I need some advice on experience from those who know. I am looking at getting a raft to fish out of and ride some class II-IV out of. I have a family of 6. 3 teenagers and an 8 yr old caboose. We love the water, fishing and floating...although don't float a lot because we live in a desert.
I'm looking at something that we could paddle 6 people with, then put on a fishing frame and take a group of 3, maybe 4 fishing.
My experience is minimal, but have ran rafts and kayaks down class II,III and some IV... I also have floated the green river south of flaming gorge for a fishing trip a few times. My kids have never done it...and its time to get them out there.
I am looking at two rafts, Aire Tributary 13 HD, or the AIRE Super Puma 13 ft. I have read about both of them...the tributary is wider and fits 6 people better than the super puma. The super puma is more agile, lighter, but narrower. I will primarily be running the raft on the Snake River North of Jackson Hole, WY, and south of it, The green River Utah side below Flaming Gorge, Snake River on the Idaho side near Lewiston/idaho falls south fork, etc.
Those of you who have used these boats or been on them, what would you advise? Is there other alternatives that you would recommend? My budget is somewhere near $3K. I currently can buy a 2016 super puma with the NRS Fishing frame, seats, casting platform for $2500...is that a good buy? Boats in good condition, no patches, or deep scratches, etc. But I wonder about the narrow width when I put my family of 6 in there to raft these rivers...is it too narrow? I watched a few youtubes and it looked like the super puma was roomy enough for 4-5 people, but 6 was not so good, but those videos were on water in Washington and narrow rivers with drops...I won't be doing stuff like that. Would I be better to look around for a tributary or something a bit wider for room?
Thanks in advance.
I'm looking at something that we could paddle 6 people with, then put on a fishing frame and take a group of 3, maybe 4 fishing.
My experience is minimal, but have ran rafts and kayaks down class II,III and some IV... I also have floated the green river south of flaming gorge for a fishing trip a few times. My kids have never done it...and its time to get them out there.
I am looking at two rafts, Aire Tributary 13 HD, or the AIRE Super Puma 13 ft. I have read about both of them...the tributary is wider and fits 6 people better than the super puma. The super puma is more agile, lighter, but narrower. I will primarily be running the raft on the Snake River North of Jackson Hole, WY, and south of it, The green River Utah side below Flaming Gorge, Snake River on the Idaho side near Lewiston/idaho falls south fork, etc.
Those of you who have used these boats or been on them, what would you advise? Is there other alternatives that you would recommend? My budget is somewhere near $3K. I currently can buy a 2016 super puma with the NRS Fishing frame, seats, casting platform for $2500...is that a good buy? Boats in good condition, no patches, or deep scratches, etc. But I wonder about the narrow width when I put my family of 6 in there to raft these rivers...is it too narrow? I watched a few youtubes and it looked like the super puma was roomy enough for 4-5 people, but 6 was not so good, but those videos were on water in Washington and narrow rivers with drops...I won't be doing stuff like that. Would I be better to look around for a tributary or something a bit wider for room?
Thanks in advance.