[Last Action Freddie]

I bought my current (crappy) toon 15yrs ago under duress (had a blow out in the middle of a trip), and I'm ready to select the right one for my purposes and have narrowed down to Prowler vs. Super Fat Cat. I'd just go with SFC but I have some gift card $ from Bass Pro Shops and they only carry Prowler. Either way it's more $$$ out of pocket to get Prowler (I could just use the gift card for something else I need to upgrade). I fish mediumish lakes (tend to walk/pack to other end of lake vs. fin if it's large/long, but many situations with finning long distances incl strong winds), do the standard desert walk in lakes (but not hikes w/this), i'm not small (up to 240-250 fully loaded), standard stillwater fishing (park/cast, some chironomid, troll) including like to fish some "tight spaces".

What are the pros & cons of Prowler vs. SFC?? What does the extra $$ of the Prowler actually do for me?


Also - because of my blowout experience - I have to ask does it matter whether the V boat is single bladder (w/inflatable seat) or dual? any opinions on inflatable seat?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[IveofIone]

I have owned a SFC for many years now and can vouch for it being an excellent fishing platform. It keeps my butt out of the water and with the inflatable seats is very comfortable. It has been carried many miles with the available back straps and is relatively easy to transport. The bladder has never been an issue although the valve has started to leak a little after all these years. I tried the foam seat models and didn't like them as well.

Comparing it to the Prowler seems like comparing a loaded F-150 to a 350 HD. The SFC will probably do everything you want from a tube but if you demand the extra capacity or ruggedness of the Prowler spend the bucks. It appears that the Prowler is about as big and hunky as float tubes will ever get before they morph into something beyond a float tube. And also represents about as much expenditure as they can reasonably expect to wring out of the market. Kinda the Hummer of the float tube world if you will.

SFC's have always had a much longer warranty than the standard Fat Cats and that seems to support their confidence in the single bladder design. I have no personal experience with the Prowler but it looks like a great boat. But if you have been using a crappy boat then moving up to a SFC is going to be a huge upgrade. It would sure help if you could try both of them on the water to see if one is $100 better than the other.

Ive

 

[Michael Nelson]

SFC's have always had a much longer warranty than the standard Fat Cats and that seems to support their confidence in the single bladder design

Not true. Fat Cats and Super Fat Cats have the exact same five year warranty.

 

[Bill Aubrey]

I agree with Ivy's comments. I have a SFC I have had for about 5 years and love it. I have been eyeballing a Prowler at Cabelas (2 miles from the house is not always good) and it is sweet! If I were buying new, I might do it. You will definitely like either one over the competition, hands down. My SFC looks brand new. I would not worry about the single bladder; if you had an issue, you still have the inflatable seat and backrest for an emergency. Definitely go with inflatable over the foam inserts for comfort. Either way you go, give us a report.

 

[Richard E]

I bought my current (crappy) toon 15yrs ago under duress (had a blow out in the middle of a trip), and I'm ready to select the right one for my purposes and have narrowed down to Prowler vs. Super Fat Cat. I'd just go with SFC but I have some gift card $ from Bass Pro Shops and they only carry Prowler. Either way it's more $$$ out of pocket to get Prowler (I could just use the gift card for something else I need to upgrade). I fish mediumish lakes (tend to walk/pack to other end of lake vs. fin if it's large/long, but many situations with finning long distances incl strong winds), do the standard desert walk in lakes (but not hikes w/this), i'm not small (up to 240-250 fully loaded), standard stillwater fishing (park/cast, some chironomid, troll) including like to fish some "tight spaces".

What are the pros & cons of Prowler vs. SFC?? What does the extra $$ of the Prowler actually do for me?

Also - because of my blowout experience - I have to ask does it matter whether the V boat is single bladder (w/inflatable seat) or dual? any opinions on inflatable seat?

Thanks in advance for any help!

I have one of the original Super Fat Cats, with the foam seat and seat back, which model is now 'just' the Fat Cat with a higher capacity . . . It's a great little boat. I bought mine after borrowing my buddy's Super Fat Cat. I lent mine out to two buddies, who each went out and bought their own after using mine. Another buddy, after seeing me fish out of it just once, bought one. (Maybe Outcast should be giving me some spiffs or commission; hmmmmm).

The Super Fat Cat is about as much flotation device, in my opinion, you need without having a rowing system. If you need much more than the Super Fat Cat, the next step (to me) is a pontoon boat or other like craft with oars. I have the Super Fat Cat, a pontoon boat, a little mini raft, a 14' aluminum boat, and have owned a Tote n Float (predecessor to the Watermaster). They each have their own niche/role. The Super Fat Cat is very convenient, and I have never found myself wishing for or feeling like I needed more boat.

Unless you're a pretty good-sized fella, the Fish Cat LCS might work just fine, too. I weigh 215, and my Super Fat Cat does fine.

I wouldn't drop the extra dinero on the Prowler unless you're a big fella or tend to carry car batteries in your float tube.

 

[Last Action Freddie]

Hey All - much thanks for the responses. Great responses - I'm glad I asked. The verdict: I just bought a FatCat and will save my Bass Pro Shop gift card for something else.

Why: in addition to your in inputs I had one fly shop employee talk me into the least expensive of the Prowler, SFC and FC. And the reasons made sense -- the Prowler may be overkill for me and with the extra length may take some extra work to control/steady in the wind. There were other reasons too but they escape me nowl

bottom line is I'll be giving it a try next week or after and I'll let you know if I have any strong positive or negative impressiions of it.

after inflating it - my impressions are all positive except i'm still wondering what I think of the stripping basket -- how it is not strapped/velcro'd in but the "legs" are just jammed into slots. not sure if this will be a hassle getting in/out. any opinions:??

 

[Michael Nelson]

Don't even bother with that stripping apron. The Outcast aprons are absolutely useless. No matter how tight you make them, when you put your butt in the seat the tubes move closer together, the front of the apron sags, and it dumps the line on your feet. Terrible design!