Fishing The Fly Scotland Forum

Ben Dixon

New Snowbee Tube
« on: 01/02/2013 at 20:11 »
Got a 2013 Snowbee catalogue today.........

They appear to be doing a tube for this year which looks to be similar to the Vision Keeper & the last Ron Thomson.  Bladders are listed as replacement parts, comes with a bag, fins, pump etc. It's not up on their site yet but keep any eye out, I would think it will be soon.  Can't remember the price but will get it tomorrow.

Got a V style hull and it looks as if you will be sitting fairly high in the water so will be easy to move around & quick.

Cheers

Ben 

Mike Barrio

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #1 on: 01/02/2013 at 20:34 »
Yep, same basic design, but looking like a good replacement for the old one, inflatable seat and back rest instead of the foam stuff, improved bladders. New flippers too, with a different rear fitting that is said to be better for wading boots.

Float tube kit ( float tube, pump, flippers and quality storage bag ) £199
Accessories:
Flippers £25
Spare main bladders each £25
Spare seat bladder £10
Spare backrest bladder £12

I'm looking forward to seeing one and having a go :z16

Mike Barrio

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #2 on: 01/02/2013 at 20:54 »
Yes, this looks like it could be a serious contender for UK float tubers ...... Excellent stuff :z16


Ben Dixon

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #3 on: 01/02/2013 at 21:03 »
Thanks Mike  :z16

I like the look of the design.  It looks like it will ride quite high so make life easy when finning any distance unlike the Shatspeare arse dragger special.
The only thing that bugs me is the valve sticking proud like that.  The valves are the only thing I don't like about the Guideline, one of mine seeps air unless the cap is greased up but at least they are covered up by pockets.  The valves on the similar looking Vision tube were ropey and could be "swiped" off my hand which obviously emptied the bladder in seconds.  Really keen to see one of these  :cool:



Cheers

Ben

Mike Barrio

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #4 on: 01/02/2013 at 21:13 »
I'll get one for Haddo Ben :z16

Cheers
Mike

Iain Cameron

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #5 on: 02/02/2013 at 09:02 »
.... which obviously emptied the bladder in seconds. 

aye, it's scary when a tube deflates mid-water. I'd be emptying my bowels too...

looks a decent tube though

Ben Dixon

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #6 on: 02/02/2013 at 09:36 »
aye, it's scary when a tube deflates mid-water. I'd be emptying my bowels too...

looks a decent tube though

Thankfully, it was on the floor in the shop Iain.  I happened to knock the vavle with my hand and the whole thing just came flying out.  Thread on the valve are far too short IMO.


Cheers

Ben

Loxiafan

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #7 on: 03/02/2013 at 20:27 »
..and could be "swiped" off my hand which obviously emptied the bladder in seconds.

I take it you all wear lifevests for such risks ? I honestly don't think I could get in to one of those rubber rings without 'back-up' ! If so what vests are a good investment.

Tempted by the tube  :X1

Lindsay

Jim Eddie

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #8 on: 03/02/2013 at 22:17 »
Lindsay
Its actually a lot safer than fishing from a boat. Having said that , yes its correct that you should wear a life jacket. Any of the collar ones should be fine. I have one of the Englands type auto inflating waist coats and wear that.

 :z18

Jim

Peter McCallum

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #9 on: 04/02/2013 at 09:04 »
I take it you all wear lifevests for such risks ? I honestly don't think I could get in to one of those rubber rings without 'back-up' ! If so what vests are a good investment.

Tempted by the tube  :X1

Lindsay

I agree with Jim, Lindsay. Both of my tubes have had 4 bladders and I wear a life jacket, so short of a point blank blast from a 12 bore its unlikely that any more than one will fail which gives me plenty time to reach shore.

Given that your backside is on/in the water and your legs sit below you then the chances of getting flpped over is probably les than in a boat. I am an extremley poor sailor, I hate being in boats, even big ones, but I feel safe in my tube in conditions I wouldn't fish from a boat.

Rob Brownfield

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #10 on: 04/02/2013 at 09:35 »
Oh I have a couple of photos of people who have flipped over in a tube.  :z4

Both incidents happened during launch....so be careful!

I also wear a lifejacket and have a 5 bladder model..much safer :)

Peter McCallum

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #11 on: 04/02/2013 at 12:03 »

Both incidents happened during launch....so be careful!



Paul Arden tried to flip a tube over

http://www.sexyloops.com/articles/killerwader.shtml

couldn't do it. When landing & setting off you are standing up and can fall over rather than tip the tube. Go in backwards and take care as rob suggests

Allan Liddle

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #12 on: 04/02/2013 at 13:55 »
Yup agree only time your really vulnerable is getting in / out, many a wee moment when doing this, especially in a rush to get at the fish and i've not been paying much attention to a suitable launch area.  Even worse when you're trying to get out in a hurry but that's because if you stay in as long as i do yer bladders gonne be burstin.  :wink :z4 :z4 Bloody sore it can be too.  :shock :shock :z4 :z4

My only other concern when in the 'bag' is where boats are flying around close by you, especially the ones that shove 14 horse engines on the boat and think nothing of opening it right up first chance they get. (Harray Loch)  Bow riding high and someone not really paying attention because they think the bit of water they're on is clear............

Don't see the tube as better than the boat though, just offers something different.  Boats better for sighting fish at distance (as well as obviously getting there quicker), tubes certainly offer more stealth and close control, bank, well wouldn't be the fist time i've ditched the 'bag' to get onto close feeding troots tight on the shore.

One thing that's certain no matter what type of tube, pontoon or arse in the water craft you choose, no sooner are you in when you need the toilet, or worse, no sooner have you managed to get into a crackin fishing position amongsdt the rising troots when..........well you know where i'm heading.

Plenty pockets in the Shakey fur babywipes and bum paper.  :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4 :z4

Rob Brownfield

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #13 on: 04/02/2013 at 15:30 »
To clarify...the first "flipper" was a chap Ben knows from his days in Orvis Edinburgh. He is a large chap with plenty of weight up top. He was wading into a local loch up here on a Pike trip. As he stumbled he let go of the tube, so the tube was round his knees which meant he could not step forward to regain balance. Head first, feet up!!

I must find the photo. We spent so long laughing we did not realise he was in difficulty!

The second "launch" was a daft one! The person invoved thought he could enter the water from a small pier in the same why a diver does. Unfortunately, as he lept, the tube caught the pier and flipped him straight over!

There are a few interesting "experiments" online with the same conclusion, once in the tube and sitting, it is very dificult to flip yourself.

Loxiafan

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #14 on: 04/02/2013 at 21:40 »
Cheers, wasn't so worried about capsizing as such, more hook in skin of tube then "psssst" and frantic scramble back to shore.....if I am lucky !

At the mo I wouldn't get any use froma  tube but it is something I hope I could get some use for - maybe buying one would make me get out and justify it !
L

Euan Innes

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #15 on: 04/02/2013 at 22:33 »
Quote
If so what vests are a good investment.

Lindsay,

This lot are the biz.

http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/

The Bluewave jackets have nothing to do with fishing so are much cheaper than "fishing" ones. The Bluewave manual jacket is fine for tubing and spares are available almost anywhere. It's really light and fits over all your fishing gear but doesn't get in the way when casting.
Buying a spare re-arming kit is a good thing too.  :z16

 :z1



Rob Brownfield

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #16 on: 05/02/2013 at 08:35 »
I bought mune from the above shop also, one of these http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/products/67/harveys-fisher-automatic-gas-lifejacket

I went "auto" as I also wear it when in a boat/deep wading/fishing off the rocks...just in case.

It is the exact same design as some "fishing" ones but £40-£80 cheaper. Infact, one of the fishing branded ones has the same manufacturers label as the Harvey one.

Ben Dixon

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #17 on: 05/02/2013 at 09:45 »
At the mo I wouldn't get any use froma  tube but it is something I hope I could get some use for - maybe buying one would make me get out and justify it !
L

Honestly Lindsay, I didn't like the things when I got mine, I absolutely hated them.  Only bought one due to realising through gritted teeth that there are some places that cannot really be effectively fished without one.  A good few outings later, I still don't go looking for an oppurtunity to get the rubber ring out but I wouldn't be without it.  Certainly opens up a lot of fishing on waters that is not accessible from the shore and where there are no boats.


Cheers

Ben

Rob Brownfield

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #18 on: 05/02/2013 at 10:29 »
Certainly opens up a lot of fishing on waters that is not accessible from the shore and where there are no boats.

Just check access rights! Remember, if you have a ticket to fish, that does not give you the right to go afloat and fish, even if canoeists etc use the water under the open access laws.

I fell foul of that one!!   :z8

Ben Dixon

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #19 on: 05/02/2013 at 13:32 »
Thanks for pointing that out Rob   :z7 :z4

Rob Brownfield

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #20 on: 05/02/2013 at 15:59 »
Thanks for pointing that out Rob   :z7 :z4

I think I will nip down to Pump House Pool and float through in my tube..I am a member after all ;)

Loxiafan

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #21 on: 06/02/2013 at 01:26 »
Ta for all the advice.

Lindsay

Loxiafan

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #22 on: 06/02/2013 at 01:36 »
I still don't go looking for an oppurtunity to get the rubber ring out but I wouldn't be without it. 
Ben

Cheers Ben I'll add it to my list  :z16 Need a new pair of wading boots first though (as you know  :wink).

Lindsay

Euan Innes

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #23 on: 06/02/2013 at 06:37 »
Quote
Need a new pair of wading boots first though

Lindsay,

If you are looking for a pair of boots to use with a float tube, might I suggest a pair of cheap walking boots. Good wading boots for the river have nice expensive felt soles or cleated rubber and these get trashed on the walk from the car to the loch in the Highlands. Walking boots also slide into the flippers easier. £30 - £40 pounds gets you a good pair.  :z16

 :z1

Rob Brownfield

Re: New Snowbee Tube
« Reply #24 on: 06/02/2013 at 08:27 »
Lindsay,

If you are looking for a pair of boots to use with a float tube, might I suggest a pair of cheap walking boots. Good wading boots for the river have nice expensive felt soles or cleated rubber and these get trashed on the walk from the car to the loch in the Highlands. Walking boots also slide into the flippers easier. £30 - £40 pounds gets you a good pair.  :z16

 :z1

Interesting. I use normal walking boots to get to the loch and then change into an oversized pair of cheap "deck shoes" I bought at Tesco. I found them much more comfortable than boots, and at a fiver, it does not matter if I leave them in the float tube back to go mouldy!  :oops

Failing that, I also have a pair of proper diving "fins" that are worn with stocking foot waders, no need for a pair of boots.

 




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