Family Rafts??

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I've always been interested in river rafting. Now that my son is getting to the age where I'm comfortable taking him I'm starting to look at rafts.

What are your thoughts on a good quality family raft that can support a family of four (Eventually) on a small multi day trip. As in three days at the longest.

Some features I think I like are, Frames and Self Bailing.


We are starting on planning our summer trips and they are going to feature a couple of guided rafting trips. To see if we even enjoy it.

What are your thoughts...

[riverratrover]

Well as a guide on the Snake, I see a lot of different brands, my recommendations is find a good retailer and rent a few styles, see if you like the self bailing (i.e.. your feet are wet all day) or if your not doing serious white-water and willing to bail, so your a little drier. I'm a big fan of Aire rafts, good quality. A good boat will last you for ever as long as you take care of it. Sun and winter storage is what kills boats. As a good starter boat NRS makes a few that fit the pocket book nicely as well as get you started in your own boat.

Good Luck, and please wear your lifejacket when you row.

[kellymoe]

Check out www.nrsweb.com they have just about everything you need for getting started. www.sotar.com makes what I believe the sports car of rafts. www.hyside.com is another company that has become more popular.

For a multi day family trip I would go at least 16'. If you plan on doing smaller Western rivers a 14' would be a good size.

If you get into it and buy a boat let me know, my dad makes custom pumps that are top quality.

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info.

[4Rescue]

Aire is my favorite. But Sotar or Maravia are easily the nicest.

There are lots of options, Maravia, Vanguard (heavy but still good boats) Aire, Sotar etc. and they all have different series that vary in price and longevity/quality.

Aire however has an internal blader system that can really save your butt... I put a 4 foot gash in oue of our Cat tubes and we just stitched her up and went back to the beer!!! Stay away from their Livery series as these are just not up to snuff, ANY of their other boats are great and if you want hauling capacity and a low draw get a Cataraft. They can be set up to carry a few people and ALOT of camping gear and are more manuverable than ANY raft, they just have some handeling quirks depending on where you out the oar basket. Hint: Don't gfet a front oar... it's a crappy position to row from and the boat is squirly as all get out. Another plus to the cat, they ride real high out of the water so shallows are not as much of a problem. IE: you won't beach yourself if you miss-read a gravel bar

What type of paddling are you doing (rapid class? flat water etc?) that will make this descision a little easier.

Cheers

Dave

[kerry]

I have an 18' Achilles and a 16' Avon, both non self-bailers. Used non-self-bailers can be found pretty cheap. I picked up the Avon with frame and 4 oars for $600. The Achilles cost me $900 and it included frame, oars, cooler and repair kit. If you have kids, you have your bailers I also used to own a 16' Udisco for which I paid about $400 and which I rowed down the Grand Canyon. The 18' is really too big for technical rivers but good on wide big rivers. It takes more effort to row. I've taken 5 people on the 18' boat for 7 days and could probably do the same with the 16'.

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

I have an 18' Achilles and a 16' Avon, both non self-bailers. Used non-self-bailers can be found pretty cheap. I picked up the Avon with frame and 4 oars for $600. The Achilles cost me $900 and it included frame, oars, cooler and repair kit. If you have kids, you have your bailers I also used to own a 16' Udisco for which I paid about $400 and which I rowed down the Grand Canyon. The 18' is really too big for technical rivers but good on wide big rivers. It takes more effort to row. I've taken 5 people on the 18' boat for 7 days and could probably do the same with the 16'.

Very cool, thanks for the info. I appreciate everyone's help since I know nothing of rafts or rafting. Those seem to be great prices compared to what I've been looking at.