05-26-2008, 09:00 AM
It isn't a good idea, and there are dangers which follow from using a tube in flowing water.
A guy drowned last year doing that quite close to some friends.
The problems are overhanging branches, branches under the water, lack of speed relative to the water's current speed, and part of the tube projects under the water. A more rock solid center of gravity is also desirable.
To minimise the design di
vantages of a tube in moving water you have to get the gear up out of the water, widen the sponson "footprint" and increase speed. A pontoon for example.
The conventional float tube that closest approximates these features is the one more suitable, or should I put it "least unsuitable". This means a Vee tube, of shallow draught - a high ride, of oversize dimensions, with no crossbar or crotch strap so easy exit is possible.
A H3 is nearest IMHO.
I have myself tubed and do tube in slow moving water of canal like non-turbulent character, and I'm happy to do that. Going upstream is possible in my vee tube (a Bullet) in these places, if I could not fin against the current with some to spare, I would not launch a tube in that location.
The recent thread [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Float_Tube_Fishing_C66/Float_Tubing_General_F81/Irish_Lough_Piking_-_Tubing_P414922/"][#212126]Irish Lough Piking - Tubing[/#212126][/url] shows myself and a friend launching into a small stream to get into a lake surrounded by reeds, which has no bank or boat access.
Have a look at the getting in photos and video clip (approx 9 - 10 posts down), notice the steeper sides that moving water cuts in the bank and the special difficulty it poses. So you have to have your entry and exit location pre-planned, unlike an open lakeshore the "average" spot is often unsuitable and you usually can't just "walk the tube out".
I hope this helps answer your question.
[signature]
A guy drowned last year doing that quite close to some friends.
The problems are overhanging branches, branches under the water, lack of speed relative to the water's current speed, and part of the tube projects under the water. A more rock solid center of gravity is also desirable.
To minimise the design di
vantages of a tube in moving water you have to get the gear up out of the water, widen the sponson "footprint" and increase speed. A pontoon for example. The conventional float tube that closest approximates these features is the one more suitable, or should I put it "least unsuitable". This means a Vee tube, of shallow draught - a high ride, of oversize dimensions, with no crossbar or crotch strap so easy exit is possible.
A H3 is nearest IMHO.
I have myself tubed and do tube in slow moving water of canal like non-turbulent character, and I'm happy to do that. Going upstream is possible in my vee tube (a Bullet) in these places, if I could not fin against the current with some to spare, I would not launch a tube in that location.
The recent thread [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Float_Tube_Fishing_C66/Float_Tubing_General_F81/Irish_Lough_Piking_-_Tubing_P414922/"][#212126]Irish Lough Piking - Tubing[/#212126][/url] shows myself and a friend launching into a small stream to get into a lake surrounded by reeds, which has no bank or boat access.
Have a look at the getting in photos and video clip (approx 9 - 10 posts down), notice the steeper sides that moving water cuts in the bank and the special difficulty it poses. So you have to have your entry and exit location pre-planned, unlike an open lakeshore the "average" spot is often unsuitable and you usually can't just "walk the tube out".
I hope this helps answer your question.
[signature]