10-08-2013, 02:13 PM
[#0000FF]Weighing in late on your original question. Sorry. Been occupied...fishing and catchup work details.
You have gotten some good input from actual ODC buyers and users. I have fished from the standard ODC 420 and found it to be comparable in most respects to the Fat Cat. Different bladder and pocket setups but otherwise pretty close.
The lighter versions sacrifice some quality and toughness for lighter weight. But if you are serious about trudging your heavy self and your tube up a long trail then every ounce counts. For that reason you will want to end up with an inflated seat model. Lighter and less volume to pack.
The main consideration should be how you will be using the tube the most...hike in or low altitude fishing on other waters. If the majority of your fishing will be on lakes to which you can drive and launch then you may wish to go for the sturdiest model...and suffer a few extra ounces on a pack in. Or, you could buy a wheeler and save yourself some sweat and palpitations.
Definitely would not recommend the U-boat. Much lower seating and lower weight rating. Not for us boys of "ample" proportions.
[/#0000FF]
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You have gotten some good input from actual ODC buyers and users. I have fished from the standard ODC 420 and found it to be comparable in most respects to the Fat Cat. Different bladder and pocket setups but otherwise pretty close.
The lighter versions sacrifice some quality and toughness for lighter weight. But if you are serious about trudging your heavy self and your tube up a long trail then every ounce counts. For that reason you will want to end up with an inflated seat model. Lighter and less volume to pack.
The main consideration should be how you will be using the tube the most...hike in or low altitude fishing on other waters. If the majority of your fishing will be on lakes to which you can drive and launch then you may wish to go for the sturdiest model...and suffer a few extra ounces on a pack in. Or, you could buy a wheeler and save yourself some sweat and palpitations.
Definitely would not recommend the U-boat. Much lower seating and lower weight rating. Not for us boys of "ample" proportions.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]