Fat Cat vs Fish Cat

[Boneylegs]

Posted this on FFIM and thought I'd toss it out to you folks!

Time has come to get a new float tube. I've been fishing out of one of the original Caddis belly boats (donut style) since like 1984 or so. The thing's been a tank (only had to get a new tube two years ago!) and worked well, but I noticed last year that the Guiness is beginning to take it's toll on my ability to get in & out of the darn thing. Actually getting in isn't the problem...it's getting out that can get me in Americas funniest home video's (I'd probably win the $20K!)

So I've been eying the Outcast Fish Cat and the Fat Cat. The major diff between the two seems to be the size of the tubes and the length of the craft. And the price.... Who has used either (or both) of these tubes and what did you like about them. Dislikes as well. Is it worth spending the extra $$$ on the Fat vs the Fishy? I'm 6' and 225# if that helps for recommendations.

Thanks................

[Squaretail]

Boney- I had a Creek River (?) Roundboat for 4 or 5 years. It cost me $70 and I Had a lot of fun in it and caught a lot of fish over the years that I wouldn't have had access to otherwise. But like you I was tired of wrestling my way out of it. Especially when trying to rid my bladder of a couple of malt beverages. Sometimes It was close to whether or not I was going to get those damn flippers out of it on time. So 2 years ago at the Wilmington FF Show the Kittery Tr Post had a 4 foot pool full of water and 5 or 6 styles of float tubes to test. I tried every one. The Fat Cat was very stable but kind of large and pricey $350? I didn't care for the Fish Cat. It rocked from front to back and I thought it was kind of annoying. I bought the T.U. Kennebec boat. $150 and pretty stable. It puts you almost out of the water and is sooooo much easier to get in and out of. I'm not sure if the KTP is having those demos next weekend or not...but it was a great sales tool for me. I guarantee you whatever U-Boat you choose will be an improvement over the donut style. Good Luck-

[jackchinook]

Boneylegs,
Hi...new to the forum as of a few minutes ago...Living in Vermont.

I went through the same dilemma about a year ago. It's pretty hard to find out the differences in the two models, huh?

here's a good site

(Hmmm, can't post link on 1st post, I'll come back soon)

which, outlines the differences. Use it with a grain of salt since it's slightly old, but you'll get the idea.

I figured the Fat Cat was twice as much but should last twice as long. I know guys out west that are still using their 10-15 year old original Fat Cats and love them.

So far I've used mine only a bit, but that included using it in the Ocean in Maine and it performed like a champ!

[jackchinook]

try this:
http://www.riverwire.com/outcasttubereview2.htm

[j_harper]

I had the super fat cat but to be honest I really didn't like it. Water would seep in the velcro seam and soak the rigid insulation seat pad. The rear storage compartment holds too much water well. By the end of a couple hours I was paddling around several extra pounds.I ended up with this:

http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/2007websitecatalogpages/2007catalogpage40.html

and love it. You can pick it up for less than retail, it's bombproof, and made in the USA. I've taken it in class 2 rapids with no problems. Lots of fun.

John

[castafly]

I own a fish cat deluxe. It has the inflatable seat cushion/ seat and back are inflated. I am 160 lbs and it is very stable and an absolute joy to fish from. I really enjoy it and would buy another in a heart beat. I bought my father the super fat cat..he is roughly 220lbs. he is old school and never used one before.....needless to say I can't get him out of it. He feels it is very stable and is comfortble fishing from it all day. I highly recommend both. If you are a little guy like me the fishcat would work or if you are a normal to bigger size dude go with the fatcat. I would go with the inflatable seat cushions.... They are a huge plus.

Just my .000002 cents.