03-08-2007, 05:38 AM
[reply]
Final question (yea, right!), when deflated how large are these tubes? I need to fit any tube and associated gear that I purchase into an “old school” external frame backpack. This is an absolute deal breaker. The packed dimensions of the ODC seem doable at 22x19x12. Is the Fat Cat similar? [/reply]
Something to consider...
Both the ODC 420 and the regular Fat Cat have foam insert seats. These foam blocks take up additional space beyond the rolled up bladder(s) and shell. In fact, I have my ODC 420 in a large Outcast boat bag which is the only thing I could find at the time that would accomodate the additional foam blocks. It seems doubtful to me that you'll be able to get either of these tubes into a frame type backpack. The foam blocks are too large, clumsy, and bulky.
Seems to me what you need is either a Super Fat Cat or a Fish Cat 4 Deluxe. Both have inflatable seats that roll up with the rest of the tube. These fit in reasonably small spaces and might fit into your backpack. I know you implied that the SFC is above your price range so scratch that one. You hadn't mentioned the Fish Cat 4 Deluxe in your posts. I've seen them in shops and they're very nice. They are basically a Fish Cat 4 with an inflatable seat. I think they run around $179-189 which is $40-50 more than a plain Fish Cat 4.
Again, if you need to get it into a backpack, don't go with a tube with foam seats.
z~
P.S. You can carry your tube fully inflated with backpack type straps. Outcast sells these and I think they would work with the ODC 420.
[signature]
Final question (yea, right!), when deflated how large are these tubes? I need to fit any tube and associated gear that I purchase into an “old school” external frame backpack. This is an absolute deal breaker. The packed dimensions of the ODC seem doable at 22x19x12. Is the Fat Cat similar? [/reply]
Something to consider...
Both the ODC 420 and the regular Fat Cat have foam insert seats. These foam blocks take up additional space beyond the rolled up bladder(s) and shell. In fact, I have my ODC 420 in a large Outcast boat bag which is the only thing I could find at the time that would accomodate the additional foam blocks. It seems doubtful to me that you'll be able to get either of these tubes into a frame type backpack. The foam blocks are too large, clumsy, and bulky.
Seems to me what you need is either a Super Fat Cat or a Fish Cat 4 Deluxe. Both have inflatable seats that roll up with the rest of the tube. These fit in reasonably small spaces and might fit into your backpack. I know you implied that the SFC is above your price range so scratch that one. You hadn't mentioned the Fish Cat 4 Deluxe in your posts. I've seen them in shops and they're very nice. They are basically a Fish Cat 4 with an inflatable seat. I think they run around $179-189 which is $40-50 more than a plain Fish Cat 4.
Again, if you need to get it into a backpack, don't go with a tube with foam seats.
z~
P.S. You can carry your tube fully inflated with backpack type straps. Outcast sells these and I think they would work with the ODC 420.
[signature]