float tube newb and my caddis navigator II

First time out on a tube and I kinda have mixed feelings on it. While I know Im hooked on tubing I'm not sure if its my tube or my first time out that made me think I'm wayyyyy off  in how I was set up.
1) I'm not sure if my tube is super uncomfortable or I inflated it wrong. It seems like most people had fish cat 4's and are sitting really high and are able to lean back. I constantly seemed like i was leaning forward and even sliding forward a lot. My lower back and hips were super sore. I frequent the gym quite often it doesn't seem like I should be that sore.
2) I just sit and not kick, no matter what direction I'm facing I keep slowly spinning to my right side. It didn't seem right.
3) do fish cats cut the water better than my caddis? I look now at the design it seems the FC4 would cut better.
4) the crossbar.... that thing once its in (its super hard to put in once inflated) you can't take it off. That makes entry and exit from the tube crazy hard. Im 6'2 240lbs. With fins on it is actually quite awkward I need to beach myself and squirm out and hope i don't trip into the water.

Anyone have any experience on this or can point a newb in the right direction?

Welcome to the boards. I started on that tube and everything you are mentioning is spot on about the tube.

1) The caddis has an inflatable backrest that is cylinder shaped and bulges too far forward making your back curve with the backrest which is super uncomfortable. Then the "seat" is just a sling that gets pretty damn slippery when wet. Every time I would get sore and try to readjust my body I would almost slide right out of the seat. Tubes like that fish cat, odc420, and the Cumberland have foam seats and adjustable foam back rest that let you adjust how far you lean back. Some tubes even have inflatable seats. I forget which one it is though.

2) The spinning can be caused by either current or wind. You're not kicking but you're still moving due to current/wind and the tubes are designed to move a certain why. If you are sideways it will straighten you out to match. You have to constantly keep kicking in order to maintain position. How hard you have to kick depends on the current/wind.

3) Yes fish cats cut the water better than your caddis. When I had my caddis I would be in the water up to my belly button. With my Cumberland the waterline is right below my kneecap. The fish cat sits about the same height as the Cumberland.

4) No disrespect intended but the difficultness of removing the crossbar has to do with your weight. When you sit in the tube it kind of wants to close like a taco which adds pressure to the crossbar which is trying to prevent the tube from folding like a taco. The more weight in the tube, the more pressure on the crossbar. If you are thinking about upgrading I would recommend with sticking with one of the three tubes I named earlier and pay attention to the weight capacities. For example, the Cumberland has a weight rating of 350. This gives plenty for you, all your gear, and you even have some to spare. For the fins I find it easier to put them on and take them off while sitting on the tube. That way you don't have to worry about tripping with the fins on. If you can't put the fins on while on the tube then the next best thing is to walk backwards with the fins on. This makes it way easier than walking forward.

Hopefully you do a lot better on your next outing!

P.S.
If you post your location or the general area that you like to fish there might be someone in the same area that can show you the ropes.

Lolly bada$$ explanation bro......grewt effn job....chingon G

And welcome to the forum kaiser youll love it here great info......

Tony g

Welcome to the forum.

My suggestion would be to get a different tube, I'd recommend a cumberland or a FC4. They are very stable tubes and glide through the water nicely without much effort. You sit up high so that you get a better kick with the fins. The back rests are adjustable so leaning back is not a problem on these tubes, unlike the Navigator II that does not have any adjustments. If your spinning to one side that means your kicks are not even or your kick motion is wrong. I kick like I'm riding a bike backwards, slowly and effortlessly and it moves me quickly through the water. What kinds of fins are you wearing? Some good fins are Force Fins (a little pricey but worth it) or the Hot Spot fins from Turners, either ones will move you quickly and with less effort. Getting in and out of your tube should be a cinch with either one of the two tubes I recommended above. The foam seat on the Cumberland keeps the tube "open" and makes for easy entrance without even needing the stabalizer bar. Try one of these tubes out and you will find out for yourself that they are the way to go. Hope this makes some sense.

Welcome to the forum. I couldn't said it any better than Lolly or wise did

Thanks guys you validated what I was thinking on the tube. Maybe this tube is just not for me. It seems good if I'm going to be in a small portion of a lake for a little while but its not an all day tube on a decent size lake. I have the caddis step in fins I was trying all kinds of different ways of kicking and some 45 year old lady comes effortlessly floating by me as I'm pedalling pretty hard.. it was bad!

I think I'm going to get the Cumberland before my next outing and a better set of fins.

kaiserslaveray wrote:Thanks guys you validated what I was thinking on the tube. Maybe this tube is just not for me. It seems good if I'm going to be in a small portion of a lake for a little while but its not an all day tube on a decent size lake. I have the caddis step in fins I was trying all kinds of different ways of kicking and some 45 year old lady comes effortlessly floating by me as I'm pedalling pretty hard.. it was bad!

I think I'm going to get the Cumberland before my next outing and a better set of fins.

Excellent choice! Check out one of our sponsors for this site over on the left side of the page, Cover Bonanza, you'll get the best deal around.  As for the fins, look for them used, you'll score sometimes on craigslist or ebay.

I was looking at that!

Now one last question.... What to do with my Caddis?
I guess a backup is always good huh? Would you CL it or keep it as a backup?

Welcome kaiserslaveray looks like these guys took good care of you, I am sure once you get in to the cumberland you are going to see a huge difference. I know my first trip was great but I had a lot of concerns when I was done. Hang in there it only gets better with time.

I sold my caddis the same day I received my cumberland