Considering the above commentary on weight should it have been built lighter? Hyside Mini Max Whitewater Raft. Weight distribution isn’t as critical for good performance. AIRE raft tubes and floors are equipped with bombproof PVC-coated material that's thicker than other brands for superior durability. It is noticeably lighter than the Puma and a little more squirrely, requiring a more attentive paddle attitude. You can paddle a raft, with a crew where each has a single bladed raft or canoe paddle, as well as row it. It gets slow and water invades the floor. I prefer paddle cats for most R2 situations, as they can go places a lot of other boats … The foot cups seemed off at first for me, but after a week, I saw that the designers were right and I was wrong. A certain amount of pretension on this cam strap seems to lend a bit of extra rigidity to the boat as well. Want to do a multiday with raft support? Combined, this makes the boat a one trick pony, for better or worse. Nope; this is it’s own boat, and upon inflating it you could tell immediately that this was going to be fun. At 6'4" wide, the 130D has a sweet balance between stability and maneuverability. This is not the case in the Phat Cat. While this construction method makes some of their larger boats a bit heavy, the Phat Cat simply isn’t big enough to be impacted. All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. In creeks, steeps, waterfalls, big water class V, R1 or R2 this little guy makes hard water easy. Most rafts over 13′ start to become more difficult to R2 because there is a lot of surface area for the water to interact with your boat and deflect you from your line. Want to chill on your local class III section and R1? The Shredder is likely the most capable technical R2 boat on this list, but because it’s limited to only one intended use, it’s third on the list (aren’t these lists somewhat arbitrary, though?). The issue with the E-120 raft is really quite simple; it is so wide, and it’s thwart configuration so awkward, that it seems to struggle with itself for purely logistical reasons. These drain holes are not at the bottom of the floor either, so you can’t easily get that last little bit of water out on smaller rapids either. Larsson Whitewater, INC. operates under special use permits from the White River National Forest. It can R2 (R2 = 2 people with paddles in a raft) big water, carry 6 people for a “drift and drink” type float, and be framed for fishing or multidays. (Almost) every raft has some niche in which it fits perfectly. As the owner of a rafting company in Colorado I have access to quite a few different rafts. Each year our staff tries out a new small R2 raft; we'll keep you updated. Those big pointy ends are nearly impossible to bury while surfing or boofing a ledge (or failing to do so!) Authorized Dealer of Saturn Inflatable Boats, Rafts and Kayaks Including the "Saturn Triton Series" with upgraded PVC, heat-welded seams, and C7 valves. These rafts are increasing in popularity and we look forward to updating this list with rafts that we have not yet tried (and so please be patient with us; we are aware that there are several raft designs that are notably missing such as; any of the small Sotar boats (they’ve been cost prohibitive for our guide fun budget), a Star Lightning Bug, a Tributary 12.0, Hyside Mini Me, Maravia Seal (Dear Manufacturers: send us one!). Take it to the play park, it surfs like a champ. Worst thing about it: Ours is blue, and we are sick of blue. This is a pretty nice design feature as you’ve got a 20’ tether line if you need it, a cam strap to roll it up with and the perfect length perimeter line in one item (there’s about 1” to spare the way I set it up). The 23” main tubes allow for maximum comfort in the 15” deep cockpit with 8” … They mostly give damage to hostile creatures but also to other players, if friendly-fire is activated. The knee height is perfect for those between 5’3” and 6’2”. The Mini Max is perhaps a little more suited for a tiny little centermount frame and use as a low water rescue raft. I have owned this boat for the past three years and paddled it on a variety of rivers, most often as a two person R2. If you want an R2 raft and are looking for something has and will stand the test of time, you have to consider the Saturn. This completely blocks them and causes undue water buildup in a boat that is very weight sensitive. With 60+ raft guides, it gets out a lot. There’s good and bad news here to report. It really was not made to have a frame on it, and unlike some of the newer designs from Hyside and Aire, it was made out of a simple black neoprene rubber. 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