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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 17, 2016 - 08:06am PT
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I'm thinking this looks perfect for my kids and me:
http://www.seaeagle.com/ExplorerKayaks/420X
Easily packable in a car, can hike it in somewhere in a pinch for a day trip, but too big for backpacking. Plenty sturdy for any rivers I'd be willing to run with my kids. Maybe nice for a few days out and about.
Any other suggestions for a comparable raft? I was thinking of Alpacka as a lighter alternative but ideally I want something we can all share and they are basically adult size now. Plus each individual Alpacka is in the same price range as this. This Sea Eagle 420x would all 3 of us plus some gear (850 pound capacity). If the kids are forced to paddle the entire way it might limit what we'll do. But I'm open to the idea of 2 separate rafts to perhaps increase a safety margin or for disaster recovery, to spread the weight for a hike-in approach, etc.
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Jun 17, 2016 - 08:32am PT
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You might want to look into inflatable kayaks from Advanced Elements, or AIRE.
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fear
Ice climber
hartford, ct
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Jun 17, 2016 - 08:32am PT
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My dad's had a Klepper foldable kayak for years.Its been all around the world and never failed him.
Lots of $$$ though.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 17, 2016 - 08:40am PT
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Moosie, how does self-bailing work in white water, or any water? I've had self-bailing
racing sailboats but you had to be going better than a few knots.
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thebravecowboy
climber
The Good Places
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Jun 17, 2016 - 08:41am PT
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The NRS Outlaws are nice and sturdy, as are the older Bandits. I'd go for one of those if in the market.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Jun 17, 2016 - 08:46am PT
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Just went through this last year and picked a great choice that has gone many places with me.
I do think that Sea Eagle is a very good choice. However...
I went with Gumotex. (actually I bought the US importer branded (Innova)) For the price they make the best in my opinion. There was another euro manufaturer that is insanely expensive but is definitely the best. Cant remember the name.
I snagged an amazing deal on an older version of the SOLAR410. Have used it in the Sierra, Tahoe Truckee and best of all it fit as a carryon for my Last trip to Puerto Rico where I used it for several days island hopping;. Very durable handled some Coral rubs on a surfbreak and other stuff.
Do NOT consider Advanced Elements as they use a fabric overskin that takes time to dry and is not as durable long term. NRS and Air seems quite excellent but a bit heavy and not usable as a carryon for travel.
Take a look at the twist2 nitrilon the solar410 and the new seawave from gumotex. Depending on size and if self bailing is important to you.
There are various online UK distributors that ship to the USA quite easily.
http://www.gumotex.co.uk/inflatable-boats
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Jun 17, 2016 - 08:54am PT
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Self bailing means there are holes in the bottom
In my world bailing means 'getting the phooking water OUT' of the boat!
BwaHaHaHa. ;-)
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Jun 17, 2016 - 09:56am PT
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We have AIRE Lynx inflatable kayaks. Really LOVE! So much that I rarely use my hard kayak at all anymore.
We originally got it for easy transport on a sailboat but find using it on rivers and streams now too.
It's bomber.
Susan
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Jun 17, 2016 - 10:25am PT
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Innova made great boats but sadly Tim Rosenhand, a very dear friend and owner of Innova passed away last Fall and the company is no longer.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Jun 17, 2016 - 10:43am PT
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NRS website has me drooling...
HaHa! Somebody drank the kool-aid!!!!
If you're going to get into pack rafting go here first
http://www.jpwinc.com
Susan
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Jun 17, 2016 - 12:12pm PT
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If doing Whitewater you will want self bailing. I'd also suggest a model that has a cover option. I've done some class 2 on mine(does not have either feature) and from time to time I have to pull over and dump it.. annoying. Would be basically useless in much rougher stuff.
If you decide to go with the Aire or NRS style inflatable instead of the newer very high pressure S.U.P. tech SEA EAGLE type stuff.. then go with GUMOTEX instead.
Similar in design but better in execution. Trust me.
Sorry to hear he was a friend of yours Guido. Hell of a great company and boats he supplied.
Hey Moosedrool I was just kayaking at Utica last week! Love that place.
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Torv
Mountain climber
Fairbanks, AK
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Jun 17, 2016 - 01:07pm PT
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I use the Tandom Tributary Tomcat and really like it. Usually just me in it though. I've used it on long trips, but never in whitewater. Handles great, extremely stable, not great in the wind, like most inflatables. Weights ~50 pounds so I can get it around pretty easy.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Jun 17, 2016 - 02:59pm PT
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HA! Fair enough Moose. Have only done a bit of bouldering in Utica..But saw some very nice looking small stuff to climb.
Another Link for Gumotex and Grabner (the other company I couldnt think of earlier)
http://www.solelymarine.com/inflatable-boats-1-c.asp
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ms55401
Trad climber
minneapolis, mn
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Jun 17, 2016 - 06:10pm PT
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what exactly is the appeal? cost? portability?
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guido
Trad climber
Santa Cruz/New Zealand/South Pacific
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Jun 17, 2016 - 06:25pm PT
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Innova Safari are the gem! Self bailing, rugged and with a slip in keel for tracking and COMFORTABLE on the back and legs.
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fear
Ice climber
hartford, ct
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Jun 17, 2016 - 06:34pm PT
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So how do the inflatables hold up in real whitewater? Around here they'd last about 5 minutes since ever thing is so rocky and hence sharp. I've carved gashes through high-end plastic boats.
Do other ww areas really just have smoother rocks or do you generally just have to avoid them??
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Mark Force
Trad climber
Ashland, Oregon
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Jun 17, 2016 - 06:39pm PT
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Hyside paddilac. Can't get better.
It'll cost you. Once in your whole life.
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LuckyPink
climber
the last bivy
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Jun 17, 2016 - 06:54pm PT
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NutAgain.. you should call me up and we can talk rafts, inflatables etc..
NO to the Alpacka for what you want to do. YES to a selfbailing 16 ft raft but the cost is big ...6k with all the trims approximately. The guys from the northwest know their rafts. The thing about the raft is you need a reliable crew ready to get out there. An oar rig with your kids is a great idea. The more costly IK is the one you can take on Class V ,and worth the change. .. doubt you are going there although Steve has told me stories ....In any case a self bailer is best, IK or raft.
FYI those kids are only going to get bigger by the minute!
Quite frankly, a canoe will do very well if you know how to paddle (I'm from the midwest where a canoe goes in class v whitewater and in open ocean).
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