The FLTB-9 it does exsist

So over a year ago there was talk surfacing aboit this new Hybrid boat.  The FLTB-9 is produced by Caperlan out of France and is for real.  I will be reaching out to see if I can get more information in this boat for you guys.
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Been waiting for this forever. Hope it’s real and we see something soon.

I see it doesn’t have pockets for an apron or tray.
Thank you for sharing with us.

SP Dan <“))><

BigMaxFloats wrote:Been waiting for this forever.  Hope it’s real and we see something soon.  

Yep me too so they are selling it in France and I have a contact so I will be doing some research soon.

Looks like the Tube is under $600 that is not to bad. Plus the size is pretty cool check this image out.
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Norbert got one to review. But he’s in Europe.

BigMaxFloats wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Norbert got one to review. But he’s in Europe.

Ya he got his almost a year ago and said that Caperlan said Nov. 9th is go time for talking about it and sharing about.

Ok just got word from Decathlon that the FLTB-9 will be sold in the US. We have to wait till 2024 but it's coming.

Bummer....over a year away from the USA? I wonder if they would ship early to the US if we paid the shipping? By June of next year I will probably be ready and this looks awesome! Do you happen to know the weight capacity on this?

I am not sure if they will ship now I don't see why not if you are willing to pay shipping. Weight capacity I don't know either but I will reach out and see what I can find.

Best to luck to you on your proposed purchase on a great looking float tube!
Exciting!!

SP Dan <“))><

This item was delivered to my home on Tuesday of this week.  I was watching the Decathlon website for the U.K and it noted that a few were available for on-line ordering.  So I ordered it.  It had to be delivered to a U.K. address, so I found a shipping agent called Colis Expat, which allowed me to choose a European delivery address, which they promised would be forwarded to my home address in Southern Illinois.  Both Decathlon and Colis kept me reasonably updated on the status of shipping, and about two weeks after I ordered it, the box showed up at my front door.  This is the first time I've ever been so international, so I was sweating for a few days.  But as promised, the carton with the new float tube its in my living room, waiting for me to get the time to unpack it.

The several European decathlon websites, and You Tube, show a motor made for this model.  However, none of the decathlon websites show this accessory as being available.

johnsamuel that is great news so excited for you. We need to know more. Once you have it up and inflated. Let us know what you think. Congrats on your new tube and pretty cool how you got it.

I emailed Decathlon a while back and they said they’d be 2024 for the fltb9 to come to the US so I went down another path.  Glad you were able to find a work around to get one to the States. It looks amazing and can’t wait to see a report. I too have a new tube coming from Europe and understand the dance you have to do. I should have it next week and I’ll be posting up a review and how I went through the process . Congrats to you on your new ride and send pics and reports soon.

Ya guys let's let Europe know we are watching that there is a market here. This is great guys just great.

I unpacked the fltb-9 last night.  I’m happy with the quality and impressed with the design, except the backpack strap is not intuitive, so I need to work on that.  I may have also installed the seat backwards.  But it was getting late and I don’t read French or German. Unlike the ones in the YouTube video, the float tube did not come with a pump.  The inflation valves are proprietary and forcing air through a reversed shop vac hose doesn’t really do the trick. Suffice it to say it appears a bit pathetic when not turgid. I’m including no pictures. The storage bags attach securely and should hold conveniently the stuff you need for one sitting. I am also impressed with the carry bag, which seems well-made and sized generously enough to pack the deflated float tube plus assorted items, maintaining the prospect that the fishing excursion could be one-person, one-trip from and to your car.
Locomotion is by flippers, or you can install a special motor on the underside.  Both of these accessories are available on the domestic market, although they are not manufactured by Decathlon.  I would also like to find a pump with a nozzle that mates so I can avoid the tier one pricing of Decathlon, and the tier one hassle of international mail order.
Notwithstanding my petty griping, I’m truly looking forward to visiting some fishing holes not accessible by boat or bank.

Take my money......

I also want extra seats to try and make work with my other tubes [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Hey so glad you are happy so far with it. Also sorry it did not come with a pump that is kind of odd. Can I ask what kind of valve does it have? I am sure we can figure something out to help you.

johnsamuel wrote: the float tube did not come with a pump.  The inflation valves are proprietary and forcing air through a reversed shop vac hose doesn’t really do the trick. Suffice it to say it appears a bit pathetic when not turgid.


 I would also like to find a pump with a nozzle that mates so I can avoid the tier one pricing of Decathlon, and the tier one hassle of international mail order.

Did you ever find a pump?

Looks like the one they want you to use the Kayak Kitesurf & Camping Double Action Hand Pump w/ Gauge Max 10PSI, which you can find on the US Dot COM site

I had hoped to suffer the indignities of the maiden voyage without an audience. Unfortunately, all the campers and fishermen at devil’s kitchen  lake in Southern Illinois wanted to see the newfangled float tube. When I lamented not having a bottle of champagne to properly christen the launch, one lady helpfully offered “we have some wine.”

The whole setup works as expected. The flippers are decent locomotion, but the fancy underside electric motors would be a welcome addition. Especially if there’s a breeze. The structural chair is really the defining feature of this item. It provides true back support.

johnsamuel wrote:I had hoped to suffer the indignities of the maiden voyage without an audience. Unfortunately, all the campers and fishermen at devil’s kitchen  lake in Southern Illinois wanted to see the newfangled float tube. When I lamented not having a bottle of champagne to properly christen the launch, one lady helpfully offered “we have some wine.”

The whole setup works as expected. The flippers are decent locomotion, but the fancy underside electric motors would be a welcome addition. Especially if there’s a breeze. The structural chair is really the defining feature of this item. It provides true back support.

That is great glad it's working out for you so well. Also great to hear that the seat is so great. I agree that was one thing that caught my eye off the bat. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.

What is the price tag on this float tube?
Thank you.

SP Dan <“))><

I decided to pull the trigger on the FLTB 9. Took a bit, but I got one to WA. Here's my video on it so far.

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bigfanboy wrote:I decided to pull the trigger on the FLTB 9. Took a bit, but I got one to WA. Here's my video on it so far.

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Hey that was a great review thank you so much for all that info. The seat does look to be to close to the front did you ever figure another way to manage that. Over all it looks like another great boat by Caperlan.

Buonasera a tutti , io ho acquistato il nuovo FLTB-9 la primavera scorsa quì a Milano (IT) , completo di motore originale e di tutti gli accessori ad ok .
Trovo la seduta molto  comoda , le nuove borse bakkan sono modulabili a piacimento anche se non molto spaziose , il deck posteriore è incredibilmente spazioso .  
Il motore FLTB-MTR spinge veramente forte , 34lb , ti fa dimenticare di essere solo un belly boat .
Concludo dicendo che è un ottimo acquisto , non economico ma che si ripaga da solo con le prime uscite a pesca
Un saluto a tutti
ps avrei allegato almeno una foto ma non ci sono riuscito   [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]