New Tube CAPERLAN FLTB-5

Ok so this is not a new tube but it is kind of new to us here on the forum. I was offered an opportunity from CAPERLAND was to test and review there FLTB-5 Float Tube.
This is a back to the basics tube that is better than the basic tube. I should be receiving this tube in the next month if all goes well. What do you guys think does it look like a good ride or will it fall short. What are your thoughts.

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I think the seat design is interesting. The contoured leg areas may be more comfortable. I like the built in ruler on the apron. The storage system looks versatile. I am very interested in how it performs.

Yep there are some interesting ideas in this tube. I am excited to get it I hope sooner then later.

I am liking it so far.
The storage solution looks great. I look forward to some fish catching reports.

What are the specs on this beauty? $?

I believe $250 and all the specs are in our current magazine issue.

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Thanks for sharing! Love the mag!

It's a nice float at the right price (my opinion). After 1 year on the water (at least 4 days in a month) I like the product, the only thing I would still need would be the possibility to add oars. For a calmer river where I moved, and comming from a Cumberland that my wife is still using.
Still, I don't know how the fabric will resists over time if I glue or just atache those oars holders to it?
Maybe someone will give me their opinion ...

Nicugoalkeper, U prefer the Caperlan over the Cumberland? And for what particular performance characteristics?

'Nicu' as in 'Neonatal Intensive Care Unit'? Funny unrelated story. My won was born early and was in NICU at birth. When he was about five, he overheard friends talking about being graduates of MIT and UCLA. He piped up, 'I graduated from NICU.'

Nice story
And yes i like the Caperlan more, i hope it will last at least as much as the Cumberland.
My reasoning of changing from one to another:
First was the fact that I needed more space, so the 3 boxes where nice (FLTB-5) but i added the big box in the back an i got another medium and small box just so i have more space, now i only use the big box at the back, and one big box, one medium and 2 small ones. What is nice that i can put in one of my small boxex a second phone for my Deeper and I leave the lid open so I can see it. (no sun light in there so easy to view). The boxes can be arranged as desired, another thing I like.
The second thing is that it is very easy to get off the float and back on, i do this alot on river. And the net has a quick release sistem if you need to get out of the float quickly.
It has more rings to attach something to them, 2 more inside on each tube.
And I love the inflatable seat. Plus I didn't want to invest much in it.
But I still need oars for a more speed at the moment I use a double paddle for kayaks but mounted ones are the best. I don't need a motor because I want more exercise.
Beside the oars that I need, I only hated one thing, the fact that water enters under the seat chamber (very few, but it does sometimes). I was afraid that some small pieces of wood that float in the water will get there and puncture it. But I fixed that using a foam foil of 5mm under the chamber. Now all the all impurities are stoped in the foam so I just take out the foil and clean it under a shower once every 10 or so outings on water.
Still the Cumberland is a nice float tube so after 5 year on it I still love it, but my wife started fishing so I said I'd buy something else and util now I like it.

Thank you for the extended explanation. You gave me the data that I needed.  Much appreciated.

nicugoalkeper wrote:Nice story
And yes i like the Caperlan more, i hope it will last at least as much as the Cumberland.
My reasoning of changing from one to another:
First was the fact that I needed more space, so the 3 boxes where nice (FLTB-5) but i added the big box in the back an i got another medium and small box just so i have more space, now i only use the big box at the back, and one big box, one medium and 2 small ones. What is nice that i can put in one of my small boxex a second phone for my Deeper and I leave the lid open so I can see it. (no sun light in there so easy to view). The boxes can be arranged as desired, another thing I like.
The second thing is that it is very easy to get off the float and back on, i do this alot on river. And the net has a quick release sistem if you need to get out of the float quickly.
It has more rings to attach something to them, 2 more inside on each tube.
And I love the inflatable seat. Plus I didn't want to invest much in it.
But I still need oars for a more speed at the moment I use a double paddle for kayaks but mounted ones are the best. I don't need a motor because I want more exercise.
Beside the oars that I need, I only hated one thing, the fact that water enters under the seat chamber (very few, but it does sometimes). I was afraid that some small pieces of wood that float in the water will get there and puncture it. But I fixed that using a foam foil of 5mm under the chamber. Now all the all impurities are stoped in the foam so I just take out the foil and clean it under a shower once every 10 or so outings on water.
Still the Cumberland is a nice float tube so after 5 year on it I still love it, but my wife started fishing so I said I'd buy something else and util now I like it.

That is a great write up thanks for sharing this. I am very interested to get the FLTB-5 in my hands and test it out soon. The supply chain is not cooperating very well right now LOL.
I will look in to the sit issue you described as well.

As for the seat problem, I don't know if it's a big problem if you don't get out of it often during fishing (you can clean under the seat chamber after a day), but if you get out often then there's a good chance you'll get up from the chair and under the seat chamber between bottom and chamber you will have some water (form the lake or river) and in it you can find different small pieces of wood that will press again the chamber and the bottom of the float. Even if the float tube has two holes for the water to drain, the debris can still remain there. If the seat would have been made out of foam, then no problems at all (maybe the wanted it that way in the beginning).

Ya I have used the foam seat with the Cumberland for years and just recently started using an inflatable seat. Of course the inflatable seats I am using now are PVC seats very tough material. I to am wondering what I think of the seat the FLTB-5 works for me.
Your concerns of there site I think are well founded and you may have a good fix to this. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

Looks like it's only available on eBay? $200 + $100 shipping. Too new to get it yet?

Schalleymeister wrote:Looks like it's only available on eBay?  $200 + $100 shipping.  Too new to get it yet?

It is also sold at Decathlon but they are out as well. I have a connection so I will see if they know when they will be in. I was told it should late April we are there and still nothing.

From my experience whit Dechatlon, I so that it works to go on the product page and to add the email there for notification when in stock and after 1-2 days  send an email to them and ask about a product. It seems to speed up things .

nicugoalkeper wrote:From my experience whit Dechatlon, I so that it works to go on the product page and to add the email there for notification when in stock and after 1-2 days  send an email to them and ask about a product. It seems to speed up things .

Thanks for the heads up unfortunately I am direct contact with the creator of the product. Right now it about a lack of supplies. I am in contact monthly right now and it should be available sooner the later I hope.