02-14-2004, 09:45 PM
[indent][font "Arial"]Float tubes and small ponds were made for each other. Suspended just above the water, propelled by fins, the angler can make a stealth approach towards the shoreline, weed beds, and other structure. The experience is serene and quite relaxing. That is, until you hook into that big one and your adrenalin kicks into high gear. The stories of how "the big one" pulled you in your tube around the pond have a propensity to get more grandiose with each narration. [/font]
[font "Arial"]We've progressed from the simple truck inner tube to much safer and more functional watercraft. Spacious cargo pockets provide storage for all your gear, there's even room to tuck in a sandwich or two. You should look for tubes that have rod holders and stripping aprons for line control. Most tubes are constructed with nylon outer shells and PVC bladders. The better tubes have multiple bladders for additional safety.[/font]
[font "Arial"]When float tubes first became available commercially, they were a bit pricy. Today you can buy a basic design for around $70. That's not a whole lot more that a quality fly line.[/font]
[font "Arial"]The advantage of a float tube is its portability. Deflated they can be carried in a duffle bag or in a back pack. Inflated, most weigh in at less than 10 pounds so they can easily be carried strapped to your back while hiking to remote areas. You might want to consider models that have back packing straps.[/font]
[font "Arial"] Floats tubes come in three styles: [/font] [ul] [li][font "Arial"]"O" shape (Belly Boat)[/font] [li][font "Arial"]"U" shape (U-Boat)[/font] [li][font "Arial"]"V" shape (Kick Boat) [/font] [/li][/ul] [indent]
[font "Arial"][#ff0000]**None of these are recommended for moving water.**[/#ff0000][/font][/indent][/indent]
[font "Arial"]![[Image: bellyboat.jpg]](http://www.buckeyeflyfishers.com/Articles/Float%20Tubes/bellyboat.jpg)
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[font "Arial"]The Belly Boat[/font] [indent]
[font "Arial"]This is the traditional inner tube design in which the fisherman is totally surrounded by the tube. While some feel more secure in this style, exiting the water can be arduous and quite humorous to by-standers. The fisherman is at a di
vantage from several respects. Attempting to climb out of the water with with fins attached to your feet is something better accomplished by amphibious creatures than by homo sapiens. Also the ungainly inner tube around one's waist severely challenges one's sense of balance and coordination departing from the water's edge.[/font][/indent]
[font "Arial"]The U- Boat[/font] [indent]
[font "Arial"]An improvement to the belly boat is the u-boat. This is an open front design which makes entry and exiting a bit more graceful.![[Image: uboat.gif]](http://www.buckeyeflyfishers.com/Articles/Float%20Tubes/uboat.gif)
A safety bar across the front helps contain you within your seat as well as keeping the side bladders from separating under load. [/font]
[font "Arial"]The most common complaint is a sense of imbalance. Depending on how the design of the tube distributes your weight, the watercraft will lean forward giving a sense of falling out. Because there is an open space in front, there is no bladder to offer buoyancy when you reach out to land your fish. It is more of a matter of getting used to the characteristics of your watercraft rather than a safety factor.[/font][/indent]
[font "Arial"]![[Image: kick.jpg]](http://www.buckeyeflyfishers.com/Articles/Float%20Tubes/kick.jpg)
V-Tube (Kick Boat)[/font] [indent]
[font "Arial"]"V" tubes, commonly referred to as kick boats incorporate an open front design with a elevated seat and a V hull which helps it move through the water easier. Seated above the water makes casting a little easier and you stay warmer in colder water. The downside is that you are more susceptible to wind making it more difficult to hold position. A little practice with your fins and it should not be a major problem. The belly boat and the U-boat do offer better back support.[/font][/indent]
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[font "Arial"]We've progressed from the simple truck inner tube to much safer and more functional watercraft. Spacious cargo pockets provide storage for all your gear, there's even room to tuck in a sandwich or two. You should look for tubes that have rod holders and stripping aprons for line control. Most tubes are constructed with nylon outer shells and PVC bladders. The better tubes have multiple bladders for additional safety.[/font]
[font "Arial"]When float tubes first became available commercially, they were a bit pricy. Today you can buy a basic design for around $70. That's not a whole lot more that a quality fly line.[/font]
[font "Arial"]The advantage of a float tube is its portability. Deflated they can be carried in a duffle bag or in a back pack. Inflated, most weigh in at less than 10 pounds so they can easily be carried strapped to your back while hiking to remote areas. You might want to consider models that have back packing straps.[/font]
[font "Arial"] Floats tubes come in three styles: [/font] [ul] [li][font "Arial"]"O" shape (Belly Boat)[/font] [li][font "Arial"]"U" shape (U-Boat)[/font] [li][font "Arial"]"V" shape (Kick Boat) [/font] [/li][/ul] [indent]
[font "Arial"][#ff0000]**None of these are recommended for moving water.**[/#ff0000][/font][/indent][/indent]
[font "Arial"]
[/font] [font "Arial"]The Belly Boat[/font] [indent]
[font "Arial"]This is the traditional inner tube design in which the fisherman is totally surrounded by the tube. While some feel more secure in this style, exiting the water can be arduous and quite humorous to by-standers. The fisherman is at a di
vantage from several respects. Attempting to climb out of the water with with fins attached to your feet is something better accomplished by amphibious creatures than by homo sapiens. Also the ungainly inner tube around one's waist severely challenges one's sense of balance and coordination departing from the water's edge.[/font][/indent] [font "Arial"]The U- Boat[/font] [indent]
[font "Arial"]An improvement to the belly boat is the u-boat. This is an open front design which makes entry and exiting a bit more graceful.
A safety bar across the front helps contain you within your seat as well as keeping the side bladders from separating under load. [/font] [font "Arial"]The most common complaint is a sense of imbalance. Depending on how the design of the tube distributes your weight, the watercraft will lean forward giving a sense of falling out. Because there is an open space in front, there is no bladder to offer buoyancy when you reach out to land your fish. It is more of a matter of getting used to the characteristics of your watercraft rather than a safety factor.[/font][/indent]
[font "Arial"]
V-Tube (Kick Boat)[/font] [indent] [font "Arial"]"V" tubes, commonly referred to as kick boats incorporate an open front design with a elevated seat and a V hull which helps it move through the water easier. Seated above the water makes casting a little easier and you stay warmer in colder water. The downside is that you are more susceptible to wind making it more difficult to hold position. A little practice with your fins and it should not be a major problem. The belly boat and the U-boat do offer better back support.[/font][/indent]
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