If you had a $200 budget for a float tube?

Well to be honest I'm not worried about the cost. I budgeted to spend more than I did to update my turkey gear. I have enough money to spend considering I was going to buy a new Malibu kayak with all the bells and whistles.

waxon67 wrote: I tell you right now if I was going to drop 200 bones on a new tube it would be the Cumberland hands down.

X2

Ummm, how far is the race going to be..100 yds or more..?

Fisher wrote:i would get that cover bonanza tube for $49 then go to wally world and get some snorkling fins for $20 or get the fins that go over the waders there about 50 i think and some waders for around $100 then spend the other money on fishin stuff

hey what's the deal with this $49 Spinfly tube? Anyone have any experience with it? My son is already giving me grief about prepping my float tube to go solo without him. I told him I need to make sure I'm safe and have my technique down, and then.. maybe.. I'll get him a tube. He sat in my Cumberland, and I don't know if his legs will reach the water enough to kick effectively. I might be taking a look at some of the used Caddis tubes on craigslist. Hmmm...

I found a fish cat 4 w/force fins for $200. Worth it?

IMO, no..then again, I'm not a fan of 100.00 force fins. Unless you happen to like those fins then I'd say 175.00 for both would be better. I'd offer 135.00 w/o the fins. What you pay is up to you, I'm cheap....

the guy says its been used 4 times

If you really want that type of tube, and the tube, and fins are worth it to You, then buy it. As I said, although I like the tube, the $$$ is to high for me, cuz I wouldn't use the fins. Your call, but I would offer him 175.00 .

Hammer 4 wrote:IMO, no..then again, I'm not a fan of 100.00 force fins. Unless you happen to like those fins then I'd say 175.00 for both would be better. I'd offer 135.00 w/o the fins. What you pay is up to you, I'm cheap....

Masterbaiter wrote:the guy says its been used 4 times

Wow.. really? Seems decent.. especially if you believe seller that it's only been used 4 times.

The non-deluxe Fish Cat 4 goes for $195, and the Force Fins for float tube (adjustable), are a whopping $195!
So, I guess if you already have fins, or don't like the Force Fins, then Hammer is right.. offer 135 for the tube alone.

But, if you need a whole set-up, then $200 doesn't seem like a bad deal at all to me! Make sure they are the force fins made for float tubes. Those are one-size-fits-all, and adjustable. There are other force fins, that are a bit less expensive, that need to be sized correctly, especially if you wear them over wader boots. If I saw that deal before I got mine, I'd be tempted. But, I'm bumping up close to the 250lb weight limit (with gear) on the FC4 .. and I am paranoid about the bladder being damaged or patched or whatever.


BTW>.... My brand new Classic Accessories Cumberland Float Tube just dropped on Amazon to $185!!
(I just paid $200 for mine 5 days ago!!! )

The listed weight capacity on most tubes is usually on the low side. My Son has a FC4, not the delux he weighed 270lbs when he got it, and it floated him fine. Weight won't cause the bladders to pop, ect. Also he travels light, as I do, 2 rods, about 2 lbs in lures, a 24oz Monster drink, and a banana or 2..

Hammer 4 wrote:The listed weight capacity on most tubes is usually on the low side. My Son has a FC4, not the delux he weighed 270lbs when he got it, and it floated him fine. Weight won't cause the bladders to pop, ect. Also he travels light, as I do, 2 rods, about 2 lbs in lures, a 24oz Monster drink, and a banana or 2..

Sorry if this is off-topic.. but you brought it up, so I have to ask..

How wise is it to drink a 24oz Monster drink while wearing waders in a float tube???

Well it looks like the tubelimpics has begun lol

Docrunner wrote:
Sorry if this is off-topic.. but you brought it up, so I have to ask..

How wise is it to drink a 24oz Monster drink while wearing waders in a float tube???

LOL....Hey Docrunner, A few of us OG tubers DON'T I repeat DON'T wear waders when fishing the harbors. A good pair of board shorts and a few cans of Monsters and your good to go on the marathon sessions!

I have even tubed the LAB at night in December in short....the session only lasted 5 hrs but it wasn't too bad!

Hammer 4 wrote:The listed weight capacity on most tubes is usually on the low side. My Son has a FC4, not the delux he weighed 270lbs when he got it, and it floated him fine. Weight won't cause the bladders to pop, ect. Also he travels light, as I do, 2 rods, about 2 lbs in lures, a 24oz Monster drink, and a banana or 2..

No bananas

I've talked to Jeff and we will post some date options and a plan for the races. All ideas welcome!!

Docrunner wrote:

Hammer 4 wrote:The listed weight capacity on most tubes is usually on the low side. My Son has a FC4, not the delux he weighed 270lbs when he got it, and it floated him fine. Weight won't cause the bladders to pop, ect. Also he travels light, as I do, 2 rods, about 2 lbs in lures, a 24oz Monster drink, and a banana or 2..

Sorry if this is off-topic.. but you brought it up, so I have to ask..

How wise is it to drink a 24oz Monster drink while wearing waders in a float tube???

Depends on your bladder....LOL

BTW, I don't drink all of it, maybe half at most, I take those cuz they have a resealable cap..

Docrunner wrote:

Hammer 4 wrote:The listed weight capacity on most tubes is usually on the low side. My Son has a FC4, not the delux he weighed 270lbs when he got it, and it floated him fine. Weight won't cause the bladders to pop, ect. Also he travels light, as I do, 2 rods, about 2 lbs in lures, a 24oz Monster drink, and a banana or 2..

Sorry if this is off-topic.. but you brought it up, so I have to ask..

How wise is it to drink a 24oz Monster drink while wearing waders in a float tube???

Lol I rock a 16 oz m80 every time I tube..... Keeps me goin

Tubinferbass wrote:Lol I rock a 16 oz m80 every time I tube..... Keeps me goin

NO NO NO...you got it all wrong! Its the MONSTER BFC can or nothing!

waxon67 wrote:I've talked to Jeff and we will post some date options and a plan for the races. All ideas welcome!!

Sound great maybe a work shop to help other build there racks and let others try differrent tube to see if they like they and fins too lol

You can't go wrong with the Blue Fish Cat 4. It is $195 at Bass Pro. I love mine. For $360 they have the Red Fish Cat with the inflatable seat, but I have not had any issues with the solid foam seats on the Blue version. Both get you higher out of the water for a better fishing experience.

DRPower.com has the cumberland, out the door, with shipping for $165 - hard deal to beat. My buddy has the blue fishcat, I have the cumberland, he has had great customer service, however, he only needed that because he has had at least 4 bladders fail. Not sure why but they have. I have not heard the same from other fish cat owners, but, my buddy has had a lot of issues.

I have a cumberland, I love it, and in the $200 price range I wouldn't buy anything else. 3 out of 4 of the fly fishing guys at cabelas have the cumberland - all guys who used to own an FC4 and they all say they love them.

Buy what you want, I am just passing on my perspective/opinion on this.

d

I never had a FC but I had the Cumberland for more than a year and it s been very dependable and strong on all my trips

Hands down the Cumberland is the tube to get! It recently got upgraded with more velcro unbetween the tube and bladder to keep the bladder alinged and in place when deflated now comes in a larger model with a serial number. My brothers new cumberland is about 1 foot bigger than mine.

i got 2 of them

Hmmm I think I'll get a Cumberland as a back up for the prowler. Or as a spare for a friend or maybe my daughter.