Getting On & Off A Float Tube From A Boat?

Getting On & Off A Float Tube From A Boat?

Have any of you done it or heard of people doing it?
I was with a friend and his son did it at the SM breakwater
However, he was wearing a wetsuit and jumped in then climbed into his tube.
I would like to be able to wear chest waders
That would be great to be able to fish breakwaters and kelpbeds without having to make a long kick or dangerous surf launch
I have a small swimstep on the starboard stern corner
Might be able to rig-up a side boom but not sure if it will aid in getting in and out of the tube and avoiding taking a plunge
Any thoughts?
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Never heard of any one doing it. I think it depends on the boat, if it's a smaller boat like Whaler, or skiff it shouldn't be to hard to lower yourself in the water w/o getting water down in the waders. If oth, you have boat with higher rails, that could be a problem, although during summer if the water is warm, just wear board shorts and not worry about it..

Those long kicks to get out there suck, especially when the wind comes up.

If it's in the summer I wouldn't bother with the waders at all. I personally don't like fishing in waders and only do when it's too cold to fish without them.

My hunting/fishing club is having an Opaleye derby out of Cabrillo in April.
Would love to able to fish right in the kelp on the outside of the LB breakwater and not risk having to get the boat too close to the rocks.
I have a 22' aluminum Bayrunner, no side rails, not real high from the water.
Next time out, will be looking closer at the possibilities.

Why not just fish from your boat if your on the ocean side of the break wall..?

Hammer 4 wrote:Why not just fish from your boat if your on the ocean side of the break wall..?

Tried 2x last year in pursuit of an Opaleye with zero success.
Went with a very experienced Opaleye fisherman.
Aquaholic sees them there while diving
I'm convinced that they are there but inaccessible because of the kelp that is growing there at this time.
I think if I could get on top of the kelp or inside of it, I could catch them
That's why

Oh, I assumed you were fishing for checkers..

I like to hold the float like a shield in front of me and scream like a banshee as I leap off the side of the boat... but that's just me.

Definitely possible. Make sure you stretch before and don't eat 30 minutes prior to leaving the boat....you might be swimming.

MASSfisher wrote:Definitely possible. Make sure you stretch before and don't eat 30 minutes prior to leaving the boat....you might be swimming.

Good tip!
I can imagine that it my be somewhat strenuous to get into the tube and back into the boat.
It might take some flexibility and strength

Maybe theres a way of using the d rings to lower yourself or "back" your self into the water. I can see it being done though.

Do you mean to get in the tube then lower everything into the water?
The D rings will never be able to support that much weight
The tube will be in the water, then I need to get in it without letting it slip out.
That's where I thought a side boom could give me something to hang from

Yea you are right...don't know why i thought of that. I kinda had the image of a harness of some sort in me head. If we saw a pic of the part of the boat you're launching from we might be able to think of a better way...

How bout this..attach some webbed straps to the boat with some velcro, add some snap clips on the other end of the straps that would hook on the d rings on ends of the tube, just to keep it in position, lower your self in the water, grab the straps near the d rings, get seated then pull the straps from the boat, or unhook em from the tube. These wouldn't support a bunch of weight, but would keep your tube in position...?

That's a good idea Hammer
I'll be able to keep the tube in position in back of the swimstep and then lower myself onto the seat while holding onto an anchored rope attached to the boat.
Looks like the boat will become a float tube mothership once in a while.

I think you should just ask Vagabond if you can borrow his Kayak to launch from your boat and fish the kelp paddies, I think if you promise not to drag it on sand or assphault he'd say yes .

Thanks Brian!
Might take you up on that offer

... but I think it will be awesome getting it done on a tube

Easier to transport also

Docrunner wrote:I like to hold the float like a shield in front of me and scream like a banshee as I leap off the side of the boat... but that's just me.

I like this idea. I'm definitely taking my tube on a few spearfishing trips to cat and the islands this year.

I figured once I get tired of spearfishing I can simply jump into the tube and finish the day off that way.

Yeah, I like the idea that you can transport it deflated, then inflate it after getting there

Vagabond wrote:I think you should just ask Vagabond if you can borrow his Kayak to launch from your boat and fish the kelp paddies, I think if you promise not to drag it on sand or assphault he'd say yes .

Ya Brian is a good guy to borrow from...lol

So I checked out the transom and swimstep
It looks like that it will be doable and fairly mishap free if I do things right.
I have a fold down step that I've never had to install
It will be about a foot underwater when folded down
I should be able to stand on the folded down step and sit into the tube that is being held in place by the side D rings
The two pontoons actually fit on the outside of the swimstep
The swimstep is at or just below water level
This might open up some interesting possibilities to my float tubing adventures
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Sound like alot of fun to me. you can always add on to that swim step so it lower in the water to make it even easier for you.


something like this

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Thanks Miller!
Looks good!

no problem but I am sure you can build something to add onto what you already have for way less.
I think what your doing is pretty awesome, I have always thought about doing this over at Cat Island at west cove when I gone over but the fact of GW's at the Island makes it not so great of idea