Print Page | Close Window

Newbie raft purchasing advice Printed From: ProfessorPaddle.com Category: General Forum Name: Whitewater Forum Forum Discription: Open Discussion Forum. Whitewater related subjects only URL: http://www.professorpaddle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14455 Printed Date: 02 Sep 2026 at 5:15am Topic: Newbie raft purchasing advice Posted By: paddlemonster Subject: Newbie raft purchasing advice Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 11:41am I see quite a lot of "off brand" rafts out on eBay and Craigslist. I was wondering as to what kind of features/materials I should be looking out for and what makes a raft appropriate for whitewater aside from obvious features like self bailing and whatnot. How do these off brand rafts compare to those made by AIRE or NRS and being half the price or less are they worthwhile? Can I safely run class IV and V in these cheaper rafts? I'm not looking to run a guide company just take some friends down some class III and IV and perhaps eventually move into some harder stuff. Replies: Posted By: Jed Hawkes Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 12:31pm the biggest sacrifice in a cheaper raft will be the material and the care they take in gluing the seams. But each company has their own issues. Another issue is the way that the thwarts are installed. Hi end folks will have straps sewn to the thwarts and then the straps go through the lacing. Some of the cheaper companies use a Batten which is fine for easy stuff but don't really stand up to heavy action, particularly if you are getting in the vertical world. Also the Handles on the cheaper rafts are garbage. As far as "off Brands" go Rocky mountain makes a pretty nice looking raft and it's made out of PVC. ------------- The line will become apparent 978-273-7723

Print Page | Close Window