Has anyone successfully modded the use of oars on there float tube? Like a pontoon boat or row boat would have.

NOt yet but there are some designs out there and one of the guys here was working on something have not heard from him in a while. I hope it is going well for him and we hear something soon.

Saw this about a year ago , I think it was on the float tube store . might be what your looking for if they still carry it or give you an idea to make one yourself

Jeffcpr, do you recall which member that was ?

Misfitdog, not graspiing how the oars connect to the oar lock. Do you recall a price?

If you wanna use oars just get a small pontoon. It's not worth all the work to locate and install and to add on top of all that with your lags in the water it's defeating the purpose of using the oars with all that drag. That's why all pontoons have those feet rest to get your lags/feet out of the water.

I never got around to installing oars onto my tube. I would say to just go with a kayak paddle and paddle in reverse. It almost accomplishes the same thing. You do get some significant speed that way.

I do have a collapsible kyak paddle for the tube. But have not used it. Most times I forget to bring it or don't bring it because the front of my tube is better suited for a live well.

Thought perhaps someone out in the tubing world had taken on the oar mounted to the tube challenge. Or could throw around some thoughts as to what to use, if starting from scratch.

Like, is there PVC parts in the plumbing dept. of the local home building supply warehouse that would suffice?

I had considered the legs in the water drag issue. Plus, there is a reaction created from the rowing stroke, constantly wanting to pull you out of your seat. Another reason for foot rests, to leverage against the rowing stroke but also create more leverage for a stronger longer rowing stroke.

I wouldn't mind trying oars, without foot rests if it were easily and reasonably priced to give it a go.  

Check my Photo MotoBoat there is a design right there you could get some great idea's off of , I can think of 3 different ways to make that conversion work . just from the photo

Wes

misfitdog, care to share your thought? I have stared at that picture and am coming up blank!

Check our Outcast Korea

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[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] wrote:Check our Outcast Korea

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They have a Fish Cat 4 with the oars attached to the storage pocket!!

I personally love the Outcast Commander. It's got the best of both worlds as a yak/tube hybrid

Those strap on oars could work just fine. Attach while tube is not fully inflated. Then attach a nylon strap between the two tips of the tube long enough to put you feet on fully extended.
Outcast is manufacturing their smaller tubes and toons over seas now. The Commander was a copy of Dave Scadden's Escalade made back in 2000. As are the Stealth and the Scout, but understandable. Dave Scadden was head designer for Outcast and came up with the Super Fat Cat.
Points of interest, the Commander, Stealth and Scout are single bladder....one valve.
Look at the original. North Fork Outdoors. Bladderless so lighter, no adjusting bladders, no zippers for sand or dirt to get in and did I mention lighter. Brand new one coming out, The Stingray, Check out around 4:00 These are totally inflatable with drop stitch floors that are hard to the touch and can withstand studs (not recommended)
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I am not a sales person for NFO, but I do own several of these models.

Any idea if there is an English version of bellyfishing.com?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] wrote:Any idea if there is an English version of bellyfishing.com?

NO sorry but you can see the English version if you use Google Translator