RCF
Life of the Party
Seams like the prudent thing to do...The guy does have a point though, about eliminating unnecessary seams.
Seams like the prudent thing to do...The guy does have a point though, about eliminating unnecessary seams.
That's likely where I'm headed next. I still have my old Gen 1 Fish Cat which works fine, but something slightly larger with sturdier bladder material (on my second set of bladders on my FC, about the end of their life)Start at the top. Buy once. Super Fat Cat.
Thoughts??
Lost Creek 4 Float Tube - Gray/Orange
https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-.../lost-creek-4-float-tube-grayorange/p/1523865
Jared - I think I need to call you "Dude", you may well be overthinking this ;-) - I have a seven year old Super Fat Cat, orange and grey (two colors). I never leave this boat fully inflated sitting in the sun unless I'm taking a short shore break (pee, lunch). After fishing (afternoons) I backpack it to my truck fully inflated and then let some air out for the drive home. During fishing season, I store the boat inside a shed, partially inflated, protected from the sun and UV. Using some common sense, the boat is bulletproof. It's comfortable and very functional.I'm more concerned about the reported UV damage.
Jared ... you may well be overthinking this
Buzzy makes a good point, Jared. Never leave your new tube fully inflated in the sun, in a hot car, or when going up in elevation, because the air inside the bladders will expand.Jared - I think I need to call you "Dude", you may well be overthinking this ;-) - I have a seven year old Super Fat Cat, orange and grey (two colors). I never leave this boat fully inflated sitting in the sun unless I'm taking a short shore break (pee, lunch). After fishing (afternoons) I backpack it to my truck fully inflated and then let some air out for the drive home. During fishing season, I store the boat inside a shed, partially inflated, protected from the sun and UV. Using some common sense, the boat is bulletproof. It's comfortable and very functional.
I'm 73, no way I would consider hiking this boat on an alpine lakes hike, it weights 13 pounds which ain't bad, it's all the gear needed for fishing from it. I sort of have about 1.5 miles as my maximum limit hiking in distance because, as everyone knows, the return hike is at least double the hike in.
View attachment 53373
I've been crazy enough to hike in with four fly rods.....
Despite one of the OP's requirements for a more "portable" PWC,Surprised nobody has mentioned the wilderness lite yet...
It didn't sound like he intended to carry the tube for miles.Have a Clearwater for shorter carrys but I need one for longer jaunts.
BTW, the SFC I purchased in 2022 has a stripping apron with magnetic rear fasteners that is much nicer than the older "4 vertical stays in sleeves" style that my (pre-WL BPro) Trinity had several years ago. I see they also now have a velcro version in their accessories catalog... maybe for the lower cost models???Despite one of the OP's requirements for a more "portable" PWC,
It didn't sound like he intended to carry the tube for miles.
Hiking-backpacking 2 to 8 miles into lakes where my WL BPro has been ideal because of its small packed size and low 3.4lb weight are not the preferred durability, comfortable & relatively dry sitting position, and roomy characteristics my SFC has for walk-ins of up to just a few hundred yards.
Yup....and the wear is a reminder of the good times you've had using a piece of equipment.Shit wears out. The more you use it, the quicker it wears out.
Jared - I think I need to call you "Dude", you may well be overthinking this ;-) - I have a seven year old Super Fat Cat, orange and grey (two colors). I never leave this boat fully inflated sitting in the sun unless I'm taking a short shore break (pee, lunch). After fishing (afternoons) I backpack it to my truck fully inflated and then let some air out for the drive home. During fishing season, I store the boat inside a shed, partially inflated, protected from the sun and UV. Using some common sense, the boat is bulletproof. It's comfortable and very functional.
I'm 73, no way I would consider hiking this boat on an alpine lakes hike, it weights 13 pounds which ain't bad, it's all the gear needed for fishing from it. I sort of have about 1.5 miles as my maximum limit hiking in distance because, as everyone knows, the return hike is at least double the hike in.
View attachment 53373
I've been crazy enough to hike in with four fly rods.....
Did you consider the Prowler?I just got a brand new super fat cat this year. Since I'm 6-6 and 245 ish I think the added room will be really nice. It seems super well made and my guess is that it will last many years. Will report back on March 1st