Rafts

[RomanLA]

I'd like to find a raft to bring my kids out on the river (class I-III). I'll probably try to find something used to save money. Other than self bailing, what other features should I be looking for? Thanks!

[robkanraft]

If you want a family raft, go for a 14 or 15'. There is some nice used stuff out there, watch the NRS gear swap on the NRS website.

[RIORESIDENT]

class 1-3, I wouldn't worry about selfbailing. alot of big water, western boaters use non-bailers. I use a bailer, but its not a needed feature, for a day run with the kids.

you can find non-bailers in the 14 foot rangew for 500.00 all day long. as rob mentioned, the NRS webpage for gear swap, there are several others worth mention.

Boatertalk, gearswap
mountainbuzz swap page
river trader, yahooo group

[scott yarbrough]

For class II and III self bailers are like trucks with air conditioning. A nice feature but not neccesary to go down the road. IMO bucket boats are less likely to flip and or to get surfed in a hole. They seem to go over wave trains like fast moving catapillars rather than rigid platforms. The floor seems to "stick" to the surface of the water and will pull you through all but the biggest holes. That's the good part to a standard floor raft.

The bad stuff is they are not as quick and nimble. If you take on fifty gallons of water in one rapid, now you have a "barge" going downstream until you pump out the water. Bailing water is your passenger's ticket to ride. The floors are easily punctured if somebody steps onto the floor in shallow water.(make passengers step on the tubes, not the floor when getting in)

If you go too big you limit the amount of rivers where you can use it. Somewhere between 500 and several thousand for used rafts depending on how new and yadi yadi yadi. Don't be scared off because a raft is 10 years old or more. If it has been keep indoors and is in good condition the age don't seem to matter that much.

Mtn Buzz has it going on with used rafts. Or check with some of the local outfitters and get on their list of people to call when they update their fleet. .02 SYOTR

[Clif]

Buy mine!!! If you not in a hurry I can deliver it to ya.

Like Scott said, I have oared and paddled mine down many rivers here. Flipping is not very likely. It will make a faily dry ride if you are careful... of course it is much more fun to hit the biggest waves and holes. Then you got sloshed a bit.

[okieboater]

Agreed, for most of us, any 14 foot self bailer is gonna be the raft of choice.

Bucket boats are indeed cheaper, but self bailers are the hot deal and if a person rows much more than locally, they will eventually sell the bucket boat and go for a self bailer.

I am a gear freak and go thru a lot of toys. If a person wants to get into rafting take advantage of what I spent a lot of money to find out.

If a person buys any of the current respected brand name self bailer 14 footers, up front, that raft may well last them a life time. Even if you row the Piney, paddle boat the ocoee, run the middle fork of the salmon or take that trip of a lifetime run down the grand canyon.

I have a 18 ft Aire Cat Boat and it is indeed the fun boat for big water. Comfortable to set on, plenty of open space and it is a hoot to use. But most of the time I use my Aire 143 Self Bailer and it is the boat of choice for most of the raft trips I get to go on.