Cataraft Club

[Steelheader69]

I thought I'd post this over this over here also so I could get some more input on it. I'm trying to start up a club for men and women who have catarafts. It'll be a fishing club (we could expand into more whitewater trips depending on experience and such). This will be a free club, no expenses or membership dues at current time (I'm planning on doing internet mailings instead of postal). Basically as of now, I plan on making it a group float type scenerio. We could make "exchange a float" trips. I'd make up a form to fill out with more about you, rivers you're experienced on, and so forth. Then, we could just go at a leisure, and then have a big float. I know there are a few groups in OR and WA already (they're exclusively whitewater though, such as the NWRA) but I want a fishing cat club. I may even expand into actual rafts (inflatables). Any input and willing to sign up will help. As of right now I have about 3 people who are interested. I can start small either way, but would like a few more people to give it more of a jump start.

Thanks, and if you know of someone who has a cataraft and doesn't have an internet hookup, just tell them about it and you can email me with their names/address so I can snailmail them info.

Thanks.....Jerry

------------------
You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

[Deleted User]

Hi Jerry. For my .02 cents, I'd say if you have a big (numbers) float that I'd be interested more in a group doing some real challenging water together. That's more of a whitewater float thing though and you mentioned a large group doing primarily a fishing trip. I won't say I wouldn't try something like that but I bought my cat to get away from crowds in areas that other boaters don't do. So I see that as counter to my intended purpose. But having a couple Lites and watching each other tackle some class 4 (or 5?) water could be really fun? Just my opinion. This could work fine for those that would like to do group fishing and would probably be real fun. - RT

[Steelheader69]

Actually RT, I had planned on it being a multipurpose club (fishing and whitewatering). But, as I said, there's already clubs with that in mind already (whitewatering that is and one is NWRA). Alot of people I know that have them are more pontoon boats then cats and would be kinda scared to have them running some hardcore rapids with their boats. I have two cats now, one 9 ft and 16 ft, and both can handle class 4+ rivers (and have). When I said group floats, I figured it would be a more summer activity. Low water keeps driftboats/sleds off alot of water. (I had my big cat loaded up with people/animals/kids and still drifted in 3/4 inches of water the whole float). I want if to be open to all classes of catarafts/pontoons. I know that Osprey and you can realize that some pontoon boats out there can't handle effectively shoots on some rivers out there. (I've owned Outcasts and have run Bucks Bags and the like so I know other makers well). I'm hoping this may catch on. I figured like a big float trip once or twice a season with campouts on the way (multiday trips). My post on the "other" bulletin board was a little more indepth I do believe. I just didn't want to go out and rewrite it again. I'm probably going to join the NWRA (Northwest Rafters Association for those of you who didn't know of it) but wanted and exclusive catarafts only club. We're the sportcars of the rivers, but we don't get the credit say Rafts, Kayaks, and Driftboats get. I hope that clarifies for you RT. I want some hardcore whitewater (hence the trip exchange so I can hit the Rogue). I have a friend in the NWRA who does multiday trips on the Rogue (he has a 13ft Maravia Raft) and he's offered to go with me if I wanted, just he's retired so more time for him to go whenever the rivers inshape to drift.

Also, that's why I wanted people to email with what THEY want in the club. I've talked with Osprey about it, and think we could have a great club. But, with any good club, you need to hear from the masses, so that's why I want email on what would make the club friendlier/enjoyable for others.

Thanks for the response RT and I hope I hear from others out there.......

------------------
You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

[Osprey]

I'm in!!! As far as a boat under 14' being able handle the water discribed above http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif I will take my 12 footer any where the big boys think they can go...Bring it http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

------------------
Row quietly and fish a Cataraft !!
http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif-------<'))>><

[This message has been edited by Osprey (edited 07-03-2000).]

[Deleted User]

Right on Os! Zaq, I've already done class 4 no prob at all in my 10.5' premium tube McKenzie Cat. It's a great boat and my heavy butt holds it down pretty well in the rapids. I used to be a real river rat and do get a little crazy out there sometimes. In addition to the workout program we talked about ( www.bodyforlife.com (http://www.bodyforlife.com) ) I've been using the rowing machine at Bally's lately to strengthen my bad low back. So I'll be ready for "Spencer's Hole", "Boxcar", "Widow Maker" or whatever. Yahoo! I think. - RT

[Steelheader69]

Zaq, it's all in the rower, not the boat. I've had my Steelheader (9 fter) on class 4's no sweat. It's just like taking out 4 x 4's. The little ones are like Jeeps and the big ones are like Suburbans. The Suburbans handle it smoother, but the Jeeps take all the bumps and thrills. I love the Aire when I have a load to carry, but love my Steelheader when I want to have fun and screw around. Have pictures on the Hoh at Oxbow on high water taking the shoot. Was a blast, had that little boat bouncing around but taking the shoot well. Taking my Aire down same shoot is fun, but just glides through, since there's so much boat on the water. I'm all ago RT, let's hit some wildwater, I have cinch down straps for all my gear, I may flip the boat on a class 4/5, but my gear will stay with me. LOL

------------------
You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

[Deleted User]

Steel.- Osprey and I have e-mailed about catin one of the Westside Oly Pen rivers for summer steelies and rapids. Maybe we can do a 3 cat Hoh trip (any more than that becomes more a raft party than fishing trip). I've wanted to do an outside Pen trip for a long time. I'm ready when the right water level and fish are there. Contact Os and keep us posted about it. - Steve (don't confuse the 3 cat Hoh with the one in Seattle http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif )

[Deleted User]

Piece of cake with a good cat Zaq. You show him Steel69. I'll help Zaq take the pic. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Steelheader69]

Actually Zaq, with a cat you dig through holes like that easier then a raft. Since the frame is open there's very little resistance, making it alot easier to go through water like that. I'm game for the upper Hoh drift. It's pretty easy except for a couple spots (Bob had a post w/pics of a boat swamped on the Hoh on upper drift). It's good to have average to high water though. Makes the trip alot more exciting. Hopefully I'll have a trailer ready and we could load up the cats on one vehicle and have a scooter for chase (I'm in process of refinancing my house and will get scooter and trailer once that's done).

Tight lines.....

------------------
You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

[smilesforu]

I got a puma(if rafts are ok) and would like to go if you do the hoh area. I could even sleep in my own bed before and after http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Oxbow does have a nasty little rock that loves to eat boats. I got a honda90 that would come along too http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

------------------
Marty
Steelheader.net (http://www.steelheader.net/)

[Billy]

Count me in if you need a gear craft, gear trailer and hauler (7 passenger limit), or if you've got a loaner cat for day trips. I've bounced some rocks on the Dechutes from Warm Springs to Maupin in my drift boat, and every inflatable but cats. Drifted the Lower Dechutes and Rogue a couple of times (but never "in season"--better start applying for Rogue Wild Section permits in January, for next year, if this gets off the ground). I agree there are fishing trips and float trips--but my rods are always going with me--especially on multi day floats I plan, there are more fishing hours available than actual river travel time involved.
Have I missed some threads/discussions on cat brands? I know nothing about cats--what's the joke or skinny on Outcasts?? Thanks for the invite to maybe share some knowledge and learn some new water on a new craft. Drifted Warm Springs to Trout Creek Monday and Tuesday. Previous thread was right on--salmon flies are done, crowds are gone, and numerous 20" + Redsides were settled down and hungry and cooperating in the usual shore pockets on sizes 14-16 with 12'7X. Billy

[Gizmo Man]

All the ideas look great. When I asked my question on this board, I was trying to get several people who have pontoon boats (I don't care what brand) who may be availabe during the week to float the local rivers and want to have help with a shuttle or some company.

I have one person wanting to do this. So, If any of you would like to just keep it simple and float the Kalama, E. Fork Clack or?? during the week, let me know.

[Osprey]

Nice pic Zaq, that hole looks a little wet:eek http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif can I say that?) but diffently do able ,I can do a mid week float the kalama would work for me too,as far as outcast go they are fine little boats if they're kept where they belong class2 or 3 tops ,but alot depends on the boy on the oars,also I'm not that hot on bladder tube or the outcast frame set-up just my .02

------------------
Row quietly and fish a Cataraft !!
:cool:-------<'))>><

[Osprey]

Nice pic Zaq, that hole looks a little wet:eek http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif can I say that?) but diffently do able ,I can do a mid week float the kalama would work for me too,as far as outcast's go they are fine little boats http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif if they're kept where they belong like class 2 or 3 water tops ,but a lot depends on the boy on the oars,also I'm not that hot on bladder tubes or the outcast frame set-up just my .02

------------------
Row quietly and fish a Cataraft !!
:cool:-------<'))>><

[mic4fish]

Steelhead: Your cat-club sounds good. I'd be more interested in it on the fishing end of it. I do enjoy white water. I have a Pac 1000. (Sorry) http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif My rafting partner and I have a thing that we say that if we have to wear helmets, we ain't goin' there! Myself, I want to live to hook another fish. We enjoy our Cats, because we can get away from the crowds and sleds and other boats. It's too bad cuz the main response you're getting are guys who want to shoot the class 4's and class 5's. That's all fun, but I have very expensive gear on my cat and I don't want it all busted up. But like I said if you're going to start a fishing cataraft club, let me know. Oh, by the way, what's the deal with the Outcast? I've had mine for about 2 years and it rows through rough water very well. The downfall of them seems to be the frames. I've had to make modifications but it is lightweight, and that's nice. Be honest, let me know what the deal is.

Tight lines,
Mic

[Steelheader69]

HERE'S THE SCOOP ON OUTCASTS.

I too have owned outcasts (it was my first experimentation with a one man cat). They're ok boats, as long as you plan very simple floats or lakes. But, here's the big problem with them, which you mic4fish hit on. They have crappy frames. They are too flimsy and you have any sort of rough water and you're likely to twist the frame (YES, I've seen outcast frames buckle under moderate class 3's) Plus, most of their tubes aren't super durable. I've owned two and both were a little to unstable on whitewater/roughwater due to the rockerhull they have. Buying my Steelheader was a difference between night and day. I have a 16 ft Aire that's my baby, it's the hauler.

Ok, onto the whitewater thing. Yes, I want this club to be both, but mostly fishing (as I've stated above in first and second post by me). I'd NEVER want an outcast to run a class 4/5. They're to narrow and unstable for it. You'd have it flipped. Trust me on this, a good cat can handle whitewater and all your gear safely (Most of us are running some serious water with a couple thousand dollars worth of gear on our boats, and that's not including the price of the boats). There's nothing wrong with Outcasts, just a joke among those of us who graduated from them. Hell, my Dad still has his, but he uses his on the Nooch only, so it's a safe boat for what he wants to use if for. If he runs anything worse, he jumps in the big Cat or my steelheader. So, don't worry, you're ALL welcome to join the club.



------------------
You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.