12-23-2005, 11:29 AM
[cool][#0000ff]There is no denying that Urethane makes for a better bladder (kinda catchy). Only problem is that few manufacturers provide them standard on their craft, and none that I know of make them available as optional replacements. You have to shop for a tube that provides urethane air chambers, even if it means not getting all the other features and options you want.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The strength of the walls of the urethane bladder is better than most vinyls. But, urethane will split out when overinflated, just like vinyl. And, it is not impervious to holes from fish spines, shoreline stickers, errant hooks, etc. I have had to make several repairs on the urethane bladders in the Fat Cats my wife and I have owned for only two years.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With basic care and caution, almost all bladders will provide several years of safe and reliable use. We have all heard horror stories, but I have never had anything worse than a pinhole leak in any tube I have owned over a half century of tubing. Nor have I ever known anybody who had an air chamber lose air too fast for them to make it to shore...with one exception. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the BFT members in Utah joined us on a walleye flotilla last year. In his excitement to get launched, he did not properly seat and seal the air valve on one side of his Fish Cat. He was a hundred yards from shore when he noticed he was listing to one side. Fortunately, another member with an electric motor on his 'toon hauled the chagrined tuber back to shore before he did a "Poseidon" rollover.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The strength of the walls of the urethane bladder is better than most vinyls. But, urethane will split out when overinflated, just like vinyl. And, it is not impervious to holes from fish spines, shoreline stickers, errant hooks, etc. I have had to make several repairs on the urethane bladders in the Fat Cats my wife and I have owned for only two years.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With basic care and caution, almost all bladders will provide several years of safe and reliable use. We have all heard horror stories, but I have never had anything worse than a pinhole leak in any tube I have owned over a half century of tubing. Nor have I ever known anybody who had an air chamber lose air too fast for them to make it to shore...with one exception. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of the BFT members in Utah joined us on a walleye flotilla last year. In his excitement to get launched, he did not properly seat and seal the air valve on one side of his Fish Cat. He was a hundred yards from shore when he noticed he was listing to one side. Fortunately, another member with an electric motor on his 'toon hauled the chagrined tuber back to shore before he did a "Poseidon" rollover.[/#0000ff]
[signature]