07-19-2006, 02:48 AM
Chuck,
[cool]Welcome to the forum. You'll get a lot of good advice here - just for the asking.
EA's comments for moving water are spot on.
You'll probably get a lot of opinions on tubes - sometimes based more on what people own themselves than much on the water comparison. I'll give you my opinion - that's all it is.
I've owned two Caddis donuts, one Caddis Nav IV, a FishCat 4, an ODC 420 and a Super Fat Cat. I've liked them in that order (least to greatest) with the SFC the best I've had, in my opinion. There are a lot of tubes I haven't tried. The closest I've done to the Caddis Nevada Gold is the Caddis Nav IV. It was a fine tube but in retrospect, I prefer not to have my torso in the water. The low slung seat was a frustration to me and the Nevada Gold looks like it has the same seat. It was colder in the winter and plowed a lot ofwater when trying to move. I compensated some by placing a square foam boat cushion on the seat, which helped a little, but it tended to slip out from under me. Going to the FC4 and then the ODC 420 brought me out of the water and onto a foam seat, which makes moving through the water a lot easier. My legs get wet only from the knees down. Also sits you higher in the water, which makes spotting fish and casting easier. The pointed bow is also a plus, as is the storage space behind the seat of the FC4, ODC 420, and SFC. The Caddis might do a little better in the wind, as hanging your torso beneath the water would tend resist being blown around a bit more than the pointed craft.
If I had $160 to spend on one of the tubes mentioned above, I'd get either the FC4 ($139) or the ODC 420 ($149). If shipping is necessary that would be extra. Of the two I like the ODC 420 best.
I've used a tube on moving water only a few times (my first experience was on moving water). I have no desire to tube anywhere but on stillwater. Our Northwest rivers are big and wild. You need a river-worthy craft. Perhaps you live around some placid streams, in which case I'll keep still since I don't have that opportunity.
That's my contribution to your research. Listen to what others say, too.
zonker
[signature]
[cool]Welcome to the forum. You'll get a lot of good advice here - just for the asking.
EA's comments for moving water are spot on.
You'll probably get a lot of opinions on tubes - sometimes based more on what people own themselves than much on the water comparison. I'll give you my opinion - that's all it is.
I've owned two Caddis donuts, one Caddis Nav IV, a FishCat 4, an ODC 420 and a Super Fat Cat. I've liked them in that order (least to greatest) with the SFC the best I've had, in my opinion. There are a lot of tubes I haven't tried. The closest I've done to the Caddis Nevada Gold is the Caddis Nav IV. It was a fine tube but in retrospect, I prefer not to have my torso in the water. The low slung seat was a frustration to me and the Nevada Gold looks like it has the same seat. It was colder in the winter and plowed a lot ofwater when trying to move. I compensated some by placing a square foam boat cushion on the seat, which helped a little, but it tended to slip out from under me. Going to the FC4 and then the ODC 420 brought me out of the water and onto a foam seat, which makes moving through the water a lot easier. My legs get wet only from the knees down. Also sits you higher in the water, which makes spotting fish and casting easier. The pointed bow is also a plus, as is the storage space behind the seat of the FC4, ODC 420, and SFC. The Caddis might do a little better in the wind, as hanging your torso beneath the water would tend resist being blown around a bit more than the pointed craft.
If I had $160 to spend on one of the tubes mentioned above, I'd get either the FC4 ($139) or the ODC 420 ($149). If shipping is necessary that would be extra. Of the two I like the ODC 420 best.
I've used a tube on moving water only a few times (my first experience was on moving water). I have no desire to tube anywhere but on stillwater. Our Northwest rivers are big and wild. You need a river-worthy craft. Perhaps you live around some placid streams, in which case I'll keep still since I don't have that opportunity.
That's my contribution to your research. Listen to what others say, too.
zonker
[signature]