11-19-2009, 04:36 AM
So I've been coveting a Super Fat Cat tube, but I love my little red hotrod FC4 Dx. Well I finally got a Fat Cat last night, but it's a drab green, old spec one - granted in great shape. Well, I inflated both of them up and placed them side-by-side and started noticing things... Interesting things...
Anyway, in the interest of science and the need to know that my lust is well founded, here's what I found:
Fat Cat:
Tube Diameter: 12.6" (Advertised diameter - 13")
Weight: 11 lbs 6oz (Advertised weight - 12 lbs)
Pocket Volume (not including seatback pocket): 1120 in3
"Trunk" area: 200 in2
Fish Cat IV Deluxe:
Tube Diameter: 13.2" (Advertised diameter - 12"!?)
Weight: 14 lbs 11 oz (Advertised weight - 14 lbs!?)
Pocket Volume: 960 in3 (no seatback pocket
)
"Trunk" area: 150 in2
Soooo...
Based on photos of the new Fat Cats, the pockets on this old one are definitely smaller than the current ones. How much smaller? Maybe 15%? Even with this, not as much difference as I thought...
The tube diameter thing was a surprise though. Can someone verify the tube girth on a new spec? Divide by 3.14159 to get diameter. That's how I got my diameters since it's tough to directly measure this without a good square etc... Based on this, I have got to believe that I'll end up sitting about the same height if not higher in the FC4 and inflatable seat vs. Fat Cat and foam. Even if I shove my air cushions in the old Cat I may sit higher in the FC4. Hmm...
Weight - yes, for SURE I noticed the Fat Cat was lighter. Thing is I think the new vinyl coated fabric is heavier than the stuff used on the old one, and of course there's a bit more of it on the, uh, ta-ta's on the modern one.
Trunk volume still has me jealous. I can fit a set of golf clubs in the Fattie. Barely a small ice chest and a drybag in the FC4 plus fishfinder transducer mast.
After airing up the Fat Cat a few times, I can appreciate the single valve, though the redundant flotation of the pair of bladders is nice. I rarely snag on the Boston valves, but the flush valve on the Fattie is nice.
Sooo... I think I'll stick with the FC4 for now. I've lost a bit of the Fat Cat envy and I'm not sure the extra $150 for a new Fat over Fish is really worth it unless you need the weight capacity. That said, should a mint condition red SFC drop in my lap for a price I can't refuse, well...
Pics:
![[Image: 4115983953_ea542268c3_b.jpg]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/4115983953_ea542268c3_b.jpg)
![[Image: 4115983645_0636784fe7_b.jpg]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2629/4115983645_0636784fe7_b.jpg)
![[Image: 4115983311_4dfc18a11e_b.jpg]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4115983311_4dfc18a11e_b.jpg)
_SHig
[signature]
Anyway, in the interest of science and the need to know that my lust is well founded, here's what I found:
Fat Cat:
Tube Diameter: 12.6" (Advertised diameter - 13")
Weight: 11 lbs 6oz (Advertised weight - 12 lbs)
Pocket Volume (not including seatback pocket): 1120 in3
"Trunk" area: 200 in2
Fish Cat IV Deluxe:
Tube Diameter: 13.2" (Advertised diameter - 12"!?)
Weight: 14 lbs 11 oz (Advertised weight - 14 lbs!?)
Pocket Volume: 960 in3 (no seatback pocket
) "Trunk" area: 150 in2
Soooo...
Based on photos of the new Fat Cats, the pockets on this old one are definitely smaller than the current ones. How much smaller? Maybe 15%? Even with this, not as much difference as I thought...
The tube diameter thing was a surprise though. Can someone verify the tube girth on a new spec? Divide by 3.14159 to get diameter. That's how I got my diameters since it's tough to directly measure this without a good square etc... Based on this, I have got to believe that I'll end up sitting about the same height if not higher in the FC4 and inflatable seat vs. Fat Cat and foam. Even if I shove my air cushions in the old Cat I may sit higher in the FC4. Hmm...
Weight - yes, for SURE I noticed the Fat Cat was lighter. Thing is I think the new vinyl coated fabric is heavier than the stuff used on the old one, and of course there's a bit more of it on the, uh, ta-ta's on the modern one.
Trunk volume still has me jealous. I can fit a set of golf clubs in the Fattie. Barely a small ice chest and a drybag in the FC4 plus fishfinder transducer mast.
After airing up the Fat Cat a few times, I can appreciate the single valve, though the redundant flotation of the pair of bladders is nice. I rarely snag on the Boston valves, but the flush valve on the Fattie is nice.
Sooo... I think I'll stick with the FC4 for now. I've lost a bit of the Fat Cat envy and I'm not sure the extra $150 for a new Fat over Fish is really worth it unless you need the weight capacity. That said, should a mint condition red SFC drop in my lap for a price I can't refuse, well...
Pics:
_SHig
[signature]