11-26-2005, 12:43 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Thanks for the input. Sounds like you are conducting some serious research. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One comment on the SFC inflated seat. You experienced "squeeze" when you sat on it. I suspect that it was not fully inflated, or inflated properly. I had to work with mine a bit to get the system down "Pat". To make it work right, I had to use the air pump to get max firmness, rather than just lung power. I also had to air up the bottom part of the seat before inflating the side air chambers. That created enough rigidity to keep the two sides from collapsing inward when I sat on it. However, it made the seat hard enough that I might as well of had the rigid foam seats...for less money.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That potential problem becomes a real problem whenever you develop a leak in the lower part of the seat. When it softens, the two sides of the SFC definitely squeeze in and you sit lower in the water. And, by keeping the lower seat maxed out in air, you increase the problems with seam failure on that air chamber. I know. I have had to repair pinhole leaks on almost every end seam, for each contour ridge on the inflated seat. So far, that is about eight. That means that at least 8 trips were shortened because I had to return to shore with a saggy seat. I would never have another inflated seat on my tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am surprised (not really) by your observation of the "lesser" quality of manufacture on the Creek craft (in comparison to Outcast). Their ODC line of pontoons is not their premier line either. However, if you only use a craft for a couple of years, and it holds up well for that time, then it is a good value indeed. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am strongly considering acquiring (adopting) one myself, just to put it through the official "TubeDude Test".[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One comment on the SFC inflated seat. You experienced "squeeze" when you sat on it. I suspect that it was not fully inflated, or inflated properly. I had to work with mine a bit to get the system down "Pat". To make it work right, I had to use the air pump to get max firmness, rather than just lung power. I also had to air up the bottom part of the seat before inflating the side air chambers. That created enough rigidity to keep the two sides from collapsing inward when I sat on it. However, it made the seat hard enough that I might as well of had the rigid foam seats...for less money.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That potential problem becomes a real problem whenever you develop a leak in the lower part of the seat. When it softens, the two sides of the SFC definitely squeeze in and you sit lower in the water. And, by keeping the lower seat maxed out in air, you increase the problems with seam failure on that air chamber. I know. I have had to repair pinhole leaks on almost every end seam, for each contour ridge on the inflated seat. So far, that is about eight. That means that at least 8 trips were shortened because I had to return to shore with a saggy seat. I would never have another inflated seat on my tube.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I am surprised (not really) by your observation of the "lesser" quality of manufacture on the Creek craft (in comparison to Outcast). Their ODC line of pontoons is not their premier line either. However, if you only use a craft for a couple of years, and it holds up well for that time, then it is a good value indeed. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I am strongly considering acquiring (adopting) one myself, just to put it through the official "TubeDude Test".[/#0000ff]
[signature]