FIELD (float) TESTING REPORTS

[TubeDude]

[cool]As moderator of the Float Tubing forum for BFT, I take it as my solemn responsibility to test as much gear as possible...not only for my own selfish purposes, but as research on behalf of others.

I took off work early yesterday, to do some product testing...strictly from a humanitarian standpoint, mind you. I wanted to check out the new Eagle Cuda 168 sonars, as a potential low cost unit for float tubes. I also had a new pair of Force Fins, acquired in a bulk purchase of some equipment from someone in California who inherited it and wasn't going to be using it.

The third piece of gear to be tested was Tube Babe's new Fat Cat...also a part of the package buy thing. Her test worked better than mine with the Force Fins. The Cuda worked fine.

Here are the links to the posts on the Float Tube forum for anyone thinking of getting a new tube, fins or sonar for their tube or 'toon.

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=39913;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"][font "Times New Roman"][#800080][size 3]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=39913;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread[/size][/#800080][/font][/url][size 3][font "Times New Roman"] FAT CAT[/font][/size]

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=39916;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"][font "Times New Roman"][#800080][size 3]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=39916;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread[/size][/#800080][/font][/url][size 3][font "Times New Roman"] CUDA 168[/font][/size]

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=39911;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"][font "Times New Roman"][#800080][size 3]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=39911;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread[/size][/#800080][/font][/url][size 3][font "Times New Roman"] FORCE FINS[/font][/size]
[signature]

[Curtisfish]

Thanks for the great reports TubeDude!

I'm surprised at your report on the Force fins. I know around here they are talked about like they are made of gold. I always used a stiff "divers" fin with the angled holes through the fin for added propulsion. I don't recall the brand. They cost about $45-$50 at the local dive shop.

What is the weight of your cat with all of your gear in it? that looks like a very nice setup, but I wonder if I could pack it into the Uinta's. Thanks for the info.
[signature]

[TubeDude]

[cool]Hey, C-fish. Glad you liked the reports. As always, our opinions are usually tempered by what we are used to. I am used to the Plana fins. I have used them against all challengers for almost twenty years now. I am a big boy with strong limbs and a serious desire to "move the water" when I hit the pond. I can't tow a skier, but I can almost put up a roostertail. With the force fins, my best efforts only splashed a lot of water and moved me slowly backward. Just not the same amount of blade to push against water, nor the total length of the foot being involved.

The one factor I allow as a distinction is that I was using the models designed for float tubers, who sometimes like to use wading shoes with their fins. Even when I tightened down the rigging as tight as I could, there was still a "flip-flop" feel, and a loss of direct push on the water. If I had had the chance to try a set of Force Fins more like the diving fins I already use, the feel would probably have been more to my liking, but there is no way to make up for the smaller blade in propulsion.

Unless you are a terminal masochist, don't even think about packing a tricked out craft like mine more than a hundred yards or so. I don't know what the exact weight is...and I probably don't want to know. I probably couldn't heft it if I knew how much it weighed. Seriously, I can actually trudge my gear for a long ways. I'm big and tough, for an old bird.

For packing in to the high mountain lakes, however, always look first at the basic weight of your craft...without the amenities. Most manufacturers have models that they promote as "pack in" systems...with thinner fabric and lighter air chambers. Every ounce saved can seem like pounds by the time you are a few miles up the trail. For example, do not buy a round tube, with a truck tire inner tube, for back packing. Go for a similar model with a light vinyl or butyl air chamber. Those air chambers can usually be inflated with lung power too...saving you the weight of a pump for airing up your craft.

There are also several brands of lightweight fins and waders ideal for packing in. Do your research or I will be happy to offer some suggestions if you wanna pick up the PM thing again.
[signature]