LIFE AFTER FLOAT TUBES 
by Denis Peirce

I'm in a minority of three about float tubes. I learned to cast back in canoe days and, with decent paddle and pole skills, feel a canoe gets you there faster and moves you more efficiently than tubes. Some tubes work better than others. U-shapes supposedly ease access. Foam tubes eliminate leaks. Rectangular tubes tend not to go round and round. Tubes are easy to learn to use even though an outdoor writing buddy's tests show the most popular fins are the least effective. You don't usually fall out either, but you can see from the hard shell tubes and catamaran options now coming out in fleets that there's something missing here. 

Given the choice I'd paddle the old Grumman canoe I guided from in California or row by Coleman Scanoe(r) from the center seat to the casting action. Other choices worth a look are various McKenzie style river boats.