2007 Cataraft Shootout

mania · 10-25-2006

I wrote up this comparison of the current crop of catarafts.

http://www.whitewateraddiction.com/cat_shootout.php

corrections welcome.

rwhyman · 10-26-2006

Thanks for the info and opinions. I have a 14ft Aire raft (143R) and am thinking about adding a 2nd boat and am struggling between a larger raft for bigger water or going with a cat, probably in the 16ft range. As my son gets more proficient at rowing, he will be on one boat and me the other. There will also be times when my wife will go, so she will be riding with me. Will my son be comfortable rowing a cat after his raft experience?

If I decide on a cat, what are the thoughts on tower location? I see that a lot of the Idaho boys (and girls) have the towers quite far foward, at least compared to a raft. Doesn't that make a back ferry a little harder? Anyone care to chime in on that.

mania · 10-26-2006

well, your son should be fine, and as for towers - i like to keep the center of mass near the center of the boat - and the towers just slightly forward of that - so you can spin easier. some idahoans get a little crazy with being too far forward. IMHO.