Get the bucket boat, it will get you on the water. In the mean time keep saving your pennies, once you get more trips on the river with more people you will find a boat and set up you like a lot. Once you find your set up you can pass the deal on to the next boater or keep it around for a extra rig.
Good deal on a bucket boat
New to rafting been saving my pennies for a self bailing set up but come across a Achilles 14 foot hyplon rigged bucket boat. How often do you really need to bail water out? I understand in big water situations you have no choice but would it be worth it getting a good deal or hold out for the self bailing option?
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Very true!!!
it will also let you appreciate your future self bailer that much more when it's upgrade time.
but yeah, it's summer, get on the river with what you can manage for now.
but yeah, it's summer, get on the river with what you can manage for now.
What rivers are you planning on running?New to rafting been saving my pennies for a self bailing set up but come across a Achilles 14 foot hyplon rigged bucket boat. How often do you really need to bail water out? I understand in big water situations you have no choice but would it be worth it getting a good deal or hold out for the self bailing option?
Buckets can be great for many multi-day runs when you have passengers and if you principally boat during the summer. They are less ideal for continuous whitewater (i.e. not pool drop), solo trips or kid passengers, etc.
I love my bucket but would not want to bring it down some rivers, say like the Virgin when it flows. But it has been a great beast to own.
Phillip
I bought an old bucket boat to start. Raft was not that great but the package was good. Then I bought a bigger self bailing raft and used the old frame and oars. (a little short for this boat but they worked). Then I bought a frame and new oars this year for the new raft. Ifg it's a good deal, go for it and buy a super soaker.
River wise the Colorado,green have a eleven footer now its been fun but need more room for the family. Would love to do multi day trips. For under a grand thinking mite be the way to go!!
There are perfectly serviceable older used 14' self-bailers out there for a grand. I'd keep shopping.
If the bucket boat were $300-500, go for it. You're not going to get your money back out of it (or if you do, you might sit on it for awhile). You won't be throwing money away, but think of it more like a rental than an investment. How many trips this summer and next (before you resave enough for a self-bailer) divided into $1k...is that worth the per-trip cost?
If the bucket boat were $300-500, go for it. You're not going to get your money back out of it (or if you do, you might sit on it for awhile). You won't be throwing money away, but think of it more like a rental than an investment. How many trips this summer and next (before you resave enough for a self-bailer) divided into $1k...is that worth the per-trip cost?
Bucket boats were all we had. Well, except for the pontoons of course.
Never concerned about running anything just because we knew we'd take on a lot of water. We just learned to row and bail at the same time.
Seriously. Get a bucket and a friend. If you friend will bail, there's your self bailer.
Never concerned about running anything just because we knew we'd take on a lot of water. We just learned to row and bail at the same time.
Seriously. Get a bucket and a friend. If you friend will bail, there's your self bailer.
"A friend in need of a bailer, is a friend indeed"Bucket boats were all we had. Well, except for the pontoons of course.
Never concerned about running anything just because we knew we'd take on a lot of water. We just learned to row and bail at the same time.
Seriously. Get a bucket and a friend. If you friend will bail, there's your self bailer.
Bailers have a special place as passengers...
I still regret years ago passing on a Hyside bucket boat with good DRE frame, worn but servicable drop bags, and decent oars that would've gotten me on the river for a steal.
That said, the real question is what kind of frame and oars come with the boat, what other gear, and what shape are they all in. And of course what is the price?
If it's a quality setup (like a DRE frame, Sawyes or Cataract oars) and all in good shape, and the rubber's decent, and all for a good price, then yes. If everything's about to fall apart, or its a steel fencepost pipe frame, then you could be paying a lot for one or two seasons before it's all ready for the recycling bin.
If it's the right gear, going the route of Daledevon could be the ticket.
Good luck figuring it all out, if you've got time give us some details or post pics.
SYOTR,
-AH
That said, the real question is what kind of frame and oars come with the boat, what other gear, and what shape are they all in. And of course what is the price?
If it's a quality setup (like a DRE frame, Sawyes or Cataract oars) and all in good shape, and the rubber's decent, and all for a good price, then yes. If everything's about to fall apart, or its a steel fencepost pipe frame, then you could be paying a lot for one or two seasons before it's all ready for the recycling bin.
If it's the right gear, going the route of Daledevon could be the ticket.
Good luck figuring it all out, if you've got time give us some details or post pics.
SYOTR,
-AH
I still regret years ago passing on a Hyside bucket boat with good DRE frame, worn but servicable drop bags, and decent oars that would've gotten me on the river for a steal.
-AH[/QUOTEE]
Yea but you row a Vanguard.
OP Get the bucket odds are you'll upgrade someday and buckets aren't not bad I rowed one on MFS recently and it was great as long as you have a bailer that doesn't bitch.
Contact Bob Morasko, (307) 670-0510 for a good deal on a bucket boat.
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Sent from my iPhone using Mountain Buzz
MOJO, what did you decide to do? I bought a bucket boat 4 years ago with plans to upgrade. Still to poor to upgrade but I did get a bimini this season. I love my 30 year old Udisco.
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Sent from my iPhone using Mountain Buzz
I decided to keep saving my pennies. I've got a small boat know I think I'm going to use and get some experience then up grade for next spring!
I have a 16' bucket boat right now and I love it so much that I am going to buy a brand new one.
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Sent from my iPhone using Mountain Buzz
I've seen what I think is good deals on self bailing rafts in the 3000 range so I passed on the bucket boat 950 with frame oars and cooler was a hard decision though!!!!
There's nothing wrong with an old 16' Avon Pro! I ran one for many years. My first invite was a 14' bucket of patches on Oregon's Illinois river, with the job of bailing. A lucky bucket! One bucket scooped off the floor, and then catch an inbound wave coming over the bow. If that 16 is an Avon Pro, with frame, oars, and cooler, I'd check where the floor meets the tubes on the inside (That's where sand accumulates and grids away if it's not thoroughly dried and cleaned every trip before transport) and then I'd be all over that thing! If it's in any kind of shape it'll outlive you and me.I have a 16' bucket boat right now and I love it so much that I am going to buy a brand new one.
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Ah, the Udisco! I ran one of those for many years, with big patchwork from dead yellow rubber duckies glued over all the seams! Got Glue? Every year I tried to sell it or even give it away, and every year it continued to earn its keep!MOJO, what did you decide to do? I bought a bucket boat 4 years ago with plans to upgrade. Still to poor to upgrade but I did get a bimini this season. I love my 30 year old Udisco.
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