I have tested... / Flatform, the ultimate float tube from Seven Bass Design!

Before we start testing the Flatform, we might as well start with some good news. Seven Bass Design is offering readers of Fishing.news a promotional code for a 15% discount on all orders placed on the brand's website (promotional code = STAZ15).

The Flatform is characterized by two things: its unique shape and the material from which it is made: dropstich.

Using dropstich allows the boat to be inflated to a fairly high pressure, providing a rigid, hard base. What's more, this material is very strong and difficult to puncture.

This, combined with the special shape of the Flatform, provides a structure that can be walked on without deforming, in the same spirit as a paddle board.

The included seat is also inflatable and has a large backrest, providing both comfort and a high position above water level. The design differs from that seen elsewhere.

It's built to the same thickness throughout, and takes on its own shape when inflated, whereas in general, seats are made in two equal parts with a thin part in the middle, which serves to shape the seat, which itself is held in place by straps.

This second design has the disadvantage of being prone to wear and leakage, due to the movement between the two parts. In contrast, the design chosen by Seven Bass Design offers excellent durability for this seat, given that there is no friction between the two sections.

Once inflated, the straps don't really affect the inclination, so if you want to adjust it, you have to play with the air pressure inside the seat, rather than the position of the straps. Personally, I find that inflating it to 6 psi is ideal.

As far as the seat is concerned, it's not compulsory to use it, and there are two possible scenarios! The first, with the seat, complicates access to the rear of the float-tube. In this case, use without a motor or with a remote-control motor is ideal.

If you remove the seat, you can both sit and stand on the flatform. This second configuration allows you to fully discover the flatform's strong point, which is its ability to stand upright, and this is where this boat really comes into its own!

In this second configuration, it's very easy to get in and out, to stand up and access the stern. It's the ideal boat for exploring shallow environments with obstacles to overcome, while giving maximum ease of movement, without being "stuck" in your seat, as with a traditional float-tube. In this configuration, it's important to keep the centreboard out of the way to avoid snagging on the bottom.

Indeed, underneath the boat is a centerboard, which stabilizes the boat and keeps it on course, especially in windy conditions.

In terms of transportability, it's no surprise that with its dimensions of 2 meters by 1.6 meters and its weight of 15.4 kilograms, this is not its strong point. So, above all, it's a float-tube that you inflate close to the car, and then launch into the water. It can't be carried as a backpack, which is understandable, but there are two handles on the top, making it easy to transport the boat over short and medium distances.

If you ever want to take it further, the flatform comes with a carrying backpack, so you can easily take it with you and inflate it once you're at the water's edge.

In terms of navigation, this float-tube is optimized for long trips in open areas, but it's still at ease in small environments where you need to maneuver quickly.

The Flatform's height is low, both in and out of the water.

In terms of maneuverability, there's nothing to worry about: it's quick and easy to change direction.

In terms of workmanship, it's very clean, the cuts are precise, the connections between the different parts are smooth, there are no bubbles, no traces of glue or over-thickness, it inspires confidence, it's really a beautiful, meticulous build!

When it comes to included accessories, Seven Bass Design is very generous, and the Flatform is sold directly with a multitude of them!

So we've got a vertical electric motor mount that would be a shame not to use! It's easy to install and remove, just remember to bring a 13 mm wrench.

A little tip for this bracket: for greater speed and simplicity, simply replace the two original broken rings with two pins.

Indeed, the strong point of this float-tube family is navigation. Unlike traditional V-shaped float-tubes, the Flatform and its variants can be sailed both forwards and backwards. Backwards, speed is limited, making it ideal for vertical fishing, while forwards, speed can be cranked up to the maximum for moving around, or for sharpshooting while moving forward, which is not really feasible with a traditional float-tube.

I should even say two motor mounts, as the other option is to place a submerged motor in the space originally reserved for the centerboard. Seven Bass Design also offers two motors, the KAHE POD 160 and the KAHE POD 600, which are positioned below the boat.

There are also three pre-installed Plug & Go bases, for quick attachment of accessories such as a probe holder, echo sounder screen or camera boom.

Several of these accessories and bases are available directly from Seven Bass Design, to perfect the organization of your float-tube. Having these three bases already glued is a real plus, as you can be sure that they're glued in the best possible way, by the manufacturer himself.

As mentioned above, the Flatform comes in a large backpack, the Denali. When using the Flatform for the very first time, I recommend taking a good look at how it's folded, and doing the same when storing it.

What's more, two removable saddlebags are included for storing gear. They are large and wide, perfect for big bait boxes.

Last but not least, the Flatform comes with an assortment of "MOLLE" fasteners, so you can customize your boat as you wish.

The Flatform is a boat that stands out from the crowd for its originality. A sort of hybrid between a conventional float-tube and a paddle board, it combines the best of both worlds! There's no need to worry about its shape, which is actually beneficial in many ways.

The fact that it comes with a good number of accessories gives it excellent value for money, especially given the technology and materials used, as well as its build quality.

The multitude of details shows that this is a product that has been studied and used over a long period of time, resulting in a near-perfect, not to say perfect, product!

Accessories to complete the package are diving fins and a pump, which I recommend is electric, as inflating a boat to 8 Psi is time-consuming and quite exhausting, and it's better to save your time and energy for the fishing session.