Float Tube Buying Guide | Stillwater Fly Fishing

[@FTOTF1]

Thanks for the overview. This is great information. I have fished out of many of the "floattube" iterations over the years, starting out on a browning doughnut style. One thing that deserves more emphasis is the weight capacity of the user and gear. I have experienced that more weight reduces paddle speed when it gets windy. Many of these tubes will struggle in the Utah afternoon wind, especially if it really kicks up. The Scadden tubes shine well in this area, hence the extra cost....

[@chorizobandito8943]

Believe it or not I taped three fun noodles together and wrote "fishcat" on the outside in sharpie. Ended up catching a 13.5 lb southern mudslide sucker squaw and nearly drowned.

[@carsondyle1793]

I have a WaterMaster..really expensive, but portable and can handle all types of water

[@electrontube]

I just wish I could get the Slash Max Pro, but without the trolling motor on it. And... I wish Dave Scadden had product videos and a website that didn't throw "grandpa just bought a camera and computer" vibes. Seriously though, the super low quality of the website and videos leads me to believe that making boats is a passion project rather than a business, and that doesn't make me feel better about buying a product that has no support for it. And the accessories available? For a set of craft that are super proprietary, there's no way to see if I can upgrade the boats from standard oars to carbon or directional without calling and hoping someone answers a phone. Hell, the specifications aren't even listed on all the boats, some have their weights listed, some don't, some have the weight vaguely hinted at in a product narrative. It's not confidence inspiring.

[@2musiclover534]

I've called a bunch of times, and Scadden answers most the time or always call back. His pontoon floats makes incredible sense but is on the upper end of the $ scale.

[@electrontube]

@@2musiclover534 I'm not talking bad about the product, the Slash is definitely on my short list for alpine lakes. I just wish the video featured more of the product, and maybe with some production value that didn't rival a 2004 video. I mean, is it too much to ask for something that shows how the hard seat attaches? or maybe how to assemble the boat?

[@pecosnick45]

You are way off on the weight limit with the rise. Its 250lbs. Their highest end tube only carries 325lbs for $800. Outcast boats are not fat guy friendly.

[@FlyFishFood]

@@pecosnick45 fat guy here (6’5” 285) Outcast boats loooove me. If you really need something that supports you try the Fish Cat 5 Max.

[@Adam8Fish]

Or I could be a total psycho and fish from an air mattress.