Float tube - seating in or above water?

Hi,
I have a Fish Cat 4, which has a 250 lbs capacity. I am about 215 lbs, so within the limits. With the few times I have used it, I have noticed that at times I am sitting slightly in the water, which makes things chilly over the course of a day of fishing.

I was wondering with other float tubes, such as the Fish Cat 4 deluxe or the Cumberland, do people sit totally above the water (always dry) or are still slightly in?

Thanks
Jason

Hey jason...welcome....I have a deluxe and sit above the water...love it....and way dry if it's glass...if it's choppy...u get water on the seat but that's about it...never in the water...

Lots of Cumberland folks here that will give u Intel on that tube....

Hope this helps other peeps will chime in too

Good luck

Tony g

Welcome jason.seaward I have the cumberland and for me I do get wet. Of course if you have ever used the sling seat time (older tubes) you are much higher and dryer. I am not sure about the Fish Cats but I assume that you do get wet. Now if you are talking getting wet up to your waist then you have a problem but if it is just your seat or mid thigh, welcome to float tubing my friend. Hope that helps and I am sure you will hear more on the subject.

hi,
Thanks for the replies.
I find that I get a bit wet and I am not completely submersed, more like a thin layer of water on my seat at times.
I am new to all this, so was not too sure if this is normal or an indication I need a tube with a higher weight limit.
Thanks!
Jason

jason.seaward wrote:hi,
Thanks for the replies.
I find that I get a bit wet and I am not completely submersed, more like a thin layer of water on my seat at times.
I am new to all this, so was not too sure if this is normal or an indication I need a tube with a higher weight limit.
Thanks!
Jason

I have the Cumberland and I weigh 200 pounds even. That is exactly how I describe it, the seat gets wet, just barely above the water.

I have an outcast fat cat and am a lard ass like Jerdon. ;-) and sits about the same.

I think the only way you are going to keep your butt completely dry is with a pontoon. Even in Prowler's and my Stealth Pro my butt is damp, just due to wave action or paddling forward using the oars. When I go to cold lakes or in the fall or winter up north I take the pontoon.

Give my thoughts as I have a both these water crafts, the Fishcat 4 and a pontoon Fishcat Streamer XL. I weigh in at 195 lbs, on the Fishcat 4 my bottom sometimes gets wet. On the Streamer XL I'm high and dry and very very comfortable. Both fishcats have there place. It's nice to be able to carry the fishcat 4 on your back. The pontoon is not light so it's best used where you don't have a long slog to the water. If the pontoon was light and packable that would be my go fishcat.

Jason i have the Fishcat4 and I also get wet but usually just the bottom of my seat.

I also have a Fish Cat 4 Deluxe like Tony G , and I ride high and dry most of the times of course when its windy your going to take a few waves over the back or side all part of the fun . Also I wanted to chime in on 2 Areas :

1.  When taking in your weight capacity take into account the added weight of such items as Rod Racks , Fish finders and all gear you carry , added with your current weight

2 . Make sure you properly inflate your tubes either it be a Fish cat or a cumberland .. I know the Fishcat will get that Taco Effect in the middle if under inflated , thus causing us to sit lower

Good luck out there and Welcome to the Forums Jason  


Wes

hi everyone!
I am new is the forum and am very impressed of how many people chimed in with their experiences, that is much appreciated!

I have gathered from the posts that my experience with my Fishcat 4 is almost universal, which makes me feel a bit better. I will continue with it and maybe pick up a pontoon in the future, as it seems to have its application for certain conditions.

I also found some cool Fishcat 4 ideas of what people had done to deal with the taco effect, which might have an impact on my wet butt experience.

Thanks!
Jason

Jason.seaward glad we could help you out, Float tubing should be about having fun and we can help but the ???'s aside so you can just get out there and fish then we have done our job. Glad you found us and now get out there and fish, don't forget to post your fish porn and reports.

lol, I wish I could post something from today, however, I live in the frosty north (Canada) and the only use I would have for my float tube today is sliding down hills!