Maxxon XPW 240 All you need to get on the water

So I have been lucky enough to have the ability to test and review some really great boats recently.  I have recently been using the XPW 240 from Maxxon Inflatable.  So let me start with this hybrid boats might be expensive but they are so worth every penny.  A hybrid is a float tube that is bladderless and tough. So many think that bladderless boats leave you with the possibility of catastrophic failure, and I was concerned about this as well.  But once I inflated the first Hybrid I was confident that I would be safe. These boats are built to last.

The Maxxon Inflatable XPW 240 is a drop-stitch flat float tube that is unusual looking.  Once you get on this boat and kick offshore you quickly notice this Hybrid boat is one solid and stable boat.  The size of the XPW 240 is almost 8' long and 4' wide and weighs 40 pounds.  Right away you can see that this is a large inflatable that can seem tough to move from the truck to the water.  First, it packs down into a bag that can be put in the trunk of a car with a lot of room left over. Also, you can simply carry it to the water as it has 2 handles perfectly placed to make it balanced and light when you carry it.  

The XPW 240 when on the water is just so comfortable and moves like a dream.  I have been in float tubes for a long time they move with such easy it's amazing.  So I really thought at first it would take more work and effort to move this boat in the water.  I figured I would be tired after struggling to kick this big inflatable in the water. Well, there is nothing further from the truth.  These flatboats glide over the surface of the water and have no drag. I remember being in the sling seat float tubes way back when. Those had drag as half your body was in the water, so it stands to reason the less of you in the water the less drag.  Of course, besides you not being in the water, there is less tube in the water as well. This boat sits right on top of the water.

The XPW 240 by Maxxon Inflatables is one of the top leave boats on the market.  I can safely say you will be happy with a boat like this any questions please ask I am happy to share more details floattubefishingforum73@gmail.com / https://squareup.com/store/floattubeforum

Our Evolution and finding our way back.

     The FTFF has been running for almost 9 years now.  We started with the intention of growing our sport of Float Tube Fishing through social media conversation and gatherings.  We had a great time building a successful network of float tube fishermen all over the world.  We had a slow start but grew fast once the word got out.  Our members were and continue to be some of the best members in the world.  Friendly and willing to share all there secrets for the most part.
   
      We continued this success for the last 8 years and with our size and a little convincing, we moved from just a conversation group to a tournament platform as well.  The goal was and would always be no money up for grabs just simple prizes.  The reason for no money is that it tends to bring out the rougher side of competition and that is not the idea we were looking for.  We ran this for about 3 years and we had some pretty good success with it, but even with the success, there were issues as well.  We tried our best to resolve some of the issues, one of which was evening the playing field for the Weekend worrier to the fish all week kind of competitor.  Our points system grow and changed as well as some of the basic rules event after event.  Always with the input of the competitors at least those that wanted to put there 2 cents in.  The hardest part of the running tournament is you can never make everyone happy.

     There is always one in the crowd, and these tournaments were no different, someone always got there nose out of joint.  Some of the concerns were warranted but others were simply a lack of reading the rules or messages that were sent out.  Even despite these things we motored on and continued to improve until this last tournament.  The other issue we had was when the tournament began the normal conversation on the forum stopped.  Its as if the tournament took over of the 3 months it was running.

    This was tough on the forum as the start of the forum was all out conversation and gatherings, without this the forum really was not the same.  We tried to figure out how to combat this but really had no solution.  We have made some hard decisions but it was in the best interest for the longevity of the forum.   We have stopped the tournaments for now, and have moved back into our old platform of conversation and gatherings.  So if you are looking for tournaments we will be working to bring it back in time, but if you are looking for a caring fun and informative community of float tube fishermen look no further, The Float Tube Fishing Forum is waiting for you.

Float Tube Fishing Forum, Free to join and free to talk

Float Tube Buyers Guide from my eyes

     I have been tubing now for the last 20 years.  I started off in a Browning u-boat which served me well over the years.  I fished it as much as I could and got some great use out of it.  Of course like most sports we are always looking for what is new and better.  I soon found the next best things started to move up in tubes.  Here is what I have floated in over that past 20 years.

• Browning Uboat
• Gallatin Pontoon boat
• Kennebec Pontoon
• Togiak Fishing Float Tube
• U-Boat 2000
• Big Horn Float Tube
• Caddis Pro 2000
• Stillwater Talon
• ODC 420
• Cumberland 
• Seven Bass Flatform

     Over the years I have had lots of experience in different types of tubes as you can see.  I have been able to fish them in different situations and locations.  I have built rod racks and fish finder mounts for them and have generally learned a lot as far as what worked best at least for me.  So what should you look for when you are buying your first or next float tube.

     I believe after fishing in the float tubes with sling bottom seats that being high out of the water is a plus, and would be what most are looking for.  However I have noticed that the higher you are out of the water the more you are at the mercy of the wind that comes up when you are on the water.  It is simple the more body under the water the less you are moved by the wind.  Of course the flip side is the more body in the water the more you are subject to the currents of the water.  So be sure to look at the areas you intend to fish and choose what would work best for you.

     I think the next thing to look at is the tackle storage pockets, some boats have different designs but they are not all equal.    I like the pockets that open to one large pouch using 2 zippers on either end, like what is found on the Cumberland.  The pockets that have 2 pockets on each side that opens with one zipper for each side limit the ability to put in and take out your tackle with out any issues.  Plus the sides matters you need enough room to put in your small size tackle boxes.  A quick fix for these issue are smaller sized tackle boxes or zip lock bags to hold your tackle, this may not be an option for some.

     Next you should be thinking of weight of the overall tube.  This matters especially if you are like to hike to those back country fishing spots.  Some tubes are pretty heavy some are amazing light and still some are right in the middle.  I have used some very light weight tubes and they worked well but in most cases lacked the other things I liked in a float tube like small pockets or low seats.  I have used much heavier tubes as well which have the quality and float high ability, but the weight does limit the distance you can park away form the water.  In my opinion if you are like me, you don't hike but you do like to find new waters, weight can be and issue and you want to find the tube that fits your weight needs.

     Finally you should also be looking for overall quality, or could I say longevity.  It is nice to have a boat that you know will last you a few seasons of fishing, and one that can take the abuse we have can put or tubes through.  The old adage is you get what you pay for and in the world of float tube fishing that is so true.  You can spend as light as $80 and as much as $1500 what is your budget and what are you looking for.  If you are someone that maybe goes out 2 or 3 times a year and just for the heck of it, maybe the low cost options are a good deal for you.  Whoever if you are someone that heads out 2 to 3 time a month or more and fishing is a true passion and not just a fun occtional activtiy they you will be looking to spend some money to get a float tube that with with stand the infalte and deflate over and over again and the constent tossing in and out of your truck or car.  It is very true you get what you pay for.  But even if you buy on the lower end of the scale as long as you take care of your boat you can make it last. 

     I have tried many different tubes over that last 20 years some were great and some were not.  Some I miss and some I do not, if you are looking to get in to this sport I hope I gave you some insight and helped you naviagate the wide world of float tubes that are out there.  Shop around and ask around there is a lot of info out there you just need to search it out.   The sport of float tube fishing is a passion of mine and I know it might not be for everyone, but if you get the right tube you might have a better experiance then you thought.  Good luck and happy shopping.

Float Tube Fishing Forum Quarterly Magazine Vol: 5 Iss: 1

It is a pleasure to build and publish these magazines for the Float Tube Fishing Community.  I hope you enjoy reading them as much as we enjoy building them.  It is tough sometimes but in the end, we are pretty happy with what we produce.  Remeber if you ever have suggestions, comments, or would like to submit an article please contact us at floattubefishingforum73@gmail.com

No here is our most current issue Volume-5 Issue-1

Volume: 5 Issue: 1

Float Tube Fishing Guiding in Southern California

I was in my 20's when I first started float tube fishing and it has now been more than 20 years for me.  I can say that is you love to fish like me you will love to float tube like me as well.  I have enjoyed this sport so much that I built the Float Tube Fishing Forum, and have even started Writing our own online Magazine "Float Tube Fishing Forum Quarterly Magazine".  There is something about it this that just makes it so exciting.  I think its that you are in the element with your catch which is so much fun and unique.  Also just being on the water can be so relaxing and I am sure that you will enjoy this sport Float Tube Fishing just as much as I have for the last 20 years. 

So I would like to offer once again my services if you would like to go on a trip to a local Southern California location and try for the first time float tube fishing I can do that for you.  We can fish one of the following locations.

• Puddingstone
• Santa Fe Dam
• Newport Harbor 
• Huntington Harbor
• Los Alamitos Harbor

Cost would be as follows 

• $100 per person for 4 hours on the water 
• $125 per person for 6 hours on the water
• $150 per person for 8 hours on the water

I can take 2 adults at a time and I will provide float tubes and PFD's (if needed).  You can also rent from me a rod and reel if needed for $10 per trip, and if needed I can provide tackle.  Fins and waders (if needed) can also be provided but if you have pair's that fit would be best for you (another $10 charge per person per trip). 

I cannot guaranty that we will catch fish but I can guaranty that you will have fun, be safe and learn all you need to know about float tube fishing and the ability to begin float tube fishing on your own.  You can contact me here or by e-mail floattubefishingforum73@gmail.com

I can float tube most weekend Saturday - Sunday, please allow at least a minimum of 2 weeks to set up a trip and by the time summer starts, I will be available most often Monday through Sunday.