03-18-2010, 01:26 PM
[cool][#0000ff]We have had a few posts and inquiries recently on the Creek Company ODC 420L. It is the lighter version of the popular heavier model but nobody has really posted a definitive review of what makes it lighter and whether or not it is REALLY a good deal at some of the great prices that are being offered.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Utah BFTer Orvis1 just bought one of them and brought it over for some help in getting it tricked out with PVC. I gave it a good once over and took a bunch of pics as I prettied it up. Hope this helps those who have either bought one or are considering it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. Size: Bigger than a FC4. Pretty close in size to my Fat Cat when side by side. A longer nose than the FC4 but slightly shorter than the Fat Cat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]2. Cover: A lighter weight nylon, with flimsy zippers. Likely to be some zipper failure after a period of use...especially if you cram too much in the pockets. No protective PVC coating on the bottom of the air chambers. Reduces weight but increases potential for leaks from pulling tube across terrain or setting down on sharp points. As long as the owner is careful it is a good tradeoff if the tube is being used for backpacking. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]3. Air bladders (2): A fairly thick guage opaque PVC bladder...heat welded seams. They look a lot studier than the "kiddie toy" vinyl bladders in some tubes. Modern heat welding techniques are much better than in the past.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]4. Valves: Two part Boston Valves. They can be touchy to seat properly and can lose air if not seated right before launching. Also, the valves are inside the main pockets. Although they are well covered, they are hard to get to and can reduce pocket space.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]5. Apron: Mesh, with velcro straps and pads for attaching to D rings at the rear and velcro patches on top of the tube at the front. Better than the "modern" aprons on Outcast products but still wimpy.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]6. Pockets: The large main pocket is actually divided up into several pockets. The main pocket is large enough for two or three 5" X 9" compartmented tackle boxes...but nothing larger. There are two zippered pockets on the front and back of the main pocket. These are large enough to handle a 4 amp/hr battery but nothing bigger. Good for holding a drink, bait container, etc. Then there are two thin zippered pockets on the outside of each main pocket. Okay for fly tanglers, for fly boxes, leaders, etc., but not practical for lure chuckers. Again, the zippers are very light weight nylon material that will surely not hold up to heavy use over time.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]7. Seats: Rigid foam bottom and back. Should provide a high ride with at least decent comfort factor. As always, adjustment is vital.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]BOTTOM LINE: These are excellent value tubes for newbie tubers or those who need the best they can buy on a budget. There are some sacrifices in the quality and durability of materials but overall the size, features and load capacity of the tube makes it well worth the money...and especially with some of the smokin' deals online.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are some pictures of the latest concepts in tube trickin'. Notice the incorporation of a transducer mount on the rod rack. This saves having to add a wood block to secure the sonar mount and transducer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also proud of the combo rod utility rack, tool rack and net holder for the opposite side of the tube. [/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Utah BFTer Orvis1 just bought one of them and brought it over for some help in getting it tricked out with PVC. I gave it a good once over and took a bunch of pics as I prettied it up. Hope this helps those who have either bought one or are considering it.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]1. Size: Bigger than a FC4. Pretty close in size to my Fat Cat when side by side. A longer nose than the FC4 but slightly shorter than the Fat Cat.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2. Cover: A lighter weight nylon, with flimsy zippers. Likely to be some zipper failure after a period of use...especially if you cram too much in the pockets. No protective PVC coating on the bottom of the air chambers. Reduces weight but increases potential for leaks from pulling tube across terrain or setting down on sharp points. As long as the owner is careful it is a good tradeoff if the tube is being used for backpacking. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]3. Air bladders (2): A fairly thick guage opaque PVC bladder...heat welded seams. They look a lot studier than the "kiddie toy" vinyl bladders in some tubes. Modern heat welding techniques are much better than in the past.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]4. Valves: Two part Boston Valves. They can be touchy to seat properly and can lose air if not seated right before launching. Also, the valves are inside the main pockets. Although they are well covered, they are hard to get to and can reduce pocket space.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]5. Apron: Mesh, with velcro straps and pads for attaching to D rings at the rear and velcro patches on top of the tube at the front. Better than the "modern" aprons on Outcast products but still wimpy.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]6. Pockets: The large main pocket is actually divided up into several pockets. The main pocket is large enough for two or three 5" X 9" compartmented tackle boxes...but nothing larger. There are two zippered pockets on the front and back of the main pocket. These are large enough to handle a 4 amp/hr battery but nothing bigger. Good for holding a drink, bait container, etc. Then there are two thin zippered pockets on the outside of each main pocket. Okay for fly tanglers, for fly boxes, leaders, etc., but not practical for lure chuckers. Again, the zippers are very light weight nylon material that will surely not hold up to heavy use over time.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]7. Seats: Rigid foam bottom and back. Should provide a high ride with at least decent comfort factor. As always, adjustment is vital.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]BOTTOM LINE: These are excellent value tubes for newbie tubers or those who need the best they can buy on a budget. There are some sacrifices in the quality and durability of materials but overall the size, features and load capacity of the tube makes it well worth the money...and especially with some of the smokin' deals online.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Here are some pictures of the latest concepts in tube trickin'. Notice the incorporation of a transducer mount on the rod rack. This saves having to add a wood block to secure the sonar mount and transducer.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Also proud of the combo rod utility rack, tool rack and net holder for the opposite side of the tube. [/#0000ff]
[signature]