Higher seating float tubes

[EricM]

Hi guys,

I'm a new tuber and have for the last few months been heavily fishing out of my Caddis Nevada float tube. I love this float tube and am really glad I got it, but my only issue is how low I sit in the water. Now I knew from the get go I was going to be sitting low, but after seeing some friends who have higher seating float tubes it has made me want a higher seated tube. After all, my storage pockets are basically resting in the water and after an hour or so the water seeps into the pockets and gets my gear wet. When I rest my rods on my lap across the apron, most of the time my reels are submerged in water too. Nothing I do seems to be able to fix or avoid these problems.

I'm not big guy, and in fact I'm really skinny and only weight 160 so I know its not my weight pulling this tube down. Am I possibly under inflating my tube? It sure doesn't feel or look like it though. Like I said, its not a deal breaking issue for me because I love this little tube, but I am looking for something higher and drier!

I have been looking at the Bucks Bags Hi and Dri II because it seems to be a really good tube that has plenty of storage and keeps me sitting high. Anybody have any experience with this tube? I am also interested in the Fish 4 Cat float tube too because I have only heard good things about that tube and have seen in person how much higher a person sits in the water. I am really drawn to the Bucks Bag because of the 5 year warranty it includes as well as the large room and storage it has.

Does anybody else have any favorite high seated float tubes to recommend?

Thanks

Eric
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[cpierce]

I think you will be much happier with the Fish Cat 4. I went from the Caddis Nav II to the FC4 and it is a huge difference in how you sit. Plus you will find that the "V" tubes move through the water easier and track great. The Creek Co ODC 420 is another one to look at.

I would NOT go with a round tube like the High and Dry or a "U" tube.

If you can, borrow a V tube and you will see the difference right away.
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[Illinoisgiller]

Fish Cat #4 is the way to go. Reasonable in price and totally dependable. Illinoisgiller
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[peter805]

Welcome a board !

As you say, your stuff is in the water, gear, reels......
Thats not good.
I have a Super Fat Cat and love it. My friend has
fish cat 4 and it is a very good boat for him. You are
only 160lb so the fish cat 4 just maybe the boat for you.
The only thing I dont like about it is the vinol bladders.
Everything alse is great.

Hope this helps.

Peter
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[WeeFolk]

I have a Fat Cat, it's great. I have 20 lbs. plus on you and the seat of my waders hardly gets wet, if at all.
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[idahoron]

The FC4 is 150.00 at costco right now. That is a great deal I love mine. Ron
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[EricM]

Wow, thanks for all the positive info so quick! Definitely going to look at the Fish Cat 4 tube now and probably get it soon!
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[pontoonman]

The valves on the Caddis seem to very slowly leak according to this review: http://www.outdoorreview.com/cat/flyfish...01crx.aspx

That may be what is causing your sinking. You can periodically pump them back up if you are otherwise happy with the tube.

I prefer pontoons, but for float tubes I like the "V" tubes which have inflatable seats that allows you some adjustment as to how high you sit above the water. You can find the ODC 420s as low as $99 when they run a special, so thats what I got. With good inflation your butt will be above water 2" if you weigh under 185#. I added a 1.5" seat cushion cut from a discarded pool lounger and this keeps my butt DRY even with small waves or while paddling.

Hope this helps.

Pon



[quote EricM]Hi guys,

I'm a new tuber and have for the last few months been heavily fishing out of my Caddis Nevada float tube. I love this float tube and am really glad I got it, but my only issue is how low I sit in the water. Now I knew from the get go I was going to be sitting low, but after seeing some friends who have higher seating float tubes it has made me want a higher seated tube. After all, my storage pockets are basically resting in the water and after an hour or so the water seeps into the pockets and gets my gear wet. When I rest my rods on my lap across the apron, most of the time my reels are submerged in water too. Nothing I do seems to be able to fix or avoid these problems.

I'm not big guy, and in fact I'm really skinny and only weight 160 so I know its not my weight pulling this tube down. Am I possibly under inflating my tube? It sure doesn't feel or look like it though. Like I said, its not a deal breaking issue for me because I love this little tube, but I am looking for something higher and drier!

I have been looking at the Bucks Bags Hi and Dri II because it seems to be a really good tube that has plenty of storage and keeps me sitting high. Anybody have any experience with this tube? I am also interested in the Fish 4 Cat float tube too because I have only heard good things about that tube and have seen in person how much higher a person sits in the water. I am really drawn to the Bucks Bag because of the 5 year warranty it includes as well as the large room and storage it has.

Does anybody else have any favorite high seated float tubes to recommend?

Thanks

Eric[/quote]
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[mainlander]

I love my FC4. I'm 220lbs and have no issues with it lowering my fat butt into the water.

Also, the FC4 comes with a 5 year warranty too.

Want to make it even more comfortable and keep you just a bit higher out of the water? Add a deck chair like I did.




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[OlDirtyBasser]

I'm guessing you do have some kind of pressure issue (underinflating or leakage). I used a nevada for years before buying my ODC 420, which I love. Only problem I ever had with the nevada was that sometimes if I didn't inflate enough, if I leaned on it with my elbow, it would buckle and water would come over.

That brings me to the only thing I don't like about the higher V-tubes. I miss resting my elbows on the tube. Sometimes I think about making armrests. Otherwise, it's like going from a rowboat to a bass boat. It also makes you depend less on the "waterproofness" of your waders.
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[peter805]

mainlander wrote:[/quote]
I love my FC4. I'm 220lbs and have no issues with it lowering my fat butt into the water.

Also, the FC4 comes with a 5 year warranty too.

Want to make it even more comfortable and keep you just a bit higher out of the water? Add a deck chair like I did.

Hey I like that fly rod.................[]And in some kinda sick and twisted way you kinda look
like me..........[crazy] []

Peter

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[mainlander]

Ya, I'm a fly flicker! Not very good at it I'm afraid. Been trying to flyfish for about 14 years now....

That's cool that I sort of look like you because people tell me I look like Tom Cruise BWAAAAAAA HAHAHA! NOT!

And to stay somewhat on topic, I don't find much difference in the arm rest on the V-tube versus the round tube (My Kennebec was way to wide though) and you can always add a chair with armrests on it....
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[EricM]

[quote OlDirtyBasser]I'm guessing you do have some kind of pressure issue (underinflating or leakage). I used a nevada for years before buying my ODC 420, which I love. Only problem I ever had with the nevada was that sometimes if I didn't inflate enough, if I leaned on it with my elbow, it would buckle and water would come over.

That brings me to the only thing I don't like about the higher V-tubes. I miss resting my elbows on the tube. Sometimes I think about making armrests. Otherwise, it's like going from a rowboat to a bass boat. It also makes you depend less on the "waterproofness" of your waders.[/quote]

Thats exactly what happens to me too. How do I prevent leakage or figure out if I even have leakage? I don't think its under inflation because I fill that tube up GOOD, till it is REALLY taunt and the bladders feel firm when you press on them. I'm taking it out today so I'll see if I notice a difference from when I fill it up to when I come back in. Could the bad pressure be a result of the valves not closing entirely?
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[OlDirtyBasser]

I think part of it is in the design of the tube. I don't think the Nevada ever gets tight enough to completely support your weight being focused into a small area like your elbow. Also, the diameter of the "pontoons" on the Nevada is smaller than my current tube. I do think that it was better with good inflation, but I don't remember whether or not it ever completely supported the weight of my elbows.

Before the Nevada, I had two round tubes. Those didn't have that problem, and neither does my ODC 420.
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