Where to buy Curtis raft?

[sak]

I've seen references to "Curtis Raft' for backcountry fishing here and at other fishing/hiking forums but can't seem to find any retailers that carry it. No hits on Ebay either. Can someone provide a link to an online retailer or a local shop near Seattle that sells them. I don't even know what they look like? Seems like many people prefer this to the float tube or Sevlor rafts for backcountry fishing.

Sak

[Freestone]

The rafts are made by a man named Brian Curtis from Silverdale and I don't think he sells them in stores. He is active on several hiker's forums and you could contact him through one of these forums: nwhikers.net and watrailblazers.org. I'll PM some more details....

Sue

[jackchinook]

Sak, I have one that I use for highlakes angling. It's unbeatable if you're looking for the lightest, smallest, most packable craft out there. I get alot of laughs from hiking buddies who say things like, "you're going out there? In that?" It's small but they're well built and cleverly designed. One bit of advice, decide what you're really looking for. I hiked in to the Hidden Lakes in the Pasayten last spring with some friends who hiked in float tubes. All of our fish we caught were caught while trolling. I was outfished that trip by the floattubers as they have their rod in their hands 100% of the time. While in the Curtis Raft, if trolling, you'll have to put rod down in your crotch since you'll need both hands to paddle the boat. I missed alot of fish...but caught alot too.

That having been said, I have also hiked that raft in to many more lakes than I ever would have lugged a float tube, waders and fins into! Just don't get one if you're looking to get something to hike into 'walk-in' lakes like Nunnaly. Think 3+ miles.

[Cliff]

Sak, I've got a Curtis raft and I know Brian Curtis well. We're both in the same high lakes fishing clubs. I don't think he minds if I give out his email address, but just to be sure I'll PM you. Incidentally, Brian sometimes posts on this board. Regarding the raft, it's the best thing I've ever found for backpacking into high lakes. I have the double-bottomed version and it weighs roughly 26oz. At first glance it looks rather fragile, but it's surpisingly strong and very well built. It's stow bag doubles as the inflator and actually works. I wouldn't take it down a river but it works fine for high lakes. It's a pretty unigue raft in that it's not mass produced, but available by word of mouth only. For years I packed the lightest float tube I could find, a Caddis Premier u-boat, into alpine lakes. The weight isn't too bad, probably 6 or 7 lbs, but when you consider the waders and fins the weight got up to around 13 lbs or so. That's a lot of weight in a backpack. The only waders I found that would keep me warm enough in high lakes were the 5mm Cabelas stocking foot jobs, and they're heavy, and even heavier when wet. I'm attaching a photo of myself in my raft taken at a high lake a couple of years ago.

Regarding the Sevylor Trail Boat, I have one as a backup or loaner, but I really don't care to use it. An earlier one I had split it's seam as I was inflating it (brand new) and I know at least two other guys who have complained about the same thing. Sevylor replaced my boat for free, but I have lost confidence in it. I also know a guy from this board who almost drowned in his STB on a lowland lake, due to seams unraveling or popping, or whatever.

JC - good to see you're still posting from across the continent. I may be going to the Hiddens in June so I'll PM you for some advice. I've never been there and I'm looking forward to it.

Cliff

[T Dub]

He goes by Trail_Blazer on this site. Do a search for that and PM him.

The raft rocks! The stow bag also doubles for a water container at camp. Holds tons of water and comes with the spicket attachment. I always use the bag when I'm backpacking. Even when I don't take the raft.

It's a great product.


TDub

[Brian Curtis]

I'm the Brian Curtis who makes the Curtis rafts. PM or email me your snail mail address and we'll drop a brochure in the mail to you.

Brian