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Went out on the pond here in Rhode Island at 5Am this morning and was really doing well flyrodding on top for the big bull bluegills, when I heard a crackle like you hear when you lean on an empty bottle of water in your side pocket. Then I heard it a few more times and looked in the pocket........ no water bottle!
It turned out to be the threads popping on my Fat Cat shell. The bladder stuck out of a 6 " tear and looked like an umbellical hernia. Believe it or not I finished up the morning's fishing being careful to stay away from pointed twigs and "stick ups". I just finished sewing it up and pumping it up. It looks like it's going to be okay.
With my Wood River Gliderider being so portable I brought it along as backup in case something went askew with our Outast tubes. My buddy's Fish Cat 4 is only in its second season. My Fat Cat is in it's sixth season. Would it be likely that the thread could weaken and rot over 6 years? The tube was definitely not over-inflated.
If this repair doesn't last I'll be "Glide Ridin" across the pond for the next few days.
Dave,
I'm workin' on the pictorial.
Tube,
The finder works great. like you often said the finding and the catching are two different things. I'm marking so many fish it's making me think about cranking out my spinning rod.
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Wow! That's not good, your tube rippin' like that. I wonder what's up? The new SFCs have a five year warrantee. I wonder if that means they've improved the stitching?
From what I've heard about them, having to fall back on a Gliderider is not a bad deal at all. Glad you had the backup.
I can't wait for the pictorial. [cool]Be sure to include some interesting shots of other things besides all those big fish you're catching - like tubes ripping and stuff like that. Fish pics are OK, too.
When will you be back home?
z~
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[cool] [#0000ff]It's  but true that any watercraft is subject to seam failure after a period of time. The combination of inflation, water soaking and drying, ultraviolet rays, heat and cold, and all that other stuff simply weakens any type of fabric and thread. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some are made better than others and never seem to have problems. However, even a "quality" craft like those made by Outcast are not impervious to the effects of age. \[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Thankfully, most of the time you can repair the seams with good thick nylon thread and the repairs are as good or better than the original stitching. I had a D ring on the bottom (one of the backpack connections) tear loose on mine. I restitched it and reinforced it with some Aquaseal. For good measure, after it was dried and cured, I drilled two holes through the repaired connection and used small bolts, nuts and washers to really make sure. That connection will still be good long after I am planted.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]After you get back, if you are still not totally confident in your repair, take the cover to a canvas and awning place and have them run a quick stitch on it. Better than buying a new tube.[/#0000ff]
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Tube,
Have you ever taken the bladder out of an Outcast tube? I couldn't figure out how to free up the valve.
My friend and I just got in from the evening's fishing and the repair seemed good. I was tempted to run a bead of Marine Goop down the seam but I haven't done so.
My spare tube the Gliderider is no longer made. Do you think I would be able to adapt another company's V-shaped bladder should mine ever fail? The air bladder in the Gliderider is a one piece unit that fills both pontoons.
Dave,
I was going to take a shot of the bladder bulging out of the tube but I was so intent on fixing it I forgot to take the picture.
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[reply]
Dave,
I was going to take a shot of the bladder bulging out of the tube but I was so intent on fixing it I forgot to take the picture. [/reply]
[cool]I guess we can let you off the hook for that. Hope you're having a good time.
z~
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[cool][#0000ff]Outcast sells a "repair kit" for about $40. It supposedly includes the tool for taking the valve apart. I have not bought a kit nor taken the valve apart. I have repaired the air chamber a couple of times but have never completely taken it off the cover.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is entirely possible that you can find another air chamber to replace the one in your "Rider". The big hurdle is usually the valve placement and method of attachment. All manufacturers seem to make them differently. Sorry, but I can't begin to tell you where to look.[/#0000ff]
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6 yrs is pretty good on longevity. This is why there is such a price difference in tubes. Not only the PVC bladder vs the Urythane, but the more expensive tubes have better stitching and at times, top stitching (Freestyle H3 is a good example). In this case....you do get what you pay for. Fat Cat $149, SFC $300. ( these prices might be hi or low, but just a point).
When buying a tube or a toon, I look at what kind of valves, outer cover material and bladder material and I can say I have my share of mistakes, but I feel I have the best of the best now.
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[cool][#0000ff]Just so's ya know, there is about $100 difference between the Fat Cat and the Super Fat Cat. The only difference is in the seat. The SFC has the inflatable. I got the SFC and have had nothing but problems with the seat. I have had to fix pinhole leaks at virtually every seam junction. That is eight on each side. (See attached pic)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I do not think I have enjoyed fishing on a full seat more than 10 percent of all my trips. They should give a $100 discount for choosing the inflated seat.[/#0000ff]
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I agree that the inflatable seat is a joke. My ol' man and myself have the older ones with the styro seat, he didn't care for the back of the seat however. Ended up putting plexiglass in it. But they are stitch very well, maybe not on the outside but, I was going to add "D" ring's to mine, so I cut the seam (or tried, it was a tough) added the nylon strap with the "D" ring, then used leather work thread to sew it up again. The material is very thick also.
Have had mine for around 10 yrs, the old man maybe 8 and we have had NO problems with either, except his faded from red to a nice shade of pink[  ]
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Hi, newguy here comeing out from the lurk.
Interesting info as I'm just on the verge of deciding between a Creek ODC 420 and a Fish/Fat Cat. I was leaning towards the ODC anyway and despite claims of "more comfort and higher seating" was leary of the inflateable seat option on the Outcasts. I'm surprised that the stitching would go that fast as I've had cheaper tubes (with admitted limited use) last 10+ years.
p.s. Smallmouth89, what end of RI are you fishing. I fish the Tiverton/LC side quite a bit myself. Wonder if we've met?
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[reply]
[cool][#0000ff]I do not think I have enjoyed fishing on a full seat more than 10 percent of all my trips. They should give a $100 discount for choosing the inflated seat.[/#0000ff] [/reply]
TD,
Have you checked with Outcast to see whether that seat part is replacable? On mine it slips out as a separate unit. (Knowing you, you probably have and its a dumb question that I ask.) Yours may be past warrantee but you still might be able to buy a replacement. (I know there's the principle of the thing also. When you pay that much for a tube you shouldn't have to replace weak parts. I'm not trying to address that.)
I must still be in the first 10 percent of all my trips. Mine is firm and comfortable. Stays inflated all day long. Floats high on the water. Tube is still fairly new though and I dread having the experiences you mentioned.
z~
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[cool][#0000ff]I have had to repair mine easily over 50 times...again after today's trip. Of course I know how to remove it from the cover. That is the only way it can be repaired. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I did not start having seam failure leaks until after my one year warranty on the seat had expired. I will not buy another one, just on principle. I have tried inserting foam seats and they work...for awhile...but are not comfortable if not the seats made specifically for the Fat Cats. Again, I do not care to spend $100 to fix something I will be replacing soon.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You Outcast fans might want to know that in spite of mailings and emailings, asking for input and potential assistance for the problems of seat height, seat failure, poor aprons, etc., I have never received NOT EVEN ONE REPLY...EVER.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have sealed every connector corner on the bottom portion of my inflated seat with a half inch thick gob of Aquaseal (about $50 worth so far). Now, today, the back part of the seat has started leaking...again at one of the seam junctions. By halfway through my morning fishing I had no back support.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I will never buy another Super Fat Cat.[/#0000ff]
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TD,I have to wonder if sealing it from the inside might be the answer. I know they make a latex sealer for repairing leaky avon type rafts that works great but is not cheap. But the $4 green SLIME brand tire sealer they sell in the bicycle dept at walmart might work. Stuff worked wonders on my motorcycle tires and lasted forever. Just make sure that you get the Tube type and that it's compatible with the urathane in your bladder ( and i'd think it was.)
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks for the thought, but the inflation valve on the seat partitions would not allow the introduction anything like that. I have used "proactive" sealants before, especially with the old inner tubes, but these fancy valves on new tubes can get gummed up and ruined if you try to put something through them besides air.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The seats are not the urethane air bladders of the main tube. They are kind of fabric covered vinyl. They are very tough...until they fail.[/#0000ff]
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