03-07-2012, 11:56 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Welcome aboard. Hope you can work your way through it and that you buy wisely...for you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]At your weight you are right on the fence between Fish Cat and Fat Cat. If the budget will stand it you will likely be happier with the larger size and extra floatation of the Fat Cat. That will be especially true if you start adding sonar, battery, rod racks and other stuff that increases the weight and decreases the available space.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The Fish Cat will float you with no problem...up to about 250 pounds without riding too low. But if you have a chance to compare the ride of the two you will likely prefer sitting higher and drier in the Fat Cat. However, if you plan to use your craft for backpacking the Fish Cat is a bit lighter.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]With all the super deals online these days there is little reason for walking into a tackle emporium and plunking down full retail price. Even the big boys have sales and still offer the return service and warranties. But there are increasingly more outlets on eBay and other sites that offer great discounts. Just be sure to check out the store before you buy. Look for a good track record and backup.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]So spend some time visiting the manufacturers websites listed in the Buyers Guide and become familiar with the options and features...and the price differences. Ask your questions here on the forum and once you have some confidence in a specific model then start shopping.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And no, $350 is not too much to invest in a GOOD tube. Better to spend a bit more than you wanted than not quite enough. Worrying about poor quality while out on the water is a
tradeoff for getting a great buy on an inferior product.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]At your weight you are right on the fence between Fish Cat and Fat Cat. If the budget will stand it you will likely be happier with the larger size and extra floatation of the Fat Cat. That will be especially true if you start adding sonar, battery, rod racks and other stuff that increases the weight and decreases the available space.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The Fish Cat will float you with no problem...up to about 250 pounds without riding too low. But if you have a chance to compare the ride of the two you will likely prefer sitting higher and drier in the Fat Cat. However, if you plan to use your craft for backpacking the Fish Cat is a bit lighter.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With all the super deals online these days there is little reason for walking into a tackle emporium and plunking down full retail price. Even the big boys have sales and still offer the return service and warranties. But there are increasingly more outlets on eBay and other sites that offer great discounts. Just be sure to check out the store before you buy. Look for a good track record and backup.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]So spend some time visiting the manufacturers websites listed in the Buyers Guide and become familiar with the options and features...and the price differences. Ask your questions here on the forum and once you have some confidence in a specific model then start shopping.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]And no, $350 is not too much to invest in a GOOD tube. Better to spend a bit more than you wanted than not quite enough. Worrying about poor quality while out on the water is a
tradeoff for getting a great buy on an inferior product.[/#0000ff][signature]