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North Fork Freestyle aka Dave Scadden H3
#1
[#4040ff]I've hammered on the new H3 Freestyle float tube by North Fork Outdoors. Bad mouthed it and slammed it for being a $399/$499 float tube. I saw it again, checked it out thoroughly, picked at it for the second time in two months this past weekend at the Idaho Fly Tying Expo. It grows on you, it's light years ahead of the SFC. Sorry Pat. It's all American made, 4 urethane air chambers and a stripping apron that Tube Dude wouldn't dare to improve on. It's wider than a SFC so the seat is more comfy for us bigger folk. Air seat and back and the shell material looks bulletproof.[/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]The three pictures are of Dave Scadden in the tube. Now Dave is about 6'5" tall so you can get an idea of the tube size. The insulated side pockets are quite large and roomy. Tube Dude, sell the Cougars and seriously give this tube a long look. I think it's also 375# capacity.[/#4040ff]
[#4040ff]Dave, I apologize for slamming it. I think you've done it this time.[/#4040ff]
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#2
[cool][#0000ff]Hey Alan, looks good to me. I am selling my Cougar and my boat and I will be in the market for a replacement for the SFC soon. Might be worth looking into.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Any idea where the closest "showroom" might be?[/#0000ff]
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#3
The pictures don't even show a stripping apron [crazy]
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#4
I noticed that also, but the apron has a lip all the way around it and it lays flat.
As far as who carries them "The Fly Desk" open Monday night and Saturday days.
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#5
Looks nice. The seat/back rest appears in the pics to be more robust than the Fat Cat seats. Is that true? Also, you mentioned that the shell was "bulletproof". How does it compare to the Fat Cat shell. I am cursed with incessant bad luck with float tube leaks, even on my Fat Cat. (Must be the operator[blush])
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#6
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The pictures don't even show a stripping apron [crazy] [/reply]
I looked at these at a fishing show in January, and if I remember correctly, the "stripping apron" is actually just the storage pocket you can see Scadden's hand in in the upper right photo.
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#7
I saw these at the fly expo a couple of months ago. They can run rapids too! He was playing a video so I saw it done! Too spendy for me now, mabye some day!
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#8
There is an apron that goes across your lap like any other float tube. I went back and found this picture of myself and Larry Tullis at the Utah Sportsmen's Show.
The material on the outside of the tube is thick rip resistant nylon with Urethane Bladders, not PVC. That adds to the toughness and also the price.

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#9
I found this old thread bouncing around on Google. After reading EvilAsh's posting I done a little searching and am impressed with the Freestyle H3' ratings. I didn't realize that it is made in the U.S. I can't imagine a 15 yr gurantee. There has to be confidence in the product to put that on it.
I am happy with my Outcast Cats, but when I am in the market for a replacement, I will give this one some serious consideration. Mike
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#10
To rehash what I've already said about my H3 - I LOVE IT! So much, in fact, that when I caused the seam to rip on one of the pontubes due to increased pressure from the hot sun (yeah, I KNOW better, but when you're out on the water fishin' things like monitoring the pontoon pressure kinda get sidelined), I ordered another one from NFO! I have since then gotten the ripped seam on my original H3 sewn up by a local upholsterer and intend to use it this coming weekend since my new one hasn't arrived yet (NFO said they were still waiting on bladders last I heard:o( I researched ALL the float tubes and pontubes as much as I could before making the initial decision to buy an H3 (which happened to be on sale at the time for $325.00). I liked the SFC and the Prowler but am real glad that I went ahead and bought the H3. Tons of room in the side pockets and SO COMFORTABLE and easy to maneuver! Now I wouldn't use anything else (at least to do the kind of fishing I do on the float tube only lake I usually fish). GREAT tube and well worth the $$$$s, IMO!!
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#11
Not to discourage because IMO this is the ultimate Tube, but the apron could be an accessory.

I still have my H3 and love it even though I don't use it as much as allot of people here due to the fact I have soooooo many choices[laugh][laugh]
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