Talk Some Sense Into Me about Rafts

[bmartin]

I was thinking of buying a raft and really not ready to jump in the game for $2000+ with the legit NRS and Aire type rafts. I was thinking I might raft 2-3x / year on some CII-CIII like Il Bayou and every once in a while run something like the Tot or Richland. Not looking for something commercial grade, but at the same time do not want to fool with something that will shred into pieces after the first solid encounters and be left with an oversized grill cover at the end of the day.

Anybody have thoughts on these rafts? They are made of 5 layer PVC (1100 D reinforced polymer) and you can get them under a grand and are Chinese imports so I'm naturally skeptical, but they LOOK decent. I know they are not comparable to NRS, but thought these might work for someone like me who would be an occassional rec type rafter. I would rather get a real raft but spending $2000+ makes it a non-starter. Thoughts?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Raft-Whitewater-Sel ... 19c4ac16a7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://aceboats.en.alibaba.com/product/ ... _Raft.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Deuce]

I just got into the rafting game myself and like you wanted to do it as cheaply as possible. The number of research hours I logged would put a doctoral student to shame, but that's just how I roll. I like it. My plan was to get a raft and frame to use on multi-day float trips on the lower Buffy, Spring, Ouachita et al. Mainly class I-II streams. I ended up paying an outfitter in Oregon $400 plus shipping (hundred bucks or so as I recall) for an old hypalon bucket boat. Bought the thing sight unseen and it turned out to be exactly as the seller advertised. I ordered fittings and accessories from a very helpful gentleman in Idaho and with some patient input from him and a couple of guys on here built my own frame, which did save me a few bucks ($150 maybe), but more importantly was a lot of fun and resulted in a custom rig suited to my needs. The final product is a gear pig that will move two guys and a ludicrous preponderance of stuff SLOWLY down the river. Total cost was $1800 or so I think. However, even without the frame and gear I can't imagine taking it down the Tot or Richland. It's just too big and heavy. The advertised boats appear to be 14 footers, so if that's your favorite kind of water I'd consider getting something smaller. That said, they're probably okay, but I'd be concerned about the vendor. Who knows what you'd really end up with, and if you had any issues it's unlikely you'd be able to get them resolved. I'd check NRS gear swap and Mountainbuzz. There's a nice little twelve footer on the buzz for $900 and the seller (if he still has it) is willing to ship. Also, there's an outfit called RM Rafts that sells cheap boats and demos and has a good reputation among serious rafters. Might check with him. Hope that helps. Good luck.

[bmartin]

I was not looking at that raft specifically, but a 12 foot version of what is in that link. Same materials and vendor though. Might be able to get a 12' for $600+ship. I will check out this RM outfit. Mostly wanted to know if those materials look decent enough. I really can't talk tech on PVC 1100D or other raft materials .

Thanks.

[okieboater]

buy a used Aire super puma and have a reliable raft that will give you and a couple buds the rides of your life in AR and elsewhere.

I see way too many horror stores of these "good" deals on el cheapo foreign rafts.

[Clif]

Plenty of used rafts in Montany and Washington and Ideho etc... not too common around here?

[Eric Esche]

I used to do the commercial raft gear maintenance for a raft company on the Chattooga for like 5 years full time. I owned and maintained 2 hypalon bucket rafts of my own for 5 years, and have helped patch up over 100 rafts in the 14 years I was a guide.

I would not go with the chinese rafts, nor would I get the Saturn rafts or the Canadian importer (different names), as the ones I have seen were of poor quality, and the stories I have heard were all that they would not stand behind their products.

Self bailing is definately the way to go if you can find a good one in your price range, but bucket raft will be cheaper and they are do-able. I prefer 20-24" tubes for comfort of the raft crew.

I'd try to find a used commercial raft or near commercial raft (Aire, NRS)in my price range. If you get a good one, it will probably have resale value if you ever want to up grade or go up or down in size. I like bigger rafts (16-18') personally, but a 12-15 foot raft should work very well here in Arkansas, if not better than the 16-18' size.

If I hear of a good one, I will let you know. I see them in my surfing, and have found them for others. I used to have a list of sites to surf for used rafts. Send me a PM with your email, and I will try to find it.

Star rafts are a good in between brand in general and SOTAR rafts are strong but heavy.

BTW - Adding Chaffing strips, top or bottom, is a job for a professional who has the experience and the proper facilties to do the glue job, but worth having for the life of the raft. If getting an ex-commercial rowing raft for a paddle raft, take a close look at the "D" ring placement, and the amount of Kick (aka rocker). EX-float fishing rigs tend to have very little kick and tend to make for a wetter and slower ride. Some rowing rigs make lousy paddle rafts due to the "D" rings being where you want to have paddlers sitting or paddleing. And if it comes with Oarring stobs, it probably isn't anything you want, even if you saw them off.

Eric Esche - your milage may vary.

[bmartin]

Thanks for the helpful posts. After some more research I have come to the conclusion that Saturn and a few of the U.S. / Canadian dealers all source their boats to that Ace outfit in China. Dimensions, colors, materials, and even the pics on assembly are identical. It seems clear that if you go that route you are pretty much on your own, except if you go through a dealer like RM which seems they would support their products, but that support is over a 1000 miles away.

I called the folks at RM and they were very helpful and have a demo 12' self bailer of their own brand that sounded pretty good, but was more than my budget would permit.

Guess I will keep on trolling.

[Deuce]

Pretty sure the Saturns, while much maligned, are made in Korea and are not affiliated with Ace. Then again, as your inquiries and others' input have revealed, who really knows? :shock: Try searching CL in the whitewater states. Increased supply out there is your friend. You'll be surprised how many sellers will do a Paypal transaction and ship to you. Good luck. You'll find one.

[okieboater]

Mountain Buzz always has a bunch of rafts for sale
Check them out

As Deuce sez, most will ship or you load up the rice burner and drive out to do on site inspection before you buy - taking a vacation along the way.

I purchased two Aire boats direct from the factory at good discounts by catching end of year sales also most of the big dealers clear out inventory at end of year. My Aires were first quality. Almost all the manufacturers like Aire, Marivia, SOTAR will do close outs, returns or blems just keep checking their web sites.

NOC has a big sale every fall. Their rafts and others are invited to the multi day party time event.

I have become a big fan of blems on boats from the factory. Most have the full warranty and are cosmetic.

Money is tight and retail prices go up every month, but there is still quality out there a person just has to patiently search it out.

[robkanraft]

I've owned two Vanguards in different sizes. I won't wear the 14' one I have now out in my lifetime.

[okieboater]

I have several rafting buds in various states with Vanguards and all have good things to say about them. I have been on different rivers with them and they do as well as any of the rest of us do in Aires, Hysides, NRS, Marivias etc etc.

[Deuce]

Here are a couple. First one might be too big, but sure looks like a deal. Second one is considerably smaller. Have no idea whether they'd be willing to ship.
http://www.mountainbuzz.com/swap/showpr ... rame&cat=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.mountainbuzz.com/swap/showpr ... 5-27&cat=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Deuce]

Here's another one. Bucket boat, but would be a GREAT starter rig. Rigged out and ready to get wet.

http://www.mountainbuzz.com/swap/showpr ... rade&cat=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Deuce]

Puma on NRS Gear Swap for $1300. Here be the link. Just sayin'.


http://www.nrsweb.com/services/gearswap ... e=1&catID=*" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[saturnrafts]

There are so many people out there telling you what to buy and what to stay away from. I bought a Saturn boat. Everyone told me not to because it was made from PVC and had glued seems… the list goes on. But I still am enjoying the boat and those other suckers spent thousands more on other brands. In my mind they all do the same thing. Take a leap!