There’s a few good deals right now on some boats in the state. One is an outfitter out of west glacier selling aire 156r’s (16 footer) for 3500. There’s a guy in Billings selling new boats at good prices held over from last year. There’s a guy in Washington selling a few new Aires for 2k less than new that are hold overs but cranberry (it I’d have bought a 143r lol) Terricco whitewater. you can call northern lights and beg to buy a rental boat maybe but I bet it will still be expensive. Can buy used obviously but I’ve noticed lately that a lot of boats are fully outfitted with all the crap and really expensive. Rafting unfortunately is kinda expensive and worse now than a decade ago. The rmr boats are not a terrible deal since they are new. I just looked at a 14 for 3200 I think. I have a really old odyssey and can vouch they last a long time. Mines on Craigslist with the beginnings of a frame for 1700 . I could sell it now that it’s spring I’ve had alot of calls. Not trying to say that’s a good deal just cheap. I bet I have 12k in my big boat and that’s kinda crazy. I think you can still rent a boat by the day from msu too? They have a pretty great rental set up for the kids. Hope things go well and you can find a good set up without going broke! We e lived here for a long time and it’s a good place to have a family and be out doors. Message me and I can link the outfitters and boats . There’s also a bunch of super kimas in Utah for 2200 which is a good deal but you gotta drive down there. Might be worth it though? Welcome to the buzz

 

Thanks for the reply, PM'd you

 

your post resonates with me, like Charlie says lots of different things to consider I have been boating for ... well not long enough but, take the whole family at least to say get a set-up and go for it don't wait. I have a 14' and 16' boat, both S.B. but I started with an old bucket boat and it didn't matter back then. Kids were young and I was sorta dumb. ha ha. We lived large and survived. If you see something for sale just ask.

 

When you’re looking for a deal patience is the number one variable. I waited for over two years combing the depths of Craigslist when I had time and eventually scored a sick custom 16’6” Sotar ST setup with a recretec frame for a very reasonable price. That being said, it took a while and I don’t have Facebook so no marketplace stuff for yours truly.

I prefer to have a bigger boat than a smaller one, of course river/run dependent. There are times that super puma is the absolute bees knees, but I like a 16’ boat for the one and only. Especially with kids you gotta go over 14ft in my opinion.

it is a goddamn expensive past time, but of course when you pencil out rentals it’s a hell of a lot cheaper to have the gear. We can do week long salmon trips for like $400 a pop for a group of 20 adults. Pretty damn good considering one of the trips we ran into on the middle fork salmon last year was a no expense spared trip for $60k. Wowza.

 

I find deals on this website all the time. Be patient, log in several times a day, and when you see the deal you got to pounce on it fast And be willing to travel. Fall is great time to get a really good deal On new gear. Last year 4corners had a fall sale that was ridiculous, 25% off new boats with frames. Buy your raft gear in the fall, buy your snowmobiles in the spring.

 

Here are a couple of options curious of your thoughts:
Sotar Classic used

Aire trib used

Aire trib exed package

 

I would skip the sotar. Already has a patch that needs to be redone and it’s annoying to have to remove stuff that’s already been glued on there. No oars or frame or boxes so that’s just a paddle rig to work off of.

Tribs are fine but those are small models.
I would personally keep an eye out for a Aire 156, but I’m not a huge fan of the unsealed ballast floor but they do have sealed floors if ordered from the factory. My preferences on brand in order go Sotar, Maravia, Aire, NRS.

 

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hysides are great too. My buddy’s SLAMMED into a rock on hells half mile last year and took it like a champ. Good boats I think his is 14’. The oars alone are 30% of the price new so not too shabby.

 

We have complete set up for sale, 15ft. NRS , all overnight (quality) gear and custom boat trailer. Don't know your price limits. Ad went up one week ago. Will be reducing price soon (Riverfun)

 

Looks like a great boat, a bit out of our price range though

 

While technically not incorrect, the colloquial term is rowing, not oaring.

Someone may know this better than I, but I believe Glacier used yellow boats for rafting trips and green for fishing. If you're buying a used boat from them, check the green ones for pinholes from fish hooks. I was under the impressions their boats have a relatively short warranty when used commercially, and they sell them once the warranty is expired.

 

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This looks nice, what would you offer?

 

Man that boat is pretty exspensive. You can buy a lot of set ups and even some new for that price. Just sayn. It’s pretty for sure but jeez that’s a commitment.

 

Ended up going with a riocraft Colorado 14 foot, new.

 

Sweet! That’s going to be awesome!

 

Recently pulled the trigger on a Colorado 16 Dropstitch. Will report back as there isn't much real world intel on the webs

 

 

Who wants to sell me their used pacific river bag

 

I have a size small, grey/black one that I used on my 14' raft (upsized to a 16') that I'd sell. Only used on four trips and like new.

 

aaaand got a boat!

 

Nice! Still waiting for mine, hoping it's passing Hawaii by now, lol. Any initial thoughts or impressions?

 

14 is smaller than expected…. We are coming from a soar so it still feels big. I could see though trading up for the extra wide version

 

Caveat, I know nothing about rafts, but it seems quality and Joe (owner) is available to answer any questions. Buy one from Tim at Riverworks un Billings!

 

Finally landed, apparently pre-tariff! Picked up yesterday and frame refitted today. Impressed so far, everything seems put together well.... welds are straight and tight, floor is perfectly fit and I kinda dig the logo! Might go run the DeeShoots this week for a pre-run so will report back with some time on the sticks

 

Fast hi jack, where’d you get the fittings for the foot bar? I like that one better than my giant nrs one

 

No worries. It's a nrs lopro connected to the crossbar and a Hollander for the footbar connection. I trust the lopros not to twist more than Hollanders but footbar doesn't get the torque. Bonus is it's easily adjustable for different rowers and shortened my frame length a few inches