Aire Raft vs. Vangaurd Raft

[lhowemt]

Gee, Aire has a 10 year warranty. That's pretty darn good, must be well built boats by a company that stands behind them.

[BarryDingle]

Originally Posted by raftus

Coloradoboatman - if you have been in the industry so long, how come you can't spell Hyside correctly?

I was wondering that same thing. What kind of industry professional repeatedly calls it hiside.



Sounds like Aire speaks for itself.

[El Flaco]

I'm on my second Aire boat- My first was a Jaguarundi cat that I had for 8 years, logging thousands of river miles as the over-loaded gear boat, before I sold it to someone who was happy to have it. Other than scuffs on the skid pads, it was still in great shape. The only problem I ever had with it was a leaky valve, and with the bladder system that's a relatively easy repair as long as you have the parts & some Marine Goop. Aside from the warranty, which is a big seller for me, I also like the fact that on-river repairs can be accomplished in half the time of boats that require a bunch of glue. Aire Tape and a Speedy Stitcher, and you're back in the water. Save the time-intensive glue repair for when you're back in your garage. New bladders are relatively cheap if you need to replace them past the warranty.

Now, I don't any kind of self-aggrandizing Super-Guide resume when it comes to rafting, but for 99% of the recreational users out there, you're going to easily get 10 years from their boats. If you take care of the valves & zippers, and 303 the fabric, you're going to get a ton of mileage. I believe that all warranty repairs for Colorado owners are now done by AAA, so you don't have to ship it to Idaho if it drops off the back of your truck.

Something about Coloradoboatman's post smells like a vendetta. What did they do, turn you down for a pro-deal despite the fact that you are The World's Most Knowledgeable Rafter?

[brendodendo]

I have a s puma from 2000. Bought used with a large tear in the shell and bladder that had been repaired. The patch job on the shell was on the inside and held until last year. I did a new patch on the inside after coming off Wwater ( on river job was a duct tape patch just to hold shell together) and the boat is solid. I store it rolled up in the winter (against manufacturer wishes).

I called Aire about a weld on outside patch and they told me to send it to them or take it to an approved warranty repair center and they would take care of it.

Zippers can be a pain if you are not used to them. At home I spray off the zippers with the hose. Then I use a spray bottle with a 1/3 to 1/2 mixture of bio degradable dish soap and water. Use liberally on the zipper and clen with an old tooth brush. A keychain splitring w/ a 1 ft strap is better than using pliers on the zipper pull.

A little 303 every season (not on thwarts or top sides) keeps it looking pretty.

I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

I've also seen lots more Aire than any other raft in Co's manky IV+ and V creeks. I aslo have seen many many outfitters and companies using Aire boats.

I know nothing about vanguard. They look nice

my .02: Aire boats are quality, track well, can be repaired easily, are used by many people in CO and are built by a company that stands behind their Boats.

[Claytonious]

I used mostly Aire boats during 7 years of guiding. The only time I have seen a major problem with the zipper was when someone left one without the ring on it, and then left it on the sand in the sun. When we got back the entire bladder had popped out of the side of the raft and exploded. But that was from total mistreatment. In my experience Aire rafts are bomber, easy to repair and go where you point them. Almost all of the people who I guided with agreed that Aire made quality products. I don't know what people are talkin bout when they say Aire rafts are cheap, they must be smokin cock.

[BarryDingle]

Yeah,and i'm pretty sure my Aire was not cheap.

[alanbol]

The biggest difference between the two rafts (that I can tell) is that the Vanguards are glued together while the Aires are welded. What I've heard is that the PVC is constantly degassing and that it eventually weakens the glue, so the seam starts to come apart. Because Aires are welded this supposedly doesn't happen (and a 10 year warranty would seem to support this).

And by the way, I just went to the Vanguard website - I couldn't find nuthin' about a warranty and the page that discusses materials and construction is blank. I dunno, but that raises red flags in my book.

Personally, I don't own either. I have a gazillion-year-old, beat-to-hell NRS. I'd replace it if I had the dough, but it still gets me down the rio.