I'm getting my first tube and was wondering what type/Brand is preferred. I'm about 250lbs so was curious about stability. This'll be my first tube and was also curious about accessories, pole holder etc....Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance. Bruinfootballfan!!!
#2099, "RE: Float Tube Brand???" In response to Reply # 0
greeper. I've had a few different tubes and my most recent one is a Bucks Bag Top Gun. The first time I took it out I thought to my myself, dude why the heck didn't I buy this 7 years ago!!! Super super bouyant. And it has adjustable straps in the seat so you can tighten it up to the point where you are really riding high. It is heavier than the bladder type tubes because it uses a truck tire, but I have still carried a mile + on a couple occasions and it's not that bad. They are more expensive than regular tubes, but worth looking at. I would go with a round tube too, especially if you are going to be fishing ocean.
#2101, "RE: Float Tube Brand???" In response to Reply # 2
You might want to check out the Togiak, it is a v shaped that kicks easy and is big so it will hold you fine. I have had mine about a year and a half and really like it. You sit high and it has plenty of pockets. I use it in the salt all the time and I think the V shape helps when punching through surf. I got mine for $119 through Cabelas and I think Sportmart has them for $139. If you search back to last summer on the saltwater board, you can check out photos of me, in the tube with a variety of flatties and seabass.
#2103, "RE: Float Tube Brand???" In response to Reply # 4
The U shape and V shape boats with the open fronts are convenient, but in big surf the front of them can collapse if the bar gets pushed or pulled around. It happend to my buddy Jamon a couple times in his Caddis U-Boat. If you aren't going in the surf, then it's not an issue. Some U-boats are more stable than others too. The tube I was talking about above has a round innertube, but the back of the boat is shaped to make a V so it kinda points through the water. I wouldn't describe it as fast, but it might be a little better than just a regular round tube.
#2104, "RE: Float Tube Brand???" In response to Reply # 5
just talked to a fireman buddy of mine he's gonna let me tryout both his tubes first, one's round the other is V shape, this way I can see what I think. The guy at Turner's swore that someone my size would like the pontoon Caddis, NavII... Bruinfootballfan!!!
#2105, "RE: Float Tube Brand???" In response to Reply # 6
I had the Navigator II. OK boat but I had a hard time getting it inflated enough on the lower pontoons. Kinda saggy for me. That's cool you can try them both out. Have fun tubin, I always enjoy it :)
#2106, "RE: Float Tube Brand???" In response to Reply # 7
found the Bucks Bag Top Gun, how difficult is it getting the fins on, it looks like it has a tight entry, I'm a stocky guy it's a little pricey also, but looks like it'd be a great one to get. Bruinfootballfan!!!
#2107, "RE: Float Tube Brand???" In response to Reply # 8
Swimbait makes a good point about U's and V's being collaspable at the spreader bar. My dad has a caddis and his spreader bar is foam on the inside and is only velcro'ed in place. On my togiak, the bar is made of stiff PVC and is clip locked into place. He has had issues with his but mine is solid.
#2108, "RE: Float Tube Brand??? Waders?" In response to Reply # 9
thanks looks like i'm gonna start off with the togiak and see how it goes thanks guys for the info it definitely helped. I may look into the higher priced brands later.. can't wait to get out there.. Any Preference on WADERS.. Bruinfootballfan!!!