Duck,
Thanks for the post. I was thinking I would have to cut off the existing pockets, deflate the bladder and sew on the velcro to attach new pockets. Glue works for you…cool…works for me. The Griggs pontoon float tube I have has Boston Valves whatever that is. I bought it already inflated. Tomorrow I am going to deflate it and air it back up just to learn what it takes. My favorite valve…what’s on my Water Skeeter pontoon boat. Don’t know what it is called…spring loaded with what looks like a plastic gear at the top. Hold it down and it deflates. Push down and turn 90 degrees and it locks down…and will deflate all by itself! Sweet.
Jim,
My Skeeter too…so why in the heck didn’t Wood’s use one you can lock down…
By the way I usually use the strong industrial velcro…
Tip for you golfers out there…or maybe some of you have golfer friends…used golf gloves are a source of a nice sized patch of velcro…and soft leather…free
[This message has been edited by ducksterman (edited 11 June 2005).]
[This message has been edited by ducksterman (edited 11 June 2005).]
My Wood River Gliderider has two different Halkey-Roberts valves on it. The main air bladder has a metal valve that screws open or closed and can even accept a standard air pumpwith a different fitting that came with the boat. When it’s time to deflate I just open it all the way up and go about my business while she deflates.
The backrest bladder has a valve that is a one way gizmo that has to held down to deflate. I made up a gadget that I attach to my double action pump that keeps the valve open while I deflate it with the pump. It takes about 5 strokes.
But the interesting thing is that both valves are fitted inside of the tube that extends out of the actual air bladder so if I wanted to I could replace or change the valves to any type that would fit into the tube opening. So far I haven’t needed or wanted to do either.
I’ve just come back from a 1 1/2 week fishing outing with a buddy. This was also the first time out with our new tubes. Mine the Super Fat Cat, his the Fish Cat 4 Deluxe. Both of us had previously owned doughnut tubes, and were delighted with the ease of entering and exiting these new tubes. Having said that, my friend has decided to put his Fish Cat 4 deluxe into storage for when his son gets older, and purchase a Super Fat Cat. Reasons? Much more storage for one. The pockets of the Super Fat Cat are huge! Also the storage area at the bow is larger. Another reason is the Super Fat Cat has more velcro straps for holding spare rods etc… Other pluses for the Super Fat Cat is the double stitching and better valve system.
Anyhow… just more food for though.
[This message has been edited by River Rat (edited 12 June 2005).]
Just ordered a pair of 21" Force Fins and now am very very close to pulling the trigger on a Super Fat Cat…and I thought I loved my Wood’s Gliderider…we’ll see, maybe I’ll decide to sell it.
Respect Your Elders!
Ducksterman
[This message has been edited by ducksterman (edited 12 June 2005).]
I have the Fish Cat 4. Got it on sale at Cabela’s last year for $99! It’s really a good unit. I was worried about the hard foam seat, but it is really quite comfortable, and keeps your butt up out of the water. The Fish Cat goes thru the water much easier than any tube I’ve owned, and I really like being up out of the pond higher.