Any flyfishing raft guys? looking to buy one

[lak2004]

Another one similar to RMR is RioCraft. They seem like good boats but I have no first hand experience. I know the owner and she is a boater and her partner in the business is a fisherman.

 

[S.Clancy]

This almost literally mimics my use case. Can you please post some pics, specs on the frame, etc?

Man, I'm not great at taking pics. I can get some measurements and photos of everything once the snow melts off a bit.

Here's the front of the boat with a nice westslope....

 

[Dos Perros]

Man, I'm not great at taking pics. I can get some measurements and photos of the everything once the snow melts off a bit.

Here's the front of the boat with a nice westslope....View attachment 818574

Ah I can look up specs. What frame did you go with?

 

[307]

I have one of the much-maligned and mocked fly craft boats. The X, I believe.

It's small enough and light enough that I can manage it as one person without a trailer. I can tip it up on top of my pick up and truck cap by myself and mostly move and drag it around without another person. I have a E propulsion electric outboard motor for it, which works OK. Not super impressed with the motor but it's clean and efficient and I don't need a whole lot of power for the raft anyway.

This is my first boat, and I am mostly satisfied. The rod holder is a weak point in the design, but overall it meets my needs, and since I came from a place of not knowing anything about boats or rafts, it seemed like a pretty good package to get started.

 

[S.Clancy]

Ah I can look up specs. What frame did you go with?

OSG Drifter 13 - Outcast Boats

The OSG Drifter 13.0 is a fishing raft package that won't break the bank. The raft is constructed with a heavy-duty PVC shell, filled with airtight urethane AIREcells. *Oars not Included — 9' oar recommended

www.outcastboats.com

This is functionally what I have. I believe Outcast is rebranded Aire boats. Aire Super Puma will have the 10-yr warranty tho.

Mine has the fishing frame with anchor setup. Anchor is key for fishing most rivers, I do leave the anchor at home for some sections as it can be a safety hazard at times and I have lost anchors in the large substrate in whitewater sections.

I also have some self-made rod storage on the sides. I would suggest something like this as I have seen alot of rods get broken without it

Edit: It looks from the picture that the Outcast boat is a Tributary (Aire made, but slightly lesser quality and a different build than the Super Puma)

 

[3forks]

Ah I can look up specs. What frame did you go with?

For you or anyone else looking at options, Leo Larson makes great frames, trailers, and has package options.

Price points vary, but he’s a helpful guy and a conversation with him would be worth the time.

Westslope Raft Package — Montana Raft Frames

Our Westslope Raft Package is a combination of the lightest weight raft and modular aluminum raft frame on the market.

www.montanaraftframes.com

 

[S.Clancy]

OSG Drifter 13 - Outcast Boats

The OSG Drifter 13.0 is a fishing raft package that won't break the bank. The raft is constructed with a heavy-duty PVC shell, filled with airtight urethane AIREcells. *Oars not Included — 9' oar recommended

www.outcastboats.com

This is functionally what I have. I believe Outcast is rebranded Aire boats. Aire Super Puma will have the 10-yr warranty tho.

Mine has the fishing frame with anchor setup. Anchor is key for fishing most rivers, I do leave the anchor at home for some sections as it can be a safety hazard at times and I have lost anchors in the large substrate in whitewater sections.

I also have some self-made rod storage on the sides. I would suggest something like this as I have seen alot of rods get broken without it

Edit: It looks from the picture that the Outcast boat is a Tributary (Aire made, but slightly lesser quality and a different build than the Super Puma)

@Dos Perros I looked into it, they still offer the package that is basically a mirror image of my boat (Outcast rebranded Aire Super Puma). https://www.outcastboats.com/product/pac-1300/

 

[Dos Perros]

For you or anyone else looking at options, Leo Larson makes great frames, trailers, and has package options.

Price points vary, but he’s a helpful guy and a conversation with him would be worth the time.

Westslope Raft Package — Montana Raft Frames

Our Westslope Raft Package is a combination of the lightest weight raft and modular aluminum raft frame on the market.

www.montanaraftframes.com

I had already researched his stuff, found him when I was looking for a trailer with a motorcycle deck. I want to also haul my dual-sport to run my own shuttles. He has nice stuff, I could see myself adding lots of options and ending up with a handsomely expensive trailer!

 

[Dos Perros]

What's the deal with the raised rowing seats? I assume higher seat means shorter oars, but then also higher COG / less stable, catch more wind?

 

[el_jefe_pescado]

I had already researched his stuff, found him when I was looking for a trailer with a motorcycle deck. I want to also haul my dual-sport to run my own shuttles. He has nice stuff, I could see myself adding lots of options and ending up with a handsomely expensive trailer!

Those trailers are bad to the bone!

 

[S.Clancy]

What's the deal with the raised rowing seats? I assume higher seat means shorter oars, but then also higher COG / less stable, catch more wind?

Alot of it is giving the oars enough travel to clear the raft tubes while allowing a comfortable rowing position.

The difference in stability is minor and doesn't matter for 99.9% of use. In general, you do not want to take a raft with fishing frame thru stuff where flipping is a real possibility.

***Flipping is always a possibility with a raft, always have a plan for this. Mid current self rescue is really hard with frames. I've flipped my raft while fishing whitewater, it ain't fun***

Wind is always going to push a raft much more than a drift boat, in my experience. A better rowing position is more important than a minor loss in wind resistance.

In general, you always want a more efficient rowing position. Being able to apply maximum rowing effort is what can keep you out of bad situations.

 

[WTFJohn]

I'm a little out of the rafting game now, but do have a 14' NRS boat that I'd like to sell. Anyone in CO need a raft?

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

@Jesse Jaymes

I've had boats for a while (15 yrs). You really need to dial in your use case. Is it going to be mostly day trips with 1 or 2 other people? Are you going to want to do long trips and really packs heavy stuff? I'll explain how I chose my boat.

- I was looking for something that would primarily do day trips with 1-2 other people (3 total).
- I wanted a boat that was narrow and could scoot through boulder fields and rock gardens in low water so I could access rivers at certain times of year (low water)
- I wanted to occasionally duck hunt out of it
- I wanted to occasionally overnight or multiple overnight in it, but with the mindset of backpack style.
- I wanted a fishing platform or frame
- I wanted to be able to run whitewater to access different/difficult areas
- I wanted the boat to be light enough to hand launch or retrieve from different access pts
- I wanted a boat that I could potentially use in AK on a float hunt

With those needs I ended up choosing an Aire Super Puma and it has been great.

- I was looking for something that would primarily do day trips with 1-2 other people (3 total). SAME
- I wanted a boat that was narrow and could scoot through boulder fields and rock gardens in low water so I could access rivers at certain times of year (low water) Sure but I am too novice with both the vessel and waterways to know anything
- I wanted to occasionally duck hunt out of it My biggest passion, but no need to use a raft
- I wanted to occasionally overnight or multiple overnight in it, but with the mindset of backpack style. Same, backpack hunter. I do NOT need folding tables, chairs, boojee shit.
- I wanted a fishing platform or frame SAME
- I wanted to be able to run whitewater to access different/difficult areas I dont think this appeals to me. But I am too green to know. I came out of raft in college in a Class IV in WV....spooked me pretty good.
- I wanted the boat to be light enough to hand launch or retrieve from different access pts If this means sketching back in ad hoc launches at less than perfect cement boat ramps, then Yes please
- I wanted a boat that I could potentially use in AK on a float hunt No desire with this boat

With those needs I ended up choosing an Aire Super Puma and it has been great.

I don't think I am the first one to think of it, but there is so much public land in this specific area. I hope to maybe to a couple day float with my dog and sluice some chukars in the winter. Or run up a few harder to reach canyons for a deer. But this would all be solo stuff. Me and a dog or me an one buddy. No entourage.

But I am super green and know NOTHING about this game. Hence the recon. In my price bracket lots are pointing to the Super Duper Puma. The newer NRS SlipStream. And the Rocky Mountains. I will have to research the differences. I doubt I can afford anything USA, but would like to keep my cash out of anything China if possible.

I've looked at the super lightweight personal backpacking rafts from Alpaca. They seem WAAAAY thinner in materials and they have dogs all over their rafts. I am not too concerned at all over dog nails. Unless I should be?

 

[S.Clancy]

- I was looking for something that would primarily do day trips with 1-2 other people (3 total). SAME
- I wanted a boat that was narrow and could scoot through boulder fields and rock gardens in low water so I could access rivers at certain times of year (low water) Sure but I am too novice with both the vessel and waterways to know anything
- I wanted to occasionally duck hunt out of it My biggest passion, but no need to use a raft
- I wanted to occasionally overnight or multiple overnight in it, but with the mindset of backpack style. Same, backpack hunter. I do NOT need folding tables, chairs, boojee shit.
- I wanted a fishing platform or frame SAME
- I wanted to be able to run whitewater to access different/difficult areas I dont think this appeals to me. But I am too green to know. I came out of raft in college in a Class IV in WV....spooked me pretty good.
- I wanted the boat to be light enough to hand launch or retrieve from different access pts If this means sketching back in ad hoc launches at less than perfect cement boat ramps, then Yes please
- I wanted a boat that I could potentially use in AK on a float hunt No desire with this boat

With those needs I ended up choosing an Aire Super Puma and it has been great.

I don't think I am the first one to think of it, but there is so much public land in this specific area. I hope to maybe to a couple day float with my dog and sluice some chukars in the winter. Or run up a few harder to reach canyons for a deer. But this would all be solo stuff. Me and a dog or me an one buddy. No entourage.

But I am super green and know NOTHING about this game. Hence the recon. In my price bracket lots are pointing to the Super Duper Puma. The newer NRS SlipStream. And the Rocky Mountains. I will have to research the differences. I doubt I can afford anything USA, but would like to keep my cash out of anything China if possible.

I've looked at the super lightweight personal backpacking rafts from Alpaca. They seem WAAAAY thinner in materials and they have dogs all over their rafts. I am not too concerned at all over dog nails. Unless I should be?

You have to really, really mess up to damage a raft. My brothers flew off his trailer on the interstate going 75, flew into the air like 30-40 ft, and crashed onto the blacktop. He loaded the raft, kept driving and floated that same day.

An Aire boat is expensive, but, they are made local in ID and are bombproof. Plus, they are way easier to fix if something should happen (you should generally always carry a repair kit). Really the only way to ruin one is leave it uncovered in the sun. I've even dropped them on metal T-posts, patched the ragged hole, and used them for close to another decade.

Back 10-20 years ago, there was a lot of companies using Asian materials that were really subpar compared to European materials. Today, with any reasonably reputable company that concern has all but disappeared. STAR (I believe they are under NRS now) makes a good raft for a really decent price. If I wanted to buy new and keep it reasonable I would probably start there, specifically the "Bug Series" (https://www.nrs.com/bug-rafts/c5489)

 

[Dos XX]

I had an NRS 14' Otter with an NRS frame that I specced out. It was the narrower 14' raft, 6'6" wide instead of the 7' wide one. I put the higher Downriver Equipment seat on it. It was a great rig.

Some guys that I floated and fished with had Aires. I would buy an Aire in a heartbeat.

Canyon coolers makes some great, large coolers that fit nicely in rafts. They really hold ice for long trips. Mine has dry box style latches. I think it is 120 quarts or maybe more.

 

[Ashy Larry]

@S.Clancy recommended the “bug” series of Star. I would go against this. I had a wonderbug before my RMR. The huge side tubes take away all your interior room and catch wind terribly.

 

[canyonhunter47]

Another one similar to RMR is RioCraft. They seem like good boats but I have no first hand experience. I know the owner and she is a boater and her partner in the business is a fisherman.

At a rafting shop I heard that the founders left to RMR to start RioCraft. Is that correct or did I hear that wrong?

 

[Dos XX]

I have been to this shop in a number of years, but they had some nice rigs and had some used boats. Might be worth a phone call.

Home - Riverboat Works

Raft frames and fishing frames are custom made to order. We also offer raft packages and carry a large selection of boating accessories.

riverboatworks.com

 

[JoshOR]

Not the best pics but here’s my Aire Super Puma. Basically an NRS frame with some custom. I use it as a paddle raft, an overnite boat for 2, and fishing transportation between runs. The frame is modular, I could add front and back seats, standing platforms and lean bars, and an anchor system if I was fishing from the boat. NRS connections are pretty cool, a ratchet and u can make it what u want for what you’re doing. If I bought new I’d go with a super duper puma, a little bigger, but not much. I found mine used. It’s a super fun and versatile craft. Moves quick, holds almost as good as my drift boat, and I can drag it up a bank solo. My buddy has the outcast version, and it’s been a great boat for him. I don’t think its as maneuverable, and weighs a bit more. Have fun!