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Float tube advice


Trailhead

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Hello float tube experts, I recently acquired a float tube and took it out on the weekend. I got soaked, water leaked into the top of my chest waders, and I seemed to be sitting very low in the water. Are these things built for tall people? Do I need to adjust it and how? Now it was quite windy and the waves were fairly high. Anyway if someone could let me know what I was doing wrong I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

Thanks

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Pretty tough to tell - but make sure of a few things:

 

1. Make sure the seat is tightened up - there is a strap (generally) to raise / lower the harness... it should be tight enough for you to sit up high.

 

2. Make sure the tube is properly inflated. You shouldn't have more than a 1/2 to 1" of deflection when you push hard with a single finger (usually 3 to 4 psi in a rubber tube.)

 

I'm about 220lbs and use a Trout Traps Pro 350 (did - now a toon'er) never did I get wet above my belt.

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Trailhead,

 

Greg has got it right. Tighten up those straps.

 

Your story reminds me of the first time I launched my float tube on Hasse Lake around 15 years ago. I paddled out and almost immediately felt the cold water coming in the back of my waders. I adjusted the straps so I was sitting higher the next time I was out. That time all I did was get back to shore, dump the water out of my waders, and spread out all the id, money, and papers from my wallet on my dashboard for the drive back to Edmonton.

 

Now I put my wallet in a ziplock bag, and I ride in comfort out of the water in a pontoon boat.

 

Good luck,

 

Michael

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Trailhead,

 

Greg has got it right. Tighten up those straps.

 

Your story reminds me of the first time I launched my float tube on Hasse Lake around 15 years ago. I paddled out and almost immediately felt the cold water coming in the back of my waders. I adjusted the straps so I was sitting higher the next time I was out. That time all I did was get back to shore, dump the water out of my waders, and spread out all the id, money, and papers from my wallet on my dashboard for the drive back to Edmonton.

 

Now I put my wallet in a ziplock bag, and I ride in comfort out of the water in a pontoon boat.

 

Good luck,

 

Michael

Thanks gentlemen, I will do that, and yes I too had the wallet on the dash as I drove home. Good thing it was a sunny day.

 

TH

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I thought the whole idea of floating on a lake (or downstream) in on old inner tube was to hang an almost bare butt in the water so as to keep certain parts of one's anatomy cool. ;)

Putting on a pair of rubber pants to do so is kind of stretching the concept don't you think?

Maybe you should try a boat!!! :yak:

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