Light Weight Float Tube

Looking for a lightweight float tube when hiking. I have the Curtis raft, which I like when backpacking or going ultralight and used in the late summer. However, it's not ideal when it is cold and raining. I don't want to lay down in the raft. I'm also 6'2" 185 lbs.

Therefore I'm in the market for a quality, light weight, packable float tube. Considering Outcast Trinity or maybe Gunnison and definitely looking for other options. The Trinity looks good online, but I really don't want to spend $450+ on a simple float tube. Just want light weight, quality, utilitarian, and value.

What else is available and recommended?

Thanks in advance,
Jake

I put a pair of nicely padded REI frame pack straps I had lying around on my 1st gen Creek Co UBoat rather than buy the optional straps but it is pretty cumbersome to carry very far. Unlike the newer model it carries nicer with the backrest down and away. For hike-ins on the East side where there isn't a lot of brush I have an old REI Cruiser frame that has 4 straps with QD buckles that I clip it onto. MUCH nicer carry that way. I also have a couple of expedition rucksacks that it will slip into easily with pump and all the other gear I need

The Fishcat and Scadden V boats look real nice. Does the H3's rockered tubes make it more efficient to fin? Or does it put less flotation on the water that would offset the any gain from a rocker hull?

I hear the Gliderider was a pretty good tube and after Wood River closed up shop is available from Sparton in UK for $475 + shipping (and duty) along with replacement tubes for WR Us and Vs.

The SuperCat is expensive but looks like a cool tube. Does it sit you up higher than a V or a U? Does the height create any issues with leg position for efficient finning? Does the frame keep the tubes back behind you when carrying like a pack frame? Any comparisons to an Outcast Prowler?

Quality, lighweight and 'value' [longevity?].... that doesn't come cheap... and you have already answered your own question!!

I went through the same thing as you last year. After sending back one less expensive tube that I thought would do, I went ahead and bought the Outcast Trinity from Avid Angler in Lake Forest Park. It's all I hoped it would be; really lightweight, well made and it comes with a very comfortable and well designed pack that it fits nicely into along with your fins, waders, etc. You won't be disappointed if you get one. Greg

You're much too big for a Curtis raft. If a Forest Ranger catches you in that thing in the back country, you could get a major citation. Best thing you could do would be to sell me that Curtis raft right away. :clown: I wish they were still available.

WOOD RIVER rocked!!! Look everywhere you can to still find one. I recently found two and an unused spare bladder. Now I'm set for life, I hope.

There are a lot of WoodRiver fans. Pete Ross licensed the WoodRiver design to Sparton in the UK who has "licensed these patented hull systems exclusively for Europe. WoodRiver has gone down, sadly – there's only us left making and repairing all WoodRiver models worldwide!!" $475 + shipping (and duty)

Still have 2 Stealthriders . . . great, durable float tubes!

I have a Wood River Glidrider that i've been thinking of selling. I haven't used it in a while. I had Pete put a new bladder in just before he closed his shop and has only been used a couple times since.

Without bothering to check the specs, I still believe that the Outcast Trinity is probably the lightest available and certainly of good quality. One thing that gets overlooked, however, is that being very light and having the high, canoe-like, kick up at the front makes it very sensitive to wind and therefore a bit of a problem to keep tracking straight or to maneuver accurately.

The SuperCat tubes swivel inwards and are held in by an adustable strap for back packing. I have done two laps around Lenice in one day fishing, finning is no problem. Notice in the photo that I wear waist-high waders instead of chest waders. Specifications: 6'2" 215 Lbs. SS

I've got both the Trinity and a Super Fat Cat. While the 'prow' on the Trinity does indeed stick up, it isn't nearly as high as the SFC.

In either case, the mitigating factor is my 200+ pounds of body mass, clothing and gear, which tends to keep my direction or position relatively steady in all but the strongest wind.

K

Kent,

How do you like the Trinity? I have a SFC but I was thinking of something for hiking in that would be a little more user friendly. Would you recommend for Alpine Lakes?

The main advantage to the Trinity is that it has a similar seating position to the SFC, high and with one's thighs almost out of the water. But I've got several minor quibbles and one major one.

First, the valves are similar to the seat and back of my SFC: the spring valve is too tight to allow inflation by mouth which means bringing along a pump. Maybe I haven't got it totally figured out yet, but the gear pockets on the sides seem to pronate too far outboard, meaning that the contents are susceptible to getting dunked. The seat and pockets are separate from the side tubes which slide into sleeves on either side of the seat. Getting the tubes perfectly aligned is tricky and usually results in one side being a bit lower than the other. Finally, the stripping apron fits tight in one direction but loose in the opposite. Overall, the boat doesn't seem well designed or thought out.

My major beef is that even though it's lighter (by less than a pound) than my $90 TU Gunnison tube, the fact that I have to bring along a K-Pump to inflate the tight valves means it ends up being heavier. That leaves the only advantage as the higher seating position. To me that's not worth the several hundred dollar price premium.

It's easier to pack on my mountain bike than my SFC but given its bulk and the pump issue, the Gunnison or my Curtis raft get tapped for serious hike-in trips.

K

Well, I just purchased a Trinity and here are my initial thoughts:

1. Kent is right - the valves are tight. I tried to inflate it by mouth and is sucked - or blew - don't know which. The pump is almost a necessity

2. Set-up, tubes even or not, all seems to work for me.

3. If you wanted to make a lightweight tube you cold shave a lot of material off of this one. Not recommended as a home project.

4. This was my first time in a tube. I am a paddlers. I am shocked at how slow and cumbersome it is.

5. From the high seating position the kicking motion is not unlike doing leg extensions. I thought, "Great, I am going to hike in 5 hours and then sit in this and do leg extensions. Perfect plan."

6. I have lots of waders including lightweight, integrated boot Gore-Tex prototypes from a major manufacturer that never saw the light of day. I am playing today with fins but no wader boots on my feet to see how that goes.

7. The plan, unless we get some stupid weather, is to hike into a favorite alpine lake of mine fora few days this week to try it all out. I have a prototype 85 liter pack that needs some miles on it, so it should be a good fit.

MG

That's an interesting thought Marty. I think that the Trinity, while certainly a contender for the lightest tube available, still leaves the door open for an even better, more thoughtful design.

For instance, it might be interesting to see how the folks at Alpacka might approach the design and production of a seriously lightweight float tube.

K

I wonder how much you want to sell yours. Thanks.

The Bucks Bag Mustang should probably be in this discussion as well. American made with a 5 year warranty and a 300# capacity. $299

Ive