H3 owner at wits end

[tca1954]

Hi everybody, I thought I would start a new thread on an old subject (at least for me) and update you guys on my adventures with my H3 headaches. If you recall from my prior posts, I purchased an H3 about a week ago and had some problems with the outer fabric tearing away from one of the valves. I have since learned that this has happened on other H3's and it seems that the valve isn't tightened down enough on the frabic covering. So not such a big deal I thought and Cabelas was willing to exchange it for another one, figured I give them another try. Also, I had learned that only a few of the H3's had gotten through with this problem. So what are the chances of it happening again, right! Well the new one showed up Thursday and today Friday I took it out for what I was hoping would be a good day of fishing.

I inflated the left side pontoon and the very tip of it didn't completely fill. It felt like a blunt end. So I tried to feel if it was some how folded in on it self and managed to pull it loose and this seemed to work. So that was not anything that concerned me. When I went to inflate the right side I noticed that about half way through the inflation process that a big buckle and bulge was occurring towards the back of the pontoon and the front of the pontoon was not inflating. I probably was about 5-6 pumps into the process.The pontoon was still relatively soft and I stopped pumping because I needed to see what was up. So I decided to de-flate the pontoon and when I pushed in the valve the whole thing pushed through the fabric and became completely detached from the covering.

Now I'm stunned, couldn't beleive it. I just stood there with a "what the *----*" look on my face. I am totally at my wits end with this thing. I really don't get this. What in the heck is wrong with these things. I feel like I'm cursed. Don't know how to proceed. I am so digusted that I am thinking about just fishing from the bank as I always have and giving up on tubes.

Now I have to get a hold of Cabelas and return this thing one more time. But I really don't want to give up. But no more with Scadden products. What do you guys think, is an SFC or Prowler the way to go? If the SFC's are now vinyl why so expensive and does the Prowler actually have a urethane or vinyl bladder? Need some advice before fishing season ends. Geez I thought this was going to be easy and fun, WOW!!!
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[doggonefishin]

I am sorry to hear about your problems with the H3. It has been an eye opener for me since I had considered the H3 to probably be my next ride when my Fat Cat wore out. Perhaps not. I agree that the urethane bladder is a feature worth obtaining. You may consider contacting smaller float and/or fly shops like Riverwire or the "Float tube store" and see if they still carry some of the "old" style Fat Cats or SFC's with the urethane bladder.

Good luck in whatever you do.
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[flygoddess]

You are definitely CURSED! [laugh][laugh][laugh]

That is unfortunate. Tubes will get folded up and need to be adjusted at times, specially a 6' tube.
Too bad you don't have pictures of that valve thing so we can see what you are experiencing.
But it sounds like you have made up your mind on what to do, so good luck.
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[Majja]

Yea I agree you are cursed for not having a Rojo rider. I would still call Dave instead of Emailing them and ask him WTF.
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[atvaholic]

Sorry to hear about the H3 problems. I just bought a prowler, if you want any input on it, let me know.
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[tca1954]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I was just on the phone with Cabelas and made arrangements to return the h3 and upgrade to the Prowler. And yes, atvaholic if you could let me know how it's going with your Prowler I would appreciate that. This was the tube I was going to get all along but when I saw the deal on the h3 and read all the reviews I switched.

I'm still trying to figure out what in the heck went on with the h3. I did nothing but inflate, fish for about 2-3 hours and then the fabric started to seperate away from the valve on the first one. And I was having a pretty good time with it. And on the second tube it seperated when I pressed on the valve to deflate the pontoon. The first tube in my estimation was not over inflated because I could depress the pontoons by at least a 1/4 inch, they were not rock hard. And the second tube, I never got a chance to completely fill it. Besides I have heard that Scadden inflates all the h3's to 10 #'s and let's them sit for a few days to test them. If these two had problems, should have been noticed, don't you think.

I keep feeling like I did something wrong, but what I don't know.

I have learned that this problem has occurred to a few of these and that the cause was the valve was not put on tight enough. And it did seem that the fabric simply slide out from underneath the lip of the valve. It looked like there is only about a 1/2" overlap of fabric pinched in between the valve halves, if that makes any sense. So perhaps the valves were assembled too loosely.

The fabric did not tear, it simply slide out from between the two valve halves. To me it appears that they cut a hole in the fabric to allow the valve that is attached to the bladder extend through the fabric, and then a top plate is screwed or pressed to hold the fabric in. Like screwing the lid onto a jar with fabric between the lid and the lip of the jar.

I'm wondering maybe this is supposed to be this way in case you need to change out a damaged bladder?

Any thoughts on that?
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Looks like your destiny is not to "ride red". Sorry about the problems. It is a bummer to build up the anticipation and then to get gut punched like that. Kinda like finding out your girlfriend is a drag queen. (sorry bout dat).[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Let's talk basics. The quality standard for air bladders is urethane. Okay. But, bajillions of tubes are being fished every day with PVC air chambers. Some of them have been heavily used for several years. I defy anybody to show me proof that some tuber has had a tube fail on the water, under normal use. Never happens. Sure, they are more likely to have seam failure if you overinflate or leave them in a hot car. But, if you do that you shouldn't be tubing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Made in China? So what? Most of us would prefer to NOT buy anything from China. But, USA made does not guarantee quality either. (Your H3's were American made). And, if you need or want something and it is not available USA made...and it is available Chinese made...what are you gonna do? If you need a heart valve made only in China, will you die because you don't want Chinese parts in your body?[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I am strongly against Chinese made merchandise. But, when I decided I preferred the SFC to the H3, I did not hesitate to buy one...even though I know it is made in China.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I think we can overdo our ideals sometimes to the point of obsession. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good luck.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

I am sure you are right.
I have and had 10 boats with this Halkey Roberts valve system.

2 Echo
1 SFC
1 Escalade
2 H3's
2 Navigator II
1 9' Scadden
2 Cardiac Canyons

All with the same valve, but I have never seen that happen. Add to that three brother inlaws with 3 9' Scaddens and one Cardiac Canyon.....non of them.
One even flew off the roof of a Durango on the freeway with a minor rash on the outer cover, one hinge broke on the seat and one oar gasket.

18+ years with no complaints but that is me, and why I prefer them.


But, the Prowler should have the same valve. Just gotta ask yourself if that HYDRATION PACK is worth the extra $100. not to mention a 5 year warranty compared to a 10 year. Plus more air chambers to spring leaks. The inflateable floor.
Why has no one looked at the TRINITY. That seems like a sweet ride.
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[Saberfish]

I'm suprised that a high priced, quality product would not have been tested prior to shipping.

The conditions you describe shows that there was no air put into the bladder when it was made. With the bladder not fully filling the pontoon, and the valve not securely affixed to the toon says someone was in a rush to produce the boat.

I would question the manufacturer to determine if they have a QA or QC function.
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[tca1954]

I appreciate everyones comments on my h3 issues. I went with the Prowler because I was originally going to go with that tube until I became aware of the h3 from you guys. Trust me I was convinced that the h3 was the right choice. And after getting out on the water with it, if only for a short time I liked it very much. When the fabric issues happened it didn't seem like an unsolvable problem and Cableas was great about it. But when tube no. 2 had the same thing happen, I actually looked around me to see if a gremlin was present. I never have any problem with most things I buy. I usually research everything throughly and this h3 was the one. But my confidence level really took a dive. I even thought about not even getting into tubing after this experience, but my wife brought me back around.

The Prowler has Summit valves and they appear from the pictures to be fitted with a heavier piece of fabric than the rest of the pontoons are covered with. Don't know for sure, but it looks like that. Also, a key reason for this selection was the urethane bladder. The new SFC is vinyl. I know this may be trivial to a lot of folks, but to me it's important. Simply because of what I have read and recognizing my comfort zone. The Prowler is a one valve system for the pontoons and the seat and floor make up the other 2 valves totaling three for this thing, H3 4 valves. I'm sure one valve for the pontoons maybe an issue, but then the urethane thing comes into play, if just in my mind.

I'm sure that the h3 is one of the best of the best, but it's a confidence thing now. And for Cabelas to drop the line due to poor sales makes me wonder as well. You know that I emailed NFO many times and they never answered. Again, another confidence buster.

Does it justity a $100 difference, for me it does.
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[Liprippa]

The Ford Pinto was American made. The H3 is the float tube version of the Pinto.
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[tca1954]

Saberfish, I did email NFO 4 times and asked them that very question, no reply until someone from this forum contacted them and then they did reply. In the reply they said that this has happened in a very few instances. And the problem was incorrect tightening of the valve. And they did offer to fix the problem, but I had already exchanged it through Cabelas for the 2nd one.

Since I bought it from Cabelas I thought that was the way to go.
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[atvaholic]

Hi TCA.

I'm not sure if you've read [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Float_Tube_Fishing_C66/Float_Tubing_General_F81/gforum.cgi?post=428791;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"]my post[/url], it talks about the first trip with my prowler. To sum it up, I was very pleased and very comfy for the first trip on it. The only downside I found was a tendency for me to slide forward in the seat after kicking for awhile (Mind you im 6 foot 250 lbs). This may be an under inflation issue, or owner lard issue. It is very spacious, very comfortable and very stable, I can tell you that much. I was also suprised how well I could move on it when the wind wasnt howling. Let me know if you need more information.
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[flygoddess]

LIPRIPPA: The Ford Pinto was American made. The H3 is the float tube version of the Pinto.


Here you go again. Talking about something you know nothing about, on second thought, you may have owned a Pinto.
Need a new spoon?

You realize your comment is saying, my Hubby, my Brother, Majja and several others on this forum, don't know what the heck we are doing.
ONE guy has a problem. Majja going on two years, me three.
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[flygoddess]

Tube Dude, I saw one gentlemen have a blow out on the water and first hand my brother in law (before the Scadden for the record). He almost had a heartattack trying to get to shore.
Majja could have been another story.
I hear it all the time. Maybe not a life threatening leak, but a leak non the less.
It does happen, you just aren't hearing or seeing it.

And about buying things from CHINA. There is a difference in NO CHOICE. A heart valve made in only in China vs a devise to play in the water?
There IS some things we can control. What about the plates you eat off of.
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[Majja]

[quote Liprippa]The Ford Pinto was American made. The H3 is the float tube version of the Pinto.[/quote]

I actually have to take offense to this comment. I have yet to explode while signaling to turn left in my H3.

I do like my boat and I will continue to recommend it. I do feel for the OP as i have had a similar situation happen to me. It is mind blowing when you feel you have done your home work put in the time reading, and reading and than have a failure. The first failure I would chalk it up to Poop happens. the second I would be a little concerned. I would suggest still calling NFO just to advise them of the issues with the 2nd boat. Maybe it will prevent someone else form having an issue or worse an accident.

To the Op glad you did not give up as float fishing rocks!!!
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[Fishtales23]

If you're doing any sliding, you might try going to WALMART or an RV supply store and buying a roll of a material that RVer's use in their cupboards and drawers to keep stuff from sliding around. Forgot what you call it. I cut a piece for my kayak seat and it worked great.

FT
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