raft advice

[johnnyrockfish]

Hello out there,

I'm looking for advice on a raft. I'm new to rivers, only floated a couple. I like to fish but I also want to be able to take my young family down some rivers too in a couple of years. If it weren't for the family I'd probably go with a pontoon. I see that Red's Fly shop rents the NRS rafts so I'll probably try that this year. I can trailer it as needed. I could probably spend up to about $3K. Something I can solo in but also take the wife and 2 boys.

Should I consider starting out with a pontoon to learn some waters and then switch up when the kids are ready in 2-3 years?

Any tips out there about quality rafts and dealer in Seattle/Kitsap are appreciated.

Thanks,

Johnnyrockfish

[Preston]

I don't think that starting out in a pontoon would be of any particular benefit. Rent a raft and try it out on a forgiving river; the canyon stretch of the Yakima or Plum access to Fall City on the Snoqualmie are good examples. You'll quickly learn to steer by back-rowing. Never try to "push" the raft with the oars because you'll have to be moving faster than the current in order to have any steerageway; something that just can't be done except in the slowest water. Watch the direction of the current, point the downstream end of the raft toward what you don't want to hit and back-row. Adjusting the angle of the raft to the current and back-rowing while the river's flow carries you downstream allows surprisingly delicate steering.

On the subject of trailering, I prefer to deflate my raft and carry it in the back of my truck (most rowing frames break down and strap together into a reasonably-sized package). The British-made LVM electric impeller pump inflates the three chambers of my 12 1/2-foot Achilles in just a few minutes.

Dana Botcher at Swiftwater (17703 15th NE in Shoreline, 206-547-3377) is the man who can answer any and all of your questions.

For the last several years I have taken my son and granchildren on overnight camping/float trips every summer which have been a lot of fun for all concerned.

[Richard]

I don't think that starting out in a pontoon would be of any particular benefit. Rent a raft and try it out on a forgiving river; the canyon stretch of the Yakima or Plum access to Fall City on the Snoqualmie are good examples. You'll quickly learn to steer by back-rowing. Never try to "push" the raft with the oars because you'll have to be moving faster than the current in order to have any steerageway; something that just can't be done except in the slowest water. Watch the direction of the current, point the downstream end of the raft toward what you don't want to hit and back-row. Adjusting the angle of the raft to the current and back-rowing while the river's flow carries you downstream allows surprisingly delicate steering.

On the subject of trailering, I prefer to deflate my raft and carry it in the back of my truck (most rowing frames break down and strap together into a reasonably-sized package). The British-made LVM electric impeller pump inflates the three chambers of my 12 1/2-foot Achilles in just a few minutes.

Dana Botcher at Swiftwater (17703 15th NE in Shoreline, 206-547-3377) is the man who can answer any and all of your questions.

For the last several years I have taken my son and granchildren on overnight camping/float trips every summer which have been a lot of fun for all concerned.

iagree to a certain extent . . .

Preston is on the money, but I have to disagree (slightly) about rowing forward. I'll do that to move through water I don't want to fish or move through slow or frog water. I suspect he probably agrees with that exception.

The pontoon and the raft are two totally different animals. I would suggest you buy the pontoon, because you intend to take your family with you in a few years; while you are waiting for that time to happen, you'll get a lot of fishing time in with the pontoon. Fishing out of rafts, solo, is OK, but to me fishing solo out of a raft is kinda like going to a nice restaurant by yourself; it works, but it's not nearly the same as sharing that time with someone else. So, if you anticipate that you will be sometimes fishing alone, and want to take a flotation device, I'd get the pontoon.

A tip: if you buy the raft now, and want the pontoon a few years from now, it might be a tough sell with the spouse. If you get the pontoon now, and in a few years want to get the raft "to take the family", that will be a lot easier sell with the spouse. :ray1:

Trust me. ;)

[Preston]

Agreed Richard, but even in frog water, it's easier to turn the raft around and row as you would propel a conventional rowboat. Just be sure to keep a sharp eye over your shoulder so you know what's coming up.

[johnnyrockfish]

"A tip: if you buy the raft now, and want the pontoon a few years from now, it might be a tough sell with the spouse. If you get the pontoon now, and in a few years want to get the raft "to take the family", that will be a lot easier sell with the spouse. "

Great tip!

Thanks for your helpful comments. The pontoon first, raft later tip is especially sage advice.

JR

[TWD]

totally agree, plus the pontoon is just easier and cheaper. My raft was about 3K and after replacing a cheap trailer; my now deluxe trailer with a sweet winch is about 3K in itself. I drive long distances at highway speeds so you really want big wheels and just a nicer trailer for highways. That 6K is getting around a nice DB price but I want to go down the OP rivers with a chance of survival so the raft works. I don't own a truck which would change things.

I had a real nice outcast pontoon before this and learned alot. Think about how you will deal with shuttles which is a new requirement compared to bank fishing. A bike works but you have to think about safely hauling or stashing your gear ....

[jamesf01]

I have a 12 1/2-foot Achilles that I have used only once in the last 5 years due to my physical limitations to heavy to move around to set up. has wood deck and transom the bout is like new. I am going to get a pontoon boat as soon as I can get the money together would be easier for me to handle load and unload. For right price would sell it. If you are interested E mail with a offer.

[castnblast]

One idea is to take a raft guide training from one of the local companies. It might not bolster your rowing skills since most commercial day trips in WA rivers are done in paddle boats, but you'll get experience in reading water and in-river rescue skills. Some outfits actually do spend some time with oar rigs.

I work for a WA rafting company as a weekend warrior guide and fishermen or recreational boaters have taken the raft guide training course in the spring (about 5 weekends) with no intention of guiding commercially. The other option would be to take a course strictly on river rescue. I'd look at taking the WRT or SRT courses offered by several outfits here in the state (PM for referrals if you are interested).

Jumping in a raft and "going for it" is probably how a lot of folks pick up the skills (myself included), but you can really learn a lot from others. I know I have learned a lot about what to do when things go wrong...and the more time you spend on the river...the bigger chance you'll need those skills that go beyond just knowing what line to take and how to keep your drift just right for fishing...especially since you mention taking your family on the river with you.

Oh, and there are certainly times and places where some powerful and well intended forward strokes are needed.

Good luck, always wear a PFD, and not only carry, but PRACTICE throwing a throw bag.
-rob

[johnnyrockfish]

Thanks again for more great information. I may pick up one of those Costco pontoons to mess around in for now and step up to a raft once I have a bit more time on my local waters.

I also have an inflatable outboard skiff like a zodiac. I'm sure it'd be fine on a class 1 river so that's a starting point too. Hard floor so it's great to stand up and cast from.

Cheers!

JR

[Jason Decker]

here is a good deal on a nice set up
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php?t=43435