Where to buy inner tube for abalone float?

Any idea??  I have never seen inner tubes for sale.....

Also, I will be buying a bag later.  What size tube should I buy that will have the best fit?  Thanks.

Forget the innertube. Go with pool noodles instead.

I've got a float in my garage that has a punctured tube. I need to convert it over to pool noodles. The tubes can puncture when ab diving and WILL puncture if you put rock fish in them. I'm trying to come up with a design for a rectangular float using 3 liter soda bottles. It would be an almost weightless boogie board that could float a lot of weight.

You know you want this! Let me know, I have manufactured the flag mount.

Or this one, complete w/ backpack straps.

Hey Tote,
I noticed you have the strap on long fins. How do they work?

Hey Tote,
I noticed you have the strap on long fins. How do they work?

I like 'em. I haven't used the full foot so I can't compare them to that.
I don't like walking on the rocks w/o a decent sole on my booties. That's why I opted for the strap.

Bluestar,

It would help to know where you are located so we can give some ideas where to shop.

As far as a tube... just go by a tire shop and ask for a tube. They usually have some sitting around that they will give you or for cheap,  or nothing. They will usually give you ones that have a hole in them and then you just stick a patch on it and go.
SIZE MATTERS.... it is important to get a tube that will fit in your cover.I tell them it's for taking my daughter to the beach and they are more than happy to find a good one. The last cover I bought came with a perfect fitting tube, about $70. bucks total

Hi, I'm in the Redwood City area.  Thanks.  I just don't recall ever noticinng any place that sells inner tubes.

Both the pool noodle idea and the boogie board above look interesting...  One question I have is, it seems I can ride the tube floatation like a sturdy boat, both on the way out to ocean and during resting periods...  Do the noodle flotation and the boogie board offer the same?  Or, is my impression even correct??

Bluestar,

It would help to know where you are located so we can give some ideas where to shop.

Hi, I'm in the Redwood City area.  Thanks.  I just don't recall ever noticinng any place that sells inner tubes.
Both the pool noodle idea and the boogie board above look interesting...  One question I have is, it seems I can ride the tube floatation like a sturdy boat, both on the way out to ocean and during resting periods...  Do the noodle flotation and the boogie board offer the same?  Or, is my impression even correct??

Yes, you can use both the same as you would a float with an innertube.
The boogie board is much faster going out and coming in, especially if you can catch a wave on the way in.
The boogie board is a bit tipsy when anchored or tied off to kelp. The abs sit on top and a swell will flip the BB.
Overall I prefer the tube with the pool noodles inside. No worries about needing to find a pump if the tube gets low. No worries about spine punctures leaving you without floatation OTW. I can also treat it a bit rougher when walking thru brush or scaling cliffs. I can toss it over the side and not worry about losing any air.

I like the noodle concept. Where can you buy the bigger noodles? I only see the little ones and want to find some bigger ones for my kayak also. If you need a tube or any ab gear I usually stop on the way out of Peteluma at the Dive shop. They have good prices on pretty much everything a fishing and ab diver needs. I bought a new float with tube for around 65  last year.

I like the noodle concept. Where can you buy the bigger noodles? I only see the little ones and want to find some bigger ones for my kayak also. If you need a tube or any ab gear I usually stop on the way out of Peteluma at the Dive shop. They have good prices on pretty much everything a fishing and ab diver needs. I bought a new float with tube for around 65  last year.

I have purchased them from Walmart, Kmart and of all places Albertsons.
You just have to keep looking.
Before I found the big noodles I would zip tie the small ones together.
I found a long, thin rectangular foam thingy ( can't call it a noodle because of it's shape but made of the same stuff ) and I use it on the outer edge of the noodle in the tube. This gives the float nice high sides as if there was a tube inside.