Has anyone tried the new Dave Scadden H3 Freestyle pontoon/float tube?..Maybe they should call it a pontube…I’ve been thinking about selling boats and switching to fossil fuel, (An old fossil kicking a tube around).
Several of us on the board have H3’s. Great craft, and they should be for the price.
Let me know if you want one. I am selling one soon. Went back to the Super Fat Cat.
By the way, it is not an “all or nothing” thing. It is legal to own BOTH a tube and a boat. If you sell one to get the other there will be times you regret it.
I fish from an old Bucks Bag tube. It must be 25-30 years old. You’re not a real tube dude until you can get up and pee from your tube in rough water.[pirate] I am going to look for a new tube this year. I’ll check out Daves’ new tubes. Most of the newer ones sit real high, and get blown around. I like to sit low and not worry so much about the wind.
**There are advantages and disadvantages of all designs. I have tubed for over 50 years and have gone through a lot of tubes. In the early years, the “round boat” was all that was available. These days few “serious” tubers buy them. They are a lot more trouble to get in and out of, and they keep more of your body below the water line. That lowers your casting “platform” and chills you faster in cold water. **
You mention less wind resistance. True, you do not get blown across the water as much while sitting low in a donut, but that extra drag is also a factor when you “motate”. You have to kick more to get from point A to point B.
With the newer open front and pointed “back” on many of the new designs, you can kick against the wind very efficiently, when trying to get back to shore in a breeze. And, when it is calm, you get much more efficient propulsion by moving your high floating craft across the top of the water rather than plowing through the water with a donut.
Besides helping you to keep warmer in cold water, the high riding tubes make for better casting and lure/fly control too. It is surprising how much difference you will notice in fishing just a few inches higher. And, your arms rest at a more natural angle, instead of being stuck outward all day. You are not nearly as beat up after a long day on the water.
But, “Every one to their own tastes” said the old maid as she kissed the cow.
I have it, and fished all last year form it and love it.
I still have one. It is the best tube on the market today. USA made and a payload untouched.
It is 6’ Long and a lot of storage.
it is also totally inflatable including the seat so it can pack up small.
Urethane bladders which are the BEST!
I moved up a model and bought the Navigator II which is the same design but 9’ long, plus has oars and optional deck for motor and battery (THE TRUE PONTUBE)
It is a little longer in the back with a zipper opening for a motor.
NOW, as for wind, I started off with a donut and as TD mentioned, harder to cast from, colder and might not get blown around as much, but sure got BEAT UP from waves, plus the drag with a larger foot print.
I have also had SFC, but then the H3 was bigger and better for my needs.
I had my Navigator out in a lake last year in a terrible wind storm (in fact there was electricity going through my fly rods).
This boat (which again is the same design as the H3) TRACKED SOOO STRAIGHT it was unbelievable. I forgot my motor and it didn’t matter, this thing is awesome.
I also have had smaller aluminum boats and I still have and use an 11 1/2’ Pontoon. Maybe you understand when I say, they want to twist when it is windy. My Pontoon is a very low profile so not as bad but it still wants to turn sideways. The “V” shape DOES NOT. it stays nice and straight.
Wind is a problem in any boat, but it is tolerable in a “V”.
Even North Forth has noticed the advantages to a “V” in that even there new stand up boats are going that way. They track better, no fish tailing, the fact they are ONE PIECE makes them more stable.
Do I still use my pontoon…You bet. Because I am Totally out of the water, more room, and it will go faster because of the smaller footprint.
It is just harder to take on trips LOL (I guess, or at least that is what the old man says…I still like my banana)
I’ll second what TD said on this.
I have fished out of the old donut tubes, cheap V style tubes (WW Griggs), Fish Cats, Fat Cats, Super Fat Cats, and the H3. The Fat Cat, SFC, and the H3 were TD’s, and he graciously let me test drive them.
I’ll say that I will NEVER use a donut tube again. The newer tubes are not very difficult to handle in rough wind, and when the wind is moderate or not existant, the benefit of being able to control your presentation is essential.
Out of those tubes that I have tried, I would go with either the Fat Cat or the Super Fat Cat. They easily hold up big guys like me, are very maneuverable, and are easy to get in and out of. The one advantage (maybe preference) of the Fat Cat is the foam seat.
The Fish Cat 4 is what I have currently, and I really enjoy it! Here is a good deal with free shipping on Ebay for one:
thanks for your ideas. You too fly goddess. I need a tube that will fit in the back of a Bronco. This may be the ticket. On another note. lets go fishing! Next week. Looks like weather may be good.
Regards, Humpy
You shouldn’t have a problem with fitting it in. TD fits 2 in the back of his Jimmy (semi-inflated) and when I go alone, mine fits fully inflated in the back of my TrailBlazer.
Thanks everyone…I see that the super fat cat now has an LCS model with infltatable seat and backrest…I had never heard about the navigator 2…I may have to go hug my old bass boat for the last time.
Well, mine is blue and the old mans is red. If you can get a yellow one, want to trade, he, he, he.
Hi TubeDude,
Thanks for your insights. You helped me make a decision about a tube.
I had a Super Fat Cat and got blown from one end of June Lake, CA to the other and could not get back to my launch point. It was very windy and though I had good fins (Force Fins) I couldn’t make much headway. The water was pretty cold, too. Fortunately, I had friends that I called via radio and they came in a boat and picked me up. When I came home, I put the SFC up for sale. The fact that I would get my rig caught up in my fins didn’t help either.
I was kind of surprised when I read that you were selling your Dave Scadden float tube and going back to a SFC. May I ask why you sold it?
I’ve had 2 kayaks, one pontoon, and 2 float tubes over the years. The kayaks and pontoon took too much work and lifting which took the fun out of fishing. Like most people, I’m looking for the perfect “boat” for my needs.
I put a trolling motor on my last yak and pontoon. The reason I am interested in the Dave Scadden float tube (includes the Navigator 2 and the Outlaw) is because I can put a trolling motor on it.
FT
Hi FlyGoddess,
Have you ever put a trolling motor on your DS float tube?
The Dave Scadden Outlaw is the one I really want but it’s just too pricey at this time. So I’m thinking about getting the H3.
Any input would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
FT
P.S. Have you tried the Outlaw? I wonder how different it is from the Navigator 2??
Sorry about your windy ride on June Lake. I might suggest that in strong wind, it does not much matter what kind of tube or toon you are in. You cannot power yourself upwind without a motor or serious rowing.
I had the H3 for about six months. I fished an average of two times a week during that time. My wife was with me in her H3 on most of those trips. I can honestly say that we did not have one trip on which we were not uncomfortable in the seats after an hour of fishing. I am not a rookie, and I tried every possible seat adjustment…as well as trying numerous seat additions and modifications. If the bottom seat was firm enough to hold us up, it was so hard that it hurt to sit on it. If we let out a bit of air for comfort, it allowed us to slip forward and we had to continuously use our arms to push ourselves back into the seat. At the end of a four hour fishing trip both our backs and our arms were trashed.
Since getting back in the Super Fat Cat, I have had over 40 fishing trips. Some of those trips have lasted as long as 8 hours in the tube. Not once have I had any comfort problems…no slipping forward, no aching backside, no lower back pain. The same for my wife. Once again we have come to take for granted having a comfortable ride while fishing.
Comfort and personal preferences are always an individual matter. We form our own opinions based upon our own experiences and observations. I know others have not had the same problems with the H3 that we had. All I know is that for us they were almost unuseable. Did we get tubes from a bad production run? Who knows? Are we wierd and hard to please? Not likely. We have fished from many different tubes over several decades and have NEVER had similar problems to the ones we had with the H3.
Like many other H3 buyers, I was willing to pay the extra money to get the features and quality offered in that craft. I would probably buy another one if I was assured that the seat problem was no longer an issue. But, I fish for pleasure…not pain. And every trip in an H3 was more of a torture than a pleasure.
That is why I have always advised others to TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. The H3 was probably the first craft I have ever bought without borrowing one and fishing from it first. I should have heeded my own advice. It would have saved me both pain and money.
Hi FlyGoddess,
Have you ever put a trolling motor on your DS float tube?
The Dave Scadden Outlaw is the one I really want but it’s just too pricey at this time. So I’m thinking about getting the H3.
Any input would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
FT
P.S. Have you tried the Outlaw? I wonder how different it is from the Navigator 2??
No I haven’t, but I got the Navigator II about two months after the H3, so I didn’t need to. H3 is for the motorless waters like Tibble.
BUT, Larry Tullis has come up with a way to mount a motor on the H3.
I haven’t had the chance to test drive the Outlaw, but if I were to, it would be the X5 version with the frame. Turn the fame around, put a gas motor on and you have a Zodiak with a standing platform…don’t get better than that.
I have heard rumors about a new H3 with inflateable seat/floor, like the Outlaw, but you know rumors[;)]
I am not BIG so to speak, and I can chalk up 8 hours with ease, but I can let a little air out of the seat with no effect to the H3…BUT I LIKE IT HARD 
Thanks, TubeDude.
I live in Southern California and unfortunately, I don’t know anyone here who has an H3 tube. I like to try stuff out too before I buy. The tube is quite a chuck of change.
I spoke with Dave Scadden on the phone and he told me that people seemed to not like the seat on the Navigator so he designed a new boat, the Outlaw that uses a kayak seat. Since I owned 2 kayaks and still have my kayak seat which is very comfortable, I thought I could use it on the Outlaw.
I’m with you on the seat - IF the seat isn’t comfortable, that will blow the whole fishing experience. I wonder how many others found the seats uncomfortable to fish out of. I missed the sale at Cabelas on the H3. At least if I was unhappy with the seat situation, I could have returned it. I almost opted for an Outcast Prowler over the weekend but once again, I don’t want to be in a position where I couldn’t get back to the launch point under my own power. I couldn’t put a trolling motor on that one. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.
Thanks again,
FT
Thanks, flygoddess. The Scadden boats look like a lot of fun plus the oars and trolling motor mounts are a real plus.
I’ll keep my eye out for a new H3. There is a guy in my neck of the woods who has a Fishcat 4 and uses a 5 gallon bucket with a battery and trolling motor. In pictures, he looks a little low in the water for my taste. The weight capacity is around 275. That’s the beauty of the Scadden boats much larger weight capacity. Hmmm, I just thought of a possible solution, if I lose 50# I might be able to get a Fat Cat and have the trolling motor, too. [:P]
TD, so far I really like TB’s Scadden that I purchased from you. I won’t say that it’s 100% comfy, but it’s a hell of a lot better than my old Buck’s donut! Still not more comfy than my Fishcat9 toon, however. I do agree with you, I DO have some slippage, but it’s nothing major to me. I still am contemplating selling that toon though…it’s a pain to lug around!
I like mine. I have seen the outlaw and it looks sweet, i would love to try one.
I will say this. The Navigator II has the same seat as the H3 (which like I said I have no problem with just like the SFC we use to have..adjustable with more or less air) BUT, on the Navigator with the deck on the back for the motor, it does end up sitting you straight up. You can’t lean back like on other tubes cause the aluminum shelf is right there. I have slid the shelf back as far as it can go and it is much better, but I agree the plastic molded (PADDED) seats on the pontoons is the best as far as comfort, but you can’t lean back in it either.
I do have the cloth seat like the one on the OUTLAW, which I have and do occasionally put on my deck instead of the plastic (folds flat so I can stand on my boat) but it is no were near as cumfy as the molded plastic, but that is my bony butt speaking.