Anyone have a Curtis raft they want to sell?

[finfun2]

Looks like Brian Curtis' rafts are on back order until at least October. Dying to get up to one or more of the Alpine's. From my research it looks like the Curtis is the best float option. If you know of one I can buy asap, please pm or email me.

Thanks,

- Bryan

[wbholmesx]

I saw something similar at REI.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47937561&parent_category_rn=4501484&vcat=REI_SEARCH

[martinrjensen]

That REI raft weighs in at 4 lbs plus. The Curtis Raft wieghs in at 20 oz. REI used to sell Curtis rafts for a while at least I'm pretty sure.
I got one still going strong. (serial #32 I think). sorry, I don't want to part with it.
martin

[finfun2]

I checked out the REI raft. It looks great, but a 4lb difference between the Curtis and REI's Alpaca is pretty big. Every pound matters up there. Brian Curtis should open up a Curtis raft eBay store, or a shop in Bangalore - something...supply is not keeping up with demand!

[Brian Curtis]

Brian Curtis here, sorry about the availability problems.

The Alpaca is a really nice product. It is the only way to go if you are going to be in running water.

Martin, you are correct that REI did sell our rafts for a short time. A very short time. They ordered a handful back in the early eighties, but it was never in the catalog. The only catalog that pushed our boats back in the day was Early Winters. They sold a fair number. I can't remember, is yours white or blue?

[Allison]

Brian Curtis should open up a Curtis raft eBay store, or a shop in Bangalore - something...supply is not keeping up with demand!

I would respectfully disagree with this. Brian and his dad Walt make every raft by hand.

I waited about three months for mine, even after I offered to adopt one of Brian's kids.

[martinrjensen]

Brian,
it's white. I don't think you had the blue ones then. it was real early in your rafts. I remember fishing with Charlie and his raft, wasn't it # 1 or something real close?

Brian Curtis here, sorry about the availability problems.

The Alpaca is a really nice product. It is the only way to go if you are going to be in running water.

Martin, you are correct that REI did sell our rafts for a short time. A very short time. They ordered a handful back in the early eighties, but it was never in the catalog. The only catalog that pushed our boats back in the day was Early Winters. They sold a fair number. I can't remember, is yours white or blue?

[Brian Curtis]

The first dozen or so were all white. Charlie had one of those. We never sold #1 and I think Dick had/has #2. After that first dozen we had both blue and white until we finally stopped making the white ones some years later.

[martinrjensen]

Sorry about the numbers mixup. I'll be taking mine up to the mountains in a couple weeks probably "just to test out"....
martin

[finfun2]

Brian,

I have heard tremendous reports about your handcrafted rafts. I will be contacting you to place one on order. I hear they are certainly worth the wait. Do you have any digital photos you would like to post here?

- Bryan

[Brian Curtis]

Here's a pic.