Hello again all, and let me thank each and everyone of you for any help or insight you may be able to give!!
Well, I have a problem. About a month ago, I let my 11 year old use my pontoon boat in a local farm pond we have access to. Now the problem was not getting her into it, it is in getting her OUT of it!!! She lovves the thing!! She seems to have a natural instinct for using it. So far, I have NEVER felt uncomfortable with her in it!
So I guess she now “owns” MY pontoon. I guess I am going to have to break down and get something else. The only water I have been fishing in with my … er HER … pontoon is in small to medium size farm ponds and small local lakes. I originally bought it for stream/river use but don’t think I am going to be doing much of that.
Now I am looking at purcahsing a float tube for me to use while she is in the toon. I know, you are all going to try to tell me to buy another toon. Problem is that living in an small apartment I don’t have a lot of room for another. This is one reason I am looking at a tube.
Another problem I have is with what to look for in a tube. I am on the larger side of the spectrum (6’1" and 265 lbs,) therefore having a tube that will support my … tonage … is of utmost importance.
I have been looking at the Trout Unlimited Kennebec, Togiac, and Bighorn tubes. I am wanting something that will be comfortable, and something that I can take out and spend an afternoon or even all day in. Having the capability to pack a sandwich and ships with 2 or 3 soda’s would be nice too, or if nothing else maybe some space for a small ice chest. But if worst came to worst and all I could get into it was some bottled waters into the side pouches, well that would be okay.
So far all out there with any experience with these tube, please chime in! Also for all of you with tube experience, other than a GOOD PFD, good fins, and small anchor system, what else might I need or want for tubing? What should I look for in a tube as for as quality is concerned? How hard are tubes to use? Are they as nice and stable as my … her … pontoon?
We enjoy tubing a bit. We have a BIG one as we are large too, at around 300lbs. lately.
Ours has a truck innertube instead of a bladder. Bladders are lighter but prone to deterioration with some chemicals. (Bug sprays and deet?) We do not pack ours much and the tube has served us well for over 10yrs.
We have a floating sack that gets tethered to the tube when we want some gill for filleting. We have seen others tether coolers to the tube to have refreshments handy. Guess tethering is limited to your imagination.
Some of the bass boys really trick’em out with spare pole holders, fishing buddy sounders and even electric troll motors. Waaaay too much stuff for this old codger.
…lee s.
Personally I’d move heaven and earth to find a way to store a 2nd pontoon! That said…If I “had” to make do with a tube I’d go for an open-front, u-shaped one. I have one that I use if I have to “carry-in” as it weighs only 6 or 7 #'s. [I’ve used it a coupla times in the last two years or so.] For me, they are slower and more tiring than a ‘toon - no oars. I use my Hobie Float Car MUCH MORE than the tube. I did try a friend’s round “belly boat” one time - moved about 15-20’ out and back. Took f-o-r-e-v-e-r!! They give a new meaning to a “slow-troll”!
May I submit the suggestion of looking at the Daytripper Float Tube? Its a hybrid of a floa ttube and a pontoon and its stated weight capacity is 350 lb.
Orvis sells it but I have heard that there are other options for purchase as well.
Being a float cat owner as well as a small appartment dweller,I’d like to hear what decisons you make.
To date my floatcat has yet to leave PA,and I am now in NY, The floatcat from Hobbie is not a softsided inflatable Toon and am myself now looking into something “tempoary” for use here…as I plan on moving heaven and earth to get myself and my new fam back in PA at a later date…I hope…
Hope you keep us posted on what you get and how you like it.
My own thoughts are leaning on a 10 ft portabote as it would come in handy with the whole fam and be handleable for stowing/packing…even car top travel.
“I’ve often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before” A.K.Best
“Wish ya great fishing”
Bill
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 13 August 2005).]
RCaillouer3;
I asked the same question a couple of months ago and stole a Wood River Stealth Rider from ohiotuber.
One piece of advice he gave was to add teathers to the flippers. If you lose one or both flippers you may be in trouble as wadding boots don’t supply much force.
I picked up a couple of dog collars at the dollar store and added plastic snaps from an old pack. Put the dog collars on the waders and snap them to the waders.
Keep it soft when in the car. The hot sun can blow it up. Same for changing altitudes.
Add more air just before getting in the water, realy firm it up as it will loose some pressure in cool water.
I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here!
Cactus AKA “Lucky Dog (Pirate Name)”
[This message has been edited by Jack Hise (edited 13 August 2005).]
Water Skeeter makes an M3Day Tripper that is a “pontoon” float tube. Sit up out of the water but no oars. Supports 350 pound person. $149 and weighs 17 pounds.
I think it is the same one I have seen on Orvis and Cabelas web sites. But to see it you can go to: oregonfishing.com
on top menu bar…“products”
left menu bar…"Kick boats & FloatTubes
You will see two. The Backpacker Lite supports 290 pounds and the M3 Daytripper below it supports 350lbs. Click on “more info” in the text of each boat to read more.
