Well, I got my new cataraft setup a few weeks back. I am currently on loaner tubes but mine will be 14' black with orange accented tubes.
I did a lot of asking around and got quotes from a lot of the biggest companies in the business. Many of them said "you can't do that on 14' tubes," or "I am not following what you mean by that." I went with CANYON WHITEWATER INFLATABLES out of North Bend, OR near Coos Bay. They are a younger company but have a lot of experience in the field of frame fabrication.
First getting into the boat you recognize that it is by far the most thoughtful design you have ever seen on a raft. Nothing interfers with anything else. The welds are amazingly clean and the workmanship is second to none. I had a laundry list of wants for this boat as I have had drift boats in the past and have done quite a bit of white water rafting growing up. I wanted this thing to be everything I ever wanted in a fishing/rafting vessel and this was it for me. It is unbelievably stable. The first trip I took 3 other guys, the total weight, if we were all naked without waders or jackets on was about 900 pounds. It performed beautifully, don't get me wrong it rowed heavy, but it floated very well with that much load. I wanted the ability to fish 2 up front and one in the rear, however, the majority of the time I will fish one up front and one in the back which is ideal. Unlike a drift boat, where it is very important to keep the weight balanced, this boat is incredibally stable regardless of where the fisherman are leaning, standing or fighiting the fish.
So, here is the list of wants and what you will see in the pictures below:
-Lean bar up front (removeable and swivels out of the way)
-125 Yeti for two fisherman up front with removable back rest
-The fish box is a dry box that is also where my feet are when I am rowing
-Anchor system
-Dry box under oarsmen's low back seat.
-Third row high back seating. IT IS CLUTCH. All my buddies love fishing out of her and there is plenty of room.
-Rod Storage will run across the top of the tubes (that is getting delivered soon)
-I went with 9'-6" Sawyer square tops and will never buy anything else again.
-Solid aluminum plated floor. This is a necessity for fighting fish and having the lexury of firm footing.
-Diamond plated step sides for easy in and out.
-Tackle trays up front for convenience.
-As with all of Canyon's stuff, all drybox's latch into place. If I turn this over in a big roller, the only thing falling out is the people in the boat.
-And I added a few cup holders that you will see on the back of the back rest for now.
So here are some pics of her. I will post more when I get my tubes and last lil touches.
It did take a little longer than quoted to get me the finished product but I couldn't be happier with the product.
You won't find a better frame fabricator. James and Canyon will bend over backward to please you with the product.
If you want their number or a peak at their site, here they are. Feel free to PM me with any questions on the product. Tell them Derrick Draper sent you there way.
SEE YOU ON THE RIVER!!!
*It looks like they have pictures of my frame on their site now in their photo album.
I did a lot of asking around and got quotes from a lot of the biggest companies in the business. Many of them said "you can't do that on 14' tubes," or "I am not following what you mean by that." I went with CANYON WHITEWATER INFLATABLES out of North Bend, OR near Coos Bay. They are a younger company but have a lot of experience in the field of frame fabrication.
First getting into the boat you recognize that it is by far the most thoughtful design you have ever seen on a raft. Nothing interfers with anything else. The welds are amazingly clean and the workmanship is second to none. I had a laundry list of wants for this boat as I have had drift boats in the past and have done quite a bit of white water rafting growing up. I wanted this thing to be everything I ever wanted in a fishing/rafting vessel and this was it for me. It is unbelievably stable. The first trip I took 3 other guys, the total weight, if we were all naked without waders or jackets on was about 900 pounds. It performed beautifully, don't get me wrong it rowed heavy, but it floated very well with that much load. I wanted the ability to fish 2 up front and one in the rear, however, the majority of the time I will fish one up front and one in the back which is ideal. Unlike a drift boat, where it is very important to keep the weight balanced, this boat is incredibally stable regardless of where the fisherman are leaning, standing or fighiting the fish.
So, here is the list of wants and what you will see in the pictures below:
-Lean bar up front (removeable and swivels out of the way)
-125 Yeti for two fisherman up front with removable back rest
-The fish box is a dry box that is also where my feet are when I am rowing
-Anchor system
-Dry box under oarsmen's low back seat.
-Third row high back seating. IT IS CLUTCH. All my buddies love fishing out of her and there is plenty of room.
-Rod Storage will run across the top of the tubes (that is getting delivered soon)
-I went with 9'-6" Sawyer square tops and will never buy anything else again.
-Solid aluminum plated floor. This is a necessity for fighting fish and having the lexury of firm footing.
-Diamond plated step sides for easy in and out.
-Tackle trays up front for convenience.
-As with all of Canyon's stuff, all drybox's latch into place. If I turn this over in a big roller, the only thing falling out is the people in the boat.
-And I added a few cup holders that you will see on the back of the back rest for now.
So here are some pics of her. I will post more when I get my tubes and last lil touches.
It did take a little longer than quoted to get me the finished product but I couldn't be happier with the product.
You won't find a better frame fabricator. James and Canyon will bend over backward to please you with the product.
If you want their number or a peak at their site, here they are. Feel free to PM me with any questions on the product. Tell them Derrick Draper sent you there way.
SEE YOU ON THE RIVER!!!
*It looks like they have pictures of my frame on their site now in their photo album.