Talk Some Sense Into Me about Rafts

[Deuce]

Really? Resurrecting a four month old thread to hawk your rafts all the way down here in Arkansas? That's pretty lame. I have nothing against Saturn rafts, but at least be upfront about the fact that you're marketing your product instead of disguising your ploy as objective beta. There are several vendors on this board, but they contribute, and they market their products honestly. If you're not a vendor prove it and I'll apologize. If you are a vendor man up. This ain't the buzz.

[okieboater]

Keep em honest Mr Deuce!!!!

[Fish]

I just purchased a used raft from Fish. Sure it was beat up real bad from hitting every rock in the Ocoee every time down the river. Sure the original blue color had faded to a translucent grayish-aqua. People warned me that the gaping holes in the side might leak some air. But I've been very happy with my purchase from Fish, and would definitely buy rafts from Fish again and probably buy Fish a beer next time because he's just such a great guy.

Ignore the man behind the curtain,
Fish

[Eric Esche]

To the poster Saturnrafts -Let me say I speak only as an individual who does not represent anyone else. I'm just one person who had done a lot of rafting, possibly more than anyone else in the club.

Seeing is believing. IF you want to prove your product quality, I would suggest you join ACC and the ACA and bring a dozen or so rafts and their acessories down to Rendevous and let folks here take them on the river trip event and or sponsor a raft surfing event during the rodeo to let folks see the quality of Saturn rafts. You might could even make a video while here of folks who are not biased, paid, and anonymous using your rafts. You might sell some rafts if they really are quality rafts. There will probably be rafts by other manufacturers there that folks could easily compare them to.

My observation is that for most of us in the ACC, buying a raft beyond Walmart or Sports Authority quality is different from buying a kayak or canoe for yourself. Rafts like this are bought to carry a lot of stuff or more people, or both, none of which you want to come home without - meaning you have more assumed risk now for more than just your own person, on water beyond a lake or flatwater. My standards of river worthyness might be higher than some other folks, but I would not buy a raft I would not put my family or someone else's family in and when I go and where I go, I do not want to have to swim or walk to the take out. It's not just a desire for a product that will last a long time, but one that handles well AND IS SAFE and reliably brings everyone back in one piece, to be used again on another trip. On a lot of the rivers in Arkansas, if they have enough water to handle a raft with a load, they often are at higher than normal levels, where you want a raft that is built better, even if it is not higher class whitewater, as it is faster now, with almost as many rocks and woody debris. Many of us go on trips east and out west to higher classed rivers and have still higher standards for what we will use a long ways from home. We've helped pull out the remains of several rafts on river cleanups here, and none of them were near the take outs. None of the ones I pulled out said SATURN, but their construction looked like what is shown in your advertising. IF you quote me on that last sentence, quote me with the entire sentence.

If it looks like a Duck.....

Bring some of your rafts down here and we can see for ourselves if they quack.

Eric Esche

[Deuce]

This is what you guys are gonna do when you see my gear pig at Rendezvous. Can't wait to meet a bunch of ACCers there.

[Deuce]

Oh, Eric, forgot to mention I wouldn't hold my breath for any Saturn demos. Korean ducks rarely get down to Arkansas.

[okieboater]

I have seen quite a few Star rafts on Arkansas Creeks. I believe they are made in Korea. My rafts were from Aire out of Idaho and super happy with them.

[Deuce]

I have seen quite a few Star rafts on Arkansas Creeks. I believe they are made in Korea. My rafts were from Aire out of Idaho and super happy with them.

Yeah, wasn't really knocking Korean rafts per se, just being a stinker about the Saturn dealer. I'm not even sure where my twenty plus year old Odyssey was made. Sure love it though. Like I said, it's a gear pig. Maybe I'll win that Bug!

[Eric Esche]

The Star and Aire rafts that I have seen in use or been in have all been without exception, quality products that I would have been pleased to have owned myself. These 2 brands seem to be the preferred brands with the majority of experienced ACC rafters and they have selected good rafts.

My toy funds are exhausted for this year due to medical expenses, but I can see me getting a raft again some day. Susan does not share this vision and says I need new glasses. Think I need to dig out the pictures of her smiling at the end of the day while deflating the rafts with friends, from back when we owned two 16' rafts. Was a bit different when we lived 7 miles from the US 76 bridge over the Chattooga, but I own a gear trailer now.

Eric Esche

[okieboater]

Yup, that Star 12 foot bug raft is a big 'Vous attraction for me as well. Due to gas costs and heat etc I was iffy on driving over to the Vous this year. That raffle tho has made me rethink that.

I have not rowed a star 12 foot but have been on trips where others were rowing them. Performance of the Star 12 on all trips has been pretty darn impressive for a raft that size.

For sure on runs like the Salt in AZ, numbers, browns, royal etc in CO I have seen excellent performance.

don't know about the other Star models but that 12 ft Bug is a gear hauling performance rig for gnarly technical runs based on what I have seen.

[Crane]

Dave, I'll pitch in on your gas (a little dab... maybe a ticket on the Star Raffel) to get to Rendezvous if you'll haul that Micro from Judy's to the Vous for me:) And, I'll let you give folks lessons on how to cook in a Dutch Oven! Holler at me if you think you can bring the boat! Thanks! crane

PS, I'll be buying a few tickets on that Star for myself, too:)

[okieboater]

Hard to resist that offer! Unless something bad happens, consider it done.

[Deuce]

Hard to resist that offer! Unless something bad happens, consider it done.

Sweet. Look forward to meeting you.

[Clif]

Still got a smaller raft... Like this bug I will win!!... high on my want list. Primary use, to haul kids. My cataraft worked great with me and 4 kids(?) on the rockport run, but a more portable and frameless rig will help.

[Crane]

Clif, Remember that the Lightening Bug has big tubes... good for flotation but not so good for using as a paddle-raft. However, for rowing kids anywhere, it would be great:) Crane