03-11-2010, 05:28 PM
With all due respect to FG's expertise, there is some disagreement by TD and others on this list.
There are discussions in the archives which support the idea that ANY float tube brand is more likely to be safer that a motorboat and much less likely to ever be life threatening. This is because some air pockets will remain to keep you afloat even should one of the pontoons explode, a very unlikely occurence. Also, you will find it difficult to get yourself in a dangerous situation because of the low power- you won't be able to go far from shore. Unless you are foolish and head far offshore alone, without another boat in sight.
I like to get the most bang for the buck, so spending more does not always get you more. Spending less does not always get you less. Consumer reports has numerous examples of merchandise over years of study where some brands with lower retail prices had higher quality than those with higher retail prices. Sometimes you are just paying for a name or snob appeal when you spend more.
With float tubes, you can often get bargains buying used because lots of people upgrade or lose interest quickly and dump at bargain prices. Check Craigs etc.,, (even FG upgrades often) for good prices on quality items where you pay down to pennies on the dollar.
Pon
[quote flygoddess]Don't take this the wrong way, but I know of two people that have OWNED the ODC (one of them has posted here)
The tube has sprung a leak at the seam.
I know allot of people have this tube so it is bound to happen, but I don't recall reading or hearing of the FC4 ever doing this.
The more you can spend, the longer it will last. I bought cheap way back and was lucky I wasn't on the water when it decided to go and it went big time!
We are talking your LIFE here, so please take the advise here and do a little homework.[/quote]
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There are discussions in the archives which support the idea that ANY float tube brand is more likely to be safer that a motorboat and much less likely to ever be life threatening. This is because some air pockets will remain to keep you afloat even should one of the pontoons explode, a very unlikely occurence. Also, you will find it difficult to get yourself in a dangerous situation because of the low power- you won't be able to go far from shore. Unless you are foolish and head far offshore alone, without another boat in sight.
I like to get the most bang for the buck, so spending more does not always get you more. Spending less does not always get you less. Consumer reports has numerous examples of merchandise over years of study where some brands with lower retail prices had higher quality than those with higher retail prices. Sometimes you are just paying for a name or snob appeal when you spend more.
With float tubes, you can often get bargains buying used because lots of people upgrade or lose interest quickly and dump at bargain prices. Check Craigs etc.,, (even FG upgrades often) for good prices on quality items where you pay down to pennies on the dollar.
Pon
[quote flygoddess]Don't take this the wrong way, but I know of two people that have OWNED the ODC (one of them has posted here)
The tube has sprung a leak at the seam.
I know allot of people have this tube so it is bound to happen, but I don't recall reading or hearing of the FC4 ever doing this.
The more you can spend, the longer it will last. I bought cheap way back and was lucky I wasn't on the water when it decided to go and it went big time!
We are talking your LIFE here, so please take the advise here and do a little homework.[/quote]
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