Inflatable "drift boats"

[Richard]

Any opinions on using smaller whitewater rafts with fishing frames as drift boats (e.g. Aire Super Puma, NRS otter)? Typcially, these boats are about 13' long and 5' wide and have room for 3 people. They run about 3K with a frame (see www.aire.com or www.nrscatalog.com)

I know some guides in BC and Alaska that run multi-day drift trips in these type of boats, but I haven't seen them used much locally.

Pros:
-Storage (can deflate during off-season)
-Transportation (trailer not necessary, can pack it in a small plane)
-Forgivness (bounces off rocks)
-Dual use as a whitewater raft

Cons:
-Must inflate riverside, unless you have a trailer
-Less space compared to a standard drift boat
-Can't mount an outboard motor

I'm very interested in other comments and experiences of folks on this board..

many thanks,
Richard

[Thumper]

I run a 14 ft. cataraft with 22 inch tubes. It lives on its own trailer.

Major advantage to a cataraft is that you do not care whether the river is high or low. Great for low flows, and we usually have the river to ourselves in those conditions. Two guys can pick it up and carry it downstream if necessary. Carries up to 3, but 2 is better. Rows well, probably as well as most drift boats.

Disadvantages are that it is not as comfortable as a drift boat, has less storage space and doesn't like heaters.

On balance I would opt for a drift boat if low water is never a problem. On the East Fork Lewis (where my cataraft is used) I like the cataraft especially for the low water times.

A little advice. If you design your own set-up remember that your tubes will displace water equal to about 25% of their height. Thus a 20 inch tube will displace 5 inches if the set-up is designed well. If the bottom of your frame, coolers, dryboxes, etc. are more than 10-12 inches below seat height you will drag in choppy water (e.g., 12" plus 5" equals 17" --- a 3 inch riffle or chop will cause your stuff to drag, and that is bad). Always buy the biggest (highest) tubes you can afford. I wish I had 24 inchers.

[ 04-15-2002, 11:55 AM: Message edited by: Thumper ]