Packraft: Mule vs Explorer 42

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I think I've read through all the packraft threads and haven't seen these two directly compared. I am looking to pick one of these up for a caribou hunt (river crossings, not floating) and to be used in the future for the same. Has anyone directly compared these two? Have one of them, likes/dislikes? The E42 is 10in longer, same tube size and width, 1 pound heavier and 100lbs more capacity. I am not really interested in any other models or a heavier duty raft.

Basically wondering if the extra length/space is a benefit or hinderance. Will it not handle as well when unloaded as the mule or handle better when loaded because weight is more distributed out? I don't have a lot of experience with rafts so is it generally better to use the smallest you can get away with? They are close enough in weight/price where it's a toss up for me. Thanks for any input.

 

[207-12A]

Unless you're a giant human, the mule will be more than enough for river crossings.

In fact, if river crossings (and not floats) is your objective, I'd check out the Caribou - why not save some weight and still get a late rise bow design? Once you're all blown up and rigged, it's really not much slower to do 3 trips across versus 2, so for ferrying I don't find myself wishing I had more capacity often (except for that time we ferried 3 guys and a bison on a single Mule across a freezing Alaska river!)

Full disclosure - no experience with the E42, I own a Forager and a Classic, and have paddled Mules, a Caribou, Gnarwhal, and one Kokopelli. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Unless you're a giant human, the mule will be more than enough for river crossings.

In fact, if river crossings (and not floats) is your objective, I'd check out the Caribou - why not save some weight and still get a late rise bow design? Once you're all blown up and rigged, it's really not much slower to do 3 trips across versus 2, so for ferrying I don't find myself wishing I had more capacity often (except for that time we ferried 3 guys and a bison on a single Mule across a freezing Alaska river!)

Full disclosure - no experience with the E42, I own a Forager and a Classic, and have paddled Mules, a Caribou, Gnarwhal, and one Kokopelli. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for the input, exactly what I’m looking for

 

[wilbur007]

How much time will you spend packing the raft and how much time will you spend paddling? That's really the question you need to answer.
I've paddled their Llamas, Yaks, a Curiyak and an older Fjord Explorer. I kept the Explorer because I'm either strapping it to my bike, sticking it in my small car or packing it in a small way. The longer length means it paddles much better and carries me well. (Or me and a bike, or me and my wife, or me and one of my gorilla sized sons.)

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

How much time will you spend packing the raft and how much time will you spend paddling? That's really the question you need to answer.
I've paddled their Llamas, Yaks, a Curiyak and an older Fjord Explorer. I kept the Explorer because I'm either strapping it to my bike, sticking it in my small car or packing it in a small way. The longer length means it paddles much better and carries me well. (Or me and a bike, or me and my wife, or me and one of my gorilla sized sons.)

I’m not really focusing on packability because I think it’s a wash. One pound +/- and a little larger volume isn’t going to make or break anything for me. I’m not planning on packing anything too far, likely used for crossings on front end of trek.
You think the explorer paddles/handles better? What if you aren’t loaded down with a lot of weight?

 

[wilbur007]

Well, personally, I'm always running a little heavier than most so I like a larger boat. The longer hull length means it stays on course better. That really only matters if you're paddling longer distances or are not just drifting downstream.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Think I’m going to pull the trigger on a Mule. Is the 420 that much more durable than the 210? Worth the weight? Personal experiences?

 

[thedutchtouch]

I’m not really focusing on packability because I think it’s a wash. One pound +/- and a little larger volume isn’t going to make or break anything for me. I’m not planning on packing anything too far, likely used for crossings on front end of trek.
You think the explorer paddles/handles better? What if you aren’t loaded down with a lot of weight?

Not packrat specific, but I regret having this mentality. A LOT of my gear is slightly heavier than I could have gone with, and when looking at each thing on its own it doesn't matter, but does add up when it's all combined on my back to a heavier pack than I would like. For river crossing s only I'd go with the lightest possible (though I realize this thread is a bit older and you likely have made a decision already)

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Not packrat specific, but I regret having this mentality. A LOT of my gear is slightly heavier than I could have gone with, and when looking at each thing on its own it doesn't matter, but does add up when it's all combined on my back to a heavier pack than I would like. For river crossing s only I'd go with the lightest possible (though I realize this thread is a bit older and you likely have made a decision already)

Thanks for the input. You are preaching to the choir, I’m a closeted ULer. In this one instance though it’s such a specialty piece of gear I’m not as concerned about it.

 

[diamond10x]

I'm buying a Mule this summer for this exact specific reason. I will use it for other adventures later on, but for right now it is to cross a river with my gear and a caribou in it.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Think I’m going to pull the trigger on a Mule. Is the 420 that much more durable than the 210? Worth the weight? Personal experiences?

I have a mule with the 420d fabric and a scout with the 210 and the mule is definetly more robust. I’ve never popped either so I can’t say by how much but it’s tangible. I got my mule for a similar purpose as you are looking for so I got the no frills version, standard floor, no cargo zip. It’s a good piece of gear.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I have a mule with the 420d fabric and a scout with the 210 and the mule is definetly more robust. I’ve never popped either so I can’t say by how much but it’s tangible. I got my mule for a similar purpose as you are looking for so I got the no frills version, standard floor, no cargo zip. It’s a good piece of gear.

Thanks for the input, the direct comparison is helpful. I went with the mule in 210, seems people don’t have too many issues with the thinner material.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Thanks for the input, the direct comparison is helpful. I went with the mule in 210, seems people don’t have too many issues with the thinner material.

A 210 mule will be a cool raft.