Whats the best budget tube on the market. I would like to give it a go. Cheers guys.

When it comes to float tubes I have a bit of an issue with the notion of 'budget' on a couple of levels.

Firstly, I do appreciate the concern that having tried it you find you don't like it and in that event you don't wish to make a big capital outlay but much of the enjoyment from tubing comes from having a well designed, efficient and safe tube and often the budget tubes don't tick all the boxes.

Safety is the prime consideration and the bladders (note plural) need to be robust and ideally, inflatable by mouth.

As far as design goes, the 'U' or 'V' boat profile has much to recommend it above the old 'Doughnut', there should be plenty of pockets to store items of tackle and attachments / rings for your net or anchor if you want to use one.

My own tube is a Spartan Cruiser and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Why not have a look at the British Float Tube Association's website and get yourself along to one of the get togethers near you and have a chat to see what others use and recommend - they're a very friendly and welcoming bunch!

The British Float Tube Association

There's always the chance you could pick up a good tube, in good condition second hand.

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[I]"I still don't know why I fish or why other men fish, except that we like it and it makes us think and feel."[/I] Roderick L Haig-Brown

[url]www.wildfly.net[/url]

[url]http://www.gameanglinginstructors.co.uk/[/url]

Drowned customers cease to buy !

Best wishes

Steve P

Maybe this will help you make your mind up:
Guide to buying a float tube
It covers many of the tubes on the market, and attempts to be objective.

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Norm

Float Tube Fishing 30+ years
Float Tubing Info Resource

How about someone actually puts forward the brand/model of a budget priced float tube that would be good for getting started with, rather than demeaning comments like Steve’s above.

I'm in the same 'boat' as the poster. I have never tried float tubing and want to give it a go but without splashing out to much of my hard earned, after all i might not take to it. Unless several people categorically tell me that any tube under 150.00 GBP will drown me, then i'm also interested in buying a ‘budget’ tube to get me started. Lets face it, who bought a Hardy as their first fly rod?

I like the look of the the Ron Thomson Max Float Tube, it looks sturdy and durable. It goes for around 120.00 GBP. Any opinions on it, or would anyone be kind enough to suggest something better at a similar price?

All constructive comments welcome!

Regards
PC

Peeping Caddis:
I posted a link to a page where I wrote a full chapter and verse consideration of all the factors with no plugs or marketing, in the post above.

I am not interested in trying to suggest any thing of the sort.

Please excuse me if I recommend "higher" float tubes. It is not an affiliation to a make, or maker, it is experience.

The second part of my article referenced above deals with how to mitigate the safety shortcomings of "lower" float tubes, so they are safer.
But I don't recommend them for the many reasons discussed.
We are dealing with forces of nature, that can snuff you out permanently in 60 seconds. When a big wind blows, a hook gets caught in the tube material, the water gets rough, the occupant does something stupid, when any unexpected thing happens - natural conditions do not give special treatment to the person out there who had a low budget.
It is the responsibility of any watercraft captain to acknowledge the need for capacity to deal with and survive trouble.

A float tube is the smallest boat, and it works. But let's apply that concept to line for a moment. Say you wanted to catch a big fish for a line class record. You now must use the thinnest line. Would you not choose the best thin line you could find? Or would you say all those thin lines are too dear, I'll use a budget spool! We don't cut corners in marine equipment if we understand the needs.

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Norm

Float Tube Fishing 30+ years
Float Tubing Info Resource

You did, and i read it all with interest, thanks. However, most seem to be from the USA, and there is not much in the 'budget' range. The shakespear expidition really interests me, but is it still available, i'm struggling to find it on any angling store websites.

The Expedition has got hard to get. They stopped doing them a year ago, and a used one is more feasible.

I'd be curious to see what is the favoured chariot of the BFTA in 2011.

In the absence of the Expedition/Cruiser, if I were replacing mine tomorrow I'd be thinking Bucks Bags Bullet or an Outcast FC4, or after that a Creek Co ODC420.

Best of luck with your tubing plans

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Norm

Float Tube Fishing 30+ years
Float Tubing Info Resource

hello people,
I am new to this site. But I have extensive experience like many others here in Float Tubes and Pontoon Boats. Either are great ways to fish a body of water. I fished out of the older styles which were just a round 10x 20 tire tube for about 15 years. As I got older I found that sitting in the water most of the day eventually took some toll on my body. The waters here in Northern Canada can stay very cold for long periods of time. Even wearing thermal under clothes didn't always help. From here I transitioned into a U-Shape Float Tube which I found better and more versatile with easier use at different times. Eventually I went into a pontoon boat that I use on both lakes and river. The advantages are incomparable to tubes. You sit higher and out of the water. It makes for easier casting with less back cast problems. I can use it in waters that have up to a class 2 level rapid and could challenge a Class 3. (Life Jackets are a must) On the lakes in our pontoon boats we also can use electric motors if desired. On the rivers and smaller creek we use either the oars or scuba finns. For me personally I like sitting higher out of the water (especially good on very cool fall days) and have the ability to run either lakes or rivers any given day. They are a bit more money but I feel they are well worth the extra expense. Very safe as well if used correctly.

Fishcat FC9 is what I am using with a spare bladder-always.

withdrawn etc etc