Pontoon boats are difficult to handle with even a little wind, and in Texas we usually have a lot of wind. I'll let you try my tube one day if you want to so you can see if you'd like one.

I make A Styrafoam kickboat which sits higher but does'nt catch the wind. I can send a pic to a phone if I have your # if you like to see one.

One nice thing about tubes, it's awful hard to flip one over!

You might try the Fish Cat at Bass Pro. They ride high and have a very tough outer skin. They cost more, but if you are planning on using it more than one time, i would invest the extra money and get the fish cat. I work at BPS fly shop in Garland and have had good replies on these and we have a hard time keeping them in stock. They run 195, but will last you a lot longer. I would suggest coming into the shop and looking and feeling them to get the gist on how they differ.

Stupid ideas but has anyone tried duct tape and swim noodles to make a tube? Or filling the outer covering with closed cell foam or cut up noodles?
OK OK I been watching to much youtube; it was just a thought. It is kind of like the guys making pond boats from foam flotation.

Hey!!! I represent that remark.(Foam Flotation that is)

What do you call it then? Its the foam floatation used in floating docks isn't?

Yes it is and I was just making light of it. Styrofoam. I enjoy fishing off it just like a dock except the dock moves. LOL

I "armored" my Trout unlimited Kennebec which is the 'two straight floats" style pontoon float tube. I used 1/32" polypropylene plastic sheet. I laid in and fixed fitted sheets between the canvas exterior and the interior air bladders I placed them under the 'top deck', like, under the gear bags, and my elbows etc... The thought being, things fail at the user interface. The user interface being the storage bags full of hooks.

Make the plates as wide as the canvas allows when it is flat/deflated. ( 1/2 the bladders circumference )

The large stiff plastic sheet hardware stores sell to place into garbage bags / leaf bags is a great material.

Next up for most likely to puncture areas are the vertical ends of the tubes, especially from errant flies and fins of fighting fish. I think it is not worth the effort though. Probably a proper size small bucket bottoms could work.



But even when I've witnessed a minor hook puncture, ( no deep barb tears) I've only needed to add air every 45 minutes, and I did that for TWO MORE DAY TRIPS. (Lazy !)

Last, the Kennebec has THREE separate bladder. After five years my tired, faded, pushed hard, dragged, well used tube has never let me down.

I just received in my Email inbox a Note from Bass Pro with an offer for $20 of any on-line order of $100 or more.
Might make the jump to a better tube easier.
I have the Fish Cat 4 and it is great!

BPS offer code L8HM.

Just thought I would share the information.