Everyone I know who has or has had a U-boat now has a round boat. Mine is a Caddis (~$100) I've had for about 6 years also and my previous one I had (and still have as a spare) is a Caddis I bought in 1985. The jury's still out on whether an actual tire tube or bladder is better. I've always fished the tire tube. You can inflate it nice and tight which I like. I have to replace the tube about every 2 years (costs $15 - $20). Rob said he has a bladder and has never had any problems. My friend Mike has a Caddis Proline that's runs about $140 and it is really nice!! My cousin got a Caddis similar to mine (Deluxe) at the Fred Hall Show for $30 brand new - I can't believe I didn't pick one up also - what was I thinking! Catching fish from a tube is so much fun - there's nothing like being right there at water level and having a nice halibut come up turn, splash you, make a nice run and pull you for a little ride (not to mention what would happen if you latch into a good seabass!).<P>I would say the best deal I've seen right now is the Caddis High Sierra Tube at Cabela's. I think it's the same as the Deluxe model and the website says it comes with a tire tube. It's only $79.99 and you get a free pair of fins (worth $19.99). The only problem is Cabela's only has red and I don't like it - they make other colors (green, brown, etc.). They also have the Proline for $124.99. See the website www.cabelas.com.<P>As for the harbor/wharf area I've been fishing it from shore since January and from a tube since April. During a warm period in January we were nailing halibut from shore. I got a 25.5 incher on a krocodile. Every once in a while I'll run down there for an hour or so. One morning before work I got five halibut in the 15 - 18 inch range in an hour. On a light rod with 6 - 8 lb. test they can be fun. It's very shallow and the bottom doesn't drop off very steep so you've got to use light (or shallow diving) lures. If you're out in a tube you can step up to heavier ones when you get out a little deeper (or find deeper holes).<P>Pete<P>You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.