Yeah. Let me know how that goes, lol!

Hey, Porta. After flip-flopping back and forth about this tube investment, I have decided on the ODC-420. I'll have to wait a little longer to get it but I think it will be worth it. Can you tell me a little more about it? Your likes and dislikes?

Thanks

Likes: lowest cost inflatable seat "V" if you catch it on special sale at Creek Company website- Got mine lite version for $149 6 mo. ago and the combo package has been as low as $179 since.

Can control height and comfort with inflatable seat model, but not with foam seat model

Cuts thru waves and keeps your upper back drier and is easier to propel with the sharp "V"

Wet storage behind seat and high weight capacity for ice chest, manual pumps, fins, some have even used as an electric motor/battery compartment

Second lightest "V" tube is easily packable.

Good on storage pockets for tackle

Fast drying, can be put inside a hatchback car within minutes

Fast to set up once the initial assembly done.

Optional back straps allow carrying for miles inflated


Dislikes: Valves inside storage pockets

Need special guage to tell exact pressure if you don't know how to judge

Don't like boston type valves

Debris can work into lower seat area and should be rinsed out to cut chafing of lower seat bladder every so often.

There may be other things that I have forgotton at the moment.

P

Man, I love the boston valves.

I like hawkley valves which are used in the top line inflatable rafts. They inflate a full size raft in around a minute with an electric inflator and you don't even have to worry about over or under inflation with a good electric pump set up right, just unhook the adapter while still running and you are there. You can also use a manual pump for hawkley, just like in bostons, but it takes longer to inflate than by electric. Deflation is just as fast as bostons, simply by pushing and rotating the internal pin to deflate position. You have to unscrew bostons for quick deflation and if you happen to cross thread putting them back or not tighten securely, you will go flat...

You know my feelings,- to each his own, so nothing wrong with liking bostons. Curious as to why u like bostons, if you care to elaborate? I know they are better than the simple plug type on air mattresses.....

P

I don't have experience with top of the line inflatable rafts but they beat the heck out of anything else I've used on inflatables. I use an electric pump on my boston valves but I do have to top them off manually. I love the one way inflation and I like being able to unscrew them to deflate. They just work really well for me.

The Halkey looks more like what I've got on the smaller pontoon and its a race every time I use it to seal those off when I get through pumping. While it may work great with a good adaptor (I don't have one), the boston works with universal pump adapters because there is no center spring to push in.

Just my $02.

OK, I flipped again! I think since this is my first tube, I want to go with the cheaper White River model at BPS. I figure once I get good at the maneuvering and get some good milage out of the tube, I can upgrade to more of a pontoon style float.

Sorry I am so wishy washy, lol!

You're better off going with a pontoon to begin with imo if you plan to do anything but jig.

I finally figured out after years of trial and error to get what you really want the first time! It's usually less expensive in the long run and you will be happier with your purchase.

Good advice. Any recommendations? Keep in mind I can't go out and drop $1000 on a float tube.
My wife would kill me.

stripertenlbs - not sure where you are located - but I have 3 tubes and I would be glad to let you borrow them to see what you might like.
I have a Fish Cat 4, a Creek Company U-Boat 2000, and a Togiak (yellow). I live in the Ft Worth area - this offer is for anyone who would like to try a float tube.
They are not for sale - just offering in case someone would like to give it a try.

That's a great offer! Try before you buy!

Yeah. That sounds great. Right now, I have the fins and a pump. Both are still in the box and are destined for BPS for return. I might have to try w/o the fins. I don't want to use the fins and not be able to return them. I will take you up on that offer, though. I live in Carrollton. Just PM me and let me know when it's a good time for you. Thanks

Check this out! First of all, I took the fins and pump back to BPS. Once again, I flipped and have decided on the fish cat 4. I can get it from BPS for about the same price as the other tube. Only problem is the tube came with fins and pump. The fc4 does not. Can someone please tell me the difference between the fc4 and the fc4 LCS?

They have 2 fish cat versions of the lcs. the fc4 lcs,annd fc4 lcs deluxe. The deluxe has an inflatable seat and backrest. I opted for the regular with foam seat and back rest. The 420 with the fins and pump sounds like a great deal. Just don't know anything about the quality of the fins. IMO the 420 and the fc4 are very comparable. It boils down to how much you want to spend. It sounds like you want the 420. Nothing wrong with taking your time and returning products you aren't sure about! I know there are too many options these days! lol Just get what you want and can afford!