raft I think it would do exactly what you want and weighs in at only 18lbs. Have a look
[url "http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/navigator2.html"]NFO Navigator II[/url]
It is white water rated has a place for your feet and a 700lb capicity. Now the slight down side is it is a bit on the pricey side but quality materials you will always pay for.
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[black][size 3]Over the years, several hybrid craft have been produced, but they have just not caught on with the fishing crowd.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]Outcast made one with the center cut out, with a pointed end both fore and aft, but it didn't sell.[/size]
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[size 3]The one shown above in TD's post, has been on the market for several years, but have not been real popular. Most people that have purchased them have offered them for sale after a short time, and replaced them with a regular toon or tube.[/size]
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The one in TD's post are still popular specialy up north west. I go to a Washington board that loves these things cause they are more along the lines of a Pontoon, but NO FRAME. And reasonablly light. The big down fall for them is the price! They are outrageous.
Scadden put out one we use to have called the Escalade, which from the side looked like an inflateable kayak. In side from seat back looked like a Super Fat Cat and the front was open, but the tubes connected in the front to form a V. It cuts throught the water nice and can be done with flippers of a paddle. Had a strap at the front for you feet and very light.
Now it is the Navigator II which is state of the art! Pontoon with no frame and a float tube at the same time with a motor mount.
Very similar to the H3 but the H3 measures 6' and the Navigator 9'
Most people around here fish stillwaters mostly with the Green being one of the closest rivers big enough for floating. That is why pontoons and tubes are the choice around here.
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Thanks for the suggestions. They do look promising. For a couple of months the only 'light weight' raft which I knew about were made by Alpacka. That was until I had a look at the Float tubes (Only ever though of them for still water use) and realised the new U and V ones were almost rafts but only lack the front tube and foot support.
Since then I now know about 3-4 more potential boats. Although they are all on the more expensive side compared with float tubes.
I also found one called a WaterMaster Grizzily and Kodiak raft. Looks similar to the Water Strider which looks very similar to the Wilderness Access EXP. Both are made by Incept Marine so they probably are identical.
I have done a google search and think I have found the Washington board which Flygoddess suggested. Interesting reading.
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[black][size 3]Just a couple of considerations:[/size][/black]
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[size 3]Most rivers have a "class of rapids" rating, and most craft have ratings for their capability to handle rapids. Check this out.[/size]
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[size 3]When floating a river, you will want somewhere to put your feet above the bottom of the craft. (a set of foot rests or strap)[/size]
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[size 3]Holding your feet up or banging rocks with your feet and legs can either cause injury or will make you very tired.[/size]
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[size 3]Just a thought.[/size]
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That Waterstrider looks just like the Watermaster and Able's "raft/kickboat" (I don't think it's in Able's stable anymore".)
at over $1000 it think it's a little on the expensive side, although people that have owned them like the style and the way they ride. I checked on the WM [url "http://www.kickboat.com/products.htm"]http://www.kickboat.com/products.htm[/url]
They just call them the frameless kickboat. Looks like a raft to me. I guess to each his own. I'm with Majia and FG on the Navigator II. Give me one of those over a WM, or WS
[url "http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/navigator2.html"]http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/navigator2.html[/url]
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