Any flyfishing raft guys? looking to buy one

[Ashy Larry]

Rafts are extremely easy to get on/off a trailer so the height doesn’t make a huge difference. I never get my trailer deck wet.

 

[Dos Perros]

Would you guys take a raft trailer like this KS to CO or WY multiple times a year?

• 2200# Rubber torsion axle - No brakes - Easy lube hubs
• ST175/80R 13 Tires (1360# cap/tire)
• 13" steel wheels - 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern

I have no experience with trailers with these little wheels...do they just kinda burn up faster? Go through hubs/bearings a bunch? I don't mind increased preventative maintenance, but don't want unpredictable failures.

 

[Dos Perros]

Well I did it. Ordered a RMR raft with a NRS frame today as the used market kinda dried up headed into spring. You only live once and you can't take it with you. Thanks to those that posted good information in this thread.

 

[Bachto]

hell yeah, I took my RMR out fishing this last weekend and are planning a multi-day fishing trip with some buddies for memorial weekend.

 

[sneaky]

I don't know the story, just floated by.
This is what not to do.
View attachment 818541View attachment 818543

I saw those people on the side of the river when that happened. I was like "how? There's one freaking rock in the river and you hit it".

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[DLIP]

Would you guys take a raft trailer like this KS to CO or WY multiple times a year?

• 2200# Rubber torsion axle - No brakes - Easy lube hubs
• ST175/80R 13 Tires (1360# cap/tire)
• 13" steel wheels - 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern

I have no experience with trailers with these little wheels...do they just kinda burn up faster? Go through hubs/bearings a bunch? I don't mind increased preventative maintenance, but don't want unpredictable failures.

@Dos Perros I’m not sure what vehicle you’re pulling with but if you can pull a bigger trailer I would recommend a 10’ utility trailer with a heavier axle and 15” wheel. They can usually be had for not much more money, they are useful for more than just your raft and they are generally built better.

Also I’m not far from you and have a raft of my own so drop me a message and maybe we can hook up for a float in the ozarks.

 

[Dos Perros]

@Dos Perros I’m not sure what vehicle you’re pulling with but if you can pull a bigger trailer I would recommend a 10’ utility trailer with a heavier axle and 15” wheel. They can usually be had for not much more money, they are useful for more than just your raft and they are generally built better.

Also I’m not far from you and have a raft of my own so drop me a message and maybe we can hook up for a float in the ozarks.

Pulling with either a Tacoma (crappy little V6) or a Sequoia with the 5.7.

I just made an offer on an Aluma ATV trailer, somehow it has a 13' bed.

What's the downside of the the specs I posted? More maintenance? Increased risk of flats or....?

Also what kind of raft do you have and where do you float, in the Ozarks at least? Feel free to PM me.

 

[svivian]

Would you guys take a raft trailer like this KS to CO or WY multiple times a year?

• 2200# Rubber torsion axle - No brakes - Easy lube hubs
• ST175/80R 13 Tires (1360# cap/tire)
• 13" steel wheels - 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern

I have no experience with trailers with these little wheels...do they just kinda burn up faster? Go through hubs/bearings a bunch? I don't mind increased preventative maintenance, but don't want unpredictable failures.

I pull a 21' boat with a total weight of 5000lbs regularly several hundred miles with no issue with the exact same tires/wheel size. The only decent tires you can get in that size are the Carlise in a load range D.

If you have Dexter EZ lube hubs, dont just grease gun on and start pumping away. You need to actually jack up the tire and spin while you slowly pump grease in. Otherwise you will for sure blow the seal.

 

[rtrevith]

a few years back, the wife and I had a goal of floating the entire salmon river. We did it in chunks. The last section we needed to do was Clayton to Salmon. The wife is a very serious fly fisher. Me, I would rather go to work than go fishing, One thing i noticed was: when we where floating by ranches, the fishing was good. When we floated by agriculture, the fishing sucked. It was amazing how the irrigated fields drained into the river and the bottom of the river has lots of moss growing, Float by a ranch and the river bottom was rock. Just a wierd thing to see.

It took us 10 years, but we did manage to solo boat float the entire 425 miles of the salmon river. River running gets into you and it is a hard drug to stop. But then again whitewater kayaking ran my life. The wife and i have a solo boat 11 day float in alaska in july.

What river are you floating in AK?

 

[mtnbiker208]

What river are you floating in AK?

We floated the Kanetok river

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

If it matters to anyone... I am the OP and can close the loop on this thread.

I am not at all a YOLO type of guy. But for once in my life...I kinda was.

Leo from Montana Raft Frames is an amazing human. Spent almost an hour with me on the phone. His comment "You're already in Reno.....I'd like to see you simply push on to Vegas".

He was just 2.5 hours down the road to me. And treated my THE BEST. Beat so many other prices, and I supported a self made business guy.

Bought an Otter XL Fishing Dodger from him. Purchased his in house made raft frame complete. He set me up with Sawyers, spare oar, dry box, swivel seats, etc. His anchor. Anchor system, etc. His rod holders. Wife upgraded me into a 65 Yeti that fits perfectly in the frame rails. Drink holders. His gear box for phone and flies

Made me a custom trailer. 14' Place for my dirt bike to shuttle with multiple tie down locations. Amazing construction. Amazing ratcheting straps. Top to Bottom, turn key.

I paid a guide a 1/2 day to instruct me on MY boat on a 7 mile float 1 on 1. Learned a ton. Dropped him off, grabbed a snack, and hit another 7 miles until dark with my kid. Just enough to be "dangerous".

Had a handful more floats before winter. Got better every time. Can actually put the boat where I want...when I want lots of the time. Couple bobbles, misreads, and sub surface rocks blemished my record. Zero issues.

I look forward to MUCH more time on the water and actually fishing this season. What a blast. Took wife and friends, and dogs out on the water. Amazing.

 

[Dos Perros]

Oh I forgot about this thread!

Awesome Jesse, this thread got me going on my deal too and I think I owe you guys some pictures.

 

[thegrouse]

Glad you got a setup that will work for you. You are in a great spot for it

 

[streamerfish]

If it matters to anyone... I am the OP and can close the loop on this thread.

I am not at all a YOLO type of guy. But for once in my life...I kinda was.

Leo from Montana Raft Frames is an amazing human. Spent almost an hour with me on the phone. His comment "You're already in Reno.....I'd like to see you simply push on to Vegas".

He was just 2.5 hours down the road to me. And treated my THE BEST. Beat so many other prices, and I supported a self made business guy.

Bought an Otter XL Fishing Dodger from him. Purchased his in house made raft frame complete. He set me up with Sawyers, spare oar, dry box, swivel seats, etc. His anchor. Anchor system, etc. His rod holders. Wife upgraded me into a 65 Yeti that fits perfectly in the frame rails. Drink holders. His gear box for phone and flies

Made me a custom trailer. 14' Place for my dirt bike to shuttle with multiple tie down locations. Amazing construction. Amazing ratcheting straps. Top to Bottom, turn key.

I paid a guide a 1/2 day to instruct me on MY boat on a 7 mile float 1 on 1. Learned a ton. Dropped him off, grabbed a snack, and hit another 7 miles until dark with my kid. Just enough to be "dangerous".

Had a handful more floats before winter. Got better every time. Can actually put the boat where I want...when I want lots of the time. Couple bobbles, misreads, and sub surface rocks blemished my record. Zero issues.

I look forward to MUCH more time on the water and actually fishing this season. What a blast. Took wife and friends, and dogs out on the water. Amazing.

I've rented that setup multiple times before....Otter XL Dodger with Montana Raft Frame. Fantastic non heavy white water fly fishing raft. Very good choice. 2nd best fly fishing raft setup I've ever rowed/fly fished from (I'm probably a more hard fly fisherman then hunter...).

Personally the best i've ever run and fished out of is the stream tech salmonfly. Nothing touches it IMHO. Unfortunately the price reflects it and I can't afford one.

After that the Otter XL Dodger and montana frame, or some other frame but i like montana frames.

Probably sotar package next.....

Down the list probably something like an Riocraft or RMR in the XL Dodger/Sotar style of raft. The slipstream probably fits that mold as well although I have never seen one in person. They clearly aren't as well built, but they get the job done just fine. Especially if your a weekend warrior fishing easy class 3 or less water. My wife and I are probably looking to get a Rio Craft or similar this year. Just don't have the budget for the cadillacs.

The Aire puma/super puma's are very solid rafts, just not my choice to fish out of....technically they work and will last a long time....just not my preference for a fly fishing rig.