Jan 7, 2009 #1 I am looking for info (yes i used the forum search.) However, if you overload that smaller boat, you may well find that it’s less “nimble and maneuverable” than a larger boat with the same weight load. The preceeding several cost effective alternatives for designing and building frames by this concept. The larger the raft, the more it's going to cost. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply. A long raft with two pontoons, capable of carrying more than one person. It doesn't matter if you go big, go long or go scenic...we provide the boats, you provide the passion. The Rocky Mountains and Maxxons offer low cost-per-year over their lifespan, and the AIREs provide a large variety of American made tubes from 12' to 18' with continuous curve design and great handling. One very satisfied customer. Properly and lightly loaded, a cat makes a fun play boat. Free shipping on all whitewater catarafts and NRS and AIRE inflatable boats. there is also a cleat that is not visible that holds the rope. * {{quote-news, year=2009, date=July 17, author=, title=Reading the River, work=New York Times citation, passage=I have a 14-foot raft and a cataraft , which is a raft with two pontoons and a frame that can carry me and two other passengers. A flat-bottomed inflatable craft for floating or drifting on water. They are the safest things on the water and for a family that should bring peace of mind. Outdoorplay has rafting covered. The pressure required to make a cataraft/raft navagable is that pressure required to maintain is form under the forces by its occupants, frame, and the shearing forces of a hydraulic jump. What types of boats have you been on? This frame is on a daddy cat tube set. Fishing Frames. (Editor’s Note: Since my First Raft, I’ve migrated up in boat size to my current 15-foot self-bailing raft. Floors. If you’re planning on taking on big water, in say the Grand Canyon, you will probably want a 14-16 foot raft or 16-18 foot cataraft. If you're new to rafting, you would be well advised to consider buying a cataraft as your first raft. What kinds of boats do others use on the waters where you plan to boat? Mammoth 14' Paddle Cat. Weight distribution isn’t as critical for good performance. The distance between the side tubes of a raft or cataraft (dictated by the frame) determines the size of cooler or drybox that will fit inside. This is our passion! Each raft, cataraft, kayak and SUP are manufactured to live up to the standards of whitewater enthusiasts, which includes our team at AIRE. By providing this information, you are opting to receive email communications from nrs.com and agreeing that you have read our privacy & cookie policies. Fishing. Our store is for whitewater, fishing and expedition frames for outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Here are some pros and cons of the two: It would take a book to thoroughly cover all the ins and outs of choosing a boat. © NRS | All Rights Reserved | Privacy & Security | Cookie Policy, Nate and Stacy, NRS Marketing Coordinator, on a multiday. For maneuvering on shallow, fast rivers, rafts in the 12’ to 14’ range with a rowing frame are hard to beat. With this choice, I give up smaller boat maneuverability and small, rocky stream access. Thread starter jcalderon; Start date Jan 7, 2009; jcalderon Member. The origins of the catamaran design are as old as rafting itself. Duh! This boat suits that activity perfectly. (whitewater, fishing, family outings, ? If you call us here at NRS for advice, these are the sorts of questions we’ll ask as we work to narrow your choices: With the answers to these questions, you’re on your way to making an informed choice. The difference is primarily in the food, beverages and water needed. If you’re planning to paddle it on day trips, figure that a 12-13 foot raft is comfortable for a maximum of five-six people and  a 14-15 footer will work well for up to seven or eight folks. When you have a crew of people that paddle the boat, everyone gets to participate in the experience of making it happen. Raft and Cataraft frames and accessories. Does anyone have any input on cats or rafts?? NRS fishing cat frame with anchor and stand up bar systems. You row forward of center; this is much different than most traditional oared boats. Cats are far more maneuverable than a self bailing raft but carry less weight. Recent Posts. Raft Frame, RowFrame, Cata_Rafts, Row Frame, Oars and Whitewater Equipment, Fishing Frames, Row Chairs, Fly_Fishing Platforms, Aluminum Raft Fittings, CataRaft Chassis Whitewater, fishing, expedition products manufactured in Corvallis Oregon. © Ashley Niles, How do you plan to use the boat? We kit them out with state-of-the-art components, including top-quality Leafield valves, and each set of tubes comes with a 3-year retail warranty. I own 2 sotars currently, one 15 foot raft and one 12.6 foot cataraft. Cat tubes and frame are generally cheaper than a raft and frame, of comparable load capacity and quality. Noun ()A long raft with two pontoons, capable of carrying more than one person. ), How much do you plan to use it? Cataraft Frames. Cataraft Frames. For quality cataraft tubes, we recommend our bestsellers: AIRE, Rocky Mountain, and Maxxon. What is your prior experience with inflatables? Here are a few points to consider no matter which frame you choose: Q. If you haven’t already made up your mind on the best choice of craft for the types of boating you plan to do, hopefully this article can give you some useful rules-of-thumb for choosing a boat that will fill your needs. Congratulations, you’re ready to get your first inflatable raft or cataraft! With three sizes of our sporty Kima catarafts and two sizes of our gear-hauling Kannah cats, there's a high-performance STAR cataraft perfect for you. — Bob Young My father shared the river and the joy of rafting with me. Raft and cataraft custom frames, accessories, dry boxes and more. Additional accessories include interior and exterior light, a power wench anchor system as well various seating upgrades and options as well as upgraded Sawyer oars. Each Frame is made of aluminum which you can add the option of powder coat. If you are a minimalist, willing to go more “backpacker-style”, you don’t need as much gear, cooler and drybox space as the “everything, including the kitchen sink” crowd. Keep in mind that Eddyline focuses on designing outfitting for rafts used for multi-day trips, so that’s the lens we were using while comparing these two rafts. NRS. Oar Towers. If you look closely, you can see the anchor pully attachment on the back. Here are some rules-of-thumb based on the answers: So, do you want a raft (roundish boats with inflatable tubes that wrap around the perimeter and have a floor) or a cataraft (two inflatable tubes, connected with a metal frame)? While the tubes of a cataraft are lighter than a self bailing raft of equal length (there’s more material in the raft), the frame of the cataraft will generally be heavier (there’s necessarily more structure needed to solidly secure the cat tubes). Difference is primarily in the experience of making it happen 12.6 foot cataraft frames for outdoor enthusiasts around the.... Are an authorized Maravia, AIRE, Sawyer Oars and NRS dealer frame is made of aluminum you...,? ) and will set you up for success on the river SLC, UT 84119:. Outdoor adventure to you are more kid-friendly, they carry a lot of and. Foot raft or cataraft to cats/rafts and what do you plan to use it a 14-foot cataraft carry. © Ashley Niles, how long and how many people do you plan to use raft to! And discounts on accessories that are purchased with your boat, everyone to! Big new dory might cost up to 4 people downriver in class 3 rapids while! Floor on a daddy cat tube set craft for floating or drifting on water is applied to a.... To propel a framed cat a 3-year retail warranty one 12.6 foot cataraft you provide the boats there!, function, quality, and one or two for multi-week jaunts and. May apply a flat-bottomed inflatable craft for floating or drifting on water to on... Length, thus have more interior room holds the rope addicts with a “ quiver ” of different physical,! Informal ) a long raft with two pontoons, capable of carrying more than one.! — Bob Young My father shared the river and the joy of with... 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