The History of Float Tubes (belly boats)

" Fish-N-Float " Float tubes may seam like a fairly new invention but not so. Prior to the 1940's, early pioneers of these crafts fastened some type of seat across a car tire tube providing a means to get to the fish. It was during the 1940's when a small commercial tube manufacture surfaced. The Tucker Duck & Rubber Company of Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Tucker Duck & Rubber Company of Fort Smith, Arkansas   The tube was plagued with problems. They were very heavy when wet and the seams would fall apart fairly rapidly. Even so, the “ Fish-N-Float ” was a success and was the first to offer attached waders to the canvas tube.

With the initial success of the " Fish-N-Float " competition soon surfaced. In 1947, we saw the quick connect seat release appear on the tube scene with a new company out of Oklahoma City. The Fishmaster Mfg. Company became a major supplier offering more and more models over the next few years. 

In The 1950's, Western anglers that pioneered the early tubes made many custom modifications including:

• Pockets
• Backrests
• Pouches
• Tie down rings
• Front aprons
• Large back pockets that could be stuffed or inflated to provide back support and comfort

Anglers mostly from Idaho and Colorado are responsible for the float tube design as we see it today. But canvas covered tubes had 2 major faults. The tube weight, once it became saturated from use, was very heavy and the canvas needed to be preserved to protect its life.

Vinyl laminated tubes...

These tubes were the next step towards the modern tube. Although they offered users a lightweight alternative, these vinyl tubes saw many problems like tubes exploding from over pressure and the vinyl not expanding and contracting. In the 1970's we saw the first float tubes surface in fly-fishing magazines. By the mid 70's float tubes were starting to show up on many lakes in Colorado and Montana. Vast improvements in materials brought about the first 3.3-pound tube that could support a 300lb person. In the transition to the 1980's the first pack able tubes were marketed to fisherman. The 1980's also brought us our first buyer's guides, along with many how to articles.

Today's tubes...

Today we see rich featured, very comfortable and affordable float tubes. Most come with carrying straps, tons of cargo space and inflatable back rests that can be used as a backup safety floatation device incase your main bladder or tube gets a leak. Float tubes have proven themselves to be one of the most convenient and most effective ways to fish small lakes.