Can't beat the frame for the money....what are ya in a hurry for some winter rafting

 

I'm in the Northeast so depending on your tolerance for cold, bearing in mind rain, rather than snow creates our flows for all but 2 months a year, the next 6 weeks are actually prime season with the trees going dormant and tropical storms bringing large amounts of rain. Plus, October and November are traditionally drawdown season where impounded lakes and reservoirs are drained to winter levels. Summer unfortunately requires a lot of rain to bring the larger rivers up, so unless we get hit with a few inches in a short span (not uncommon) it's mostly a handful of dam controlled rivers mid summer or smaller, low volume creeks if the rain is coming regularly.

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I bought a footbar, oar towers, and fittings from Gary and added my own 1.5" pipe. Buying my pipe locally saved me a small bit of money, but not much; mostly depends on shipping. It was a little difficult getting in touch with him at first, because he was in the middle of some travel, but once we connected on the order he took care of it pretty quickly. About what one would expect from a mostly one man operation. I've been totally satisfied with the frame. Straightforward rectangle with adjustable/replaceable parts. I spent barely more than half of what I'd have spent on a big name frame. I'm thinking about getting parts for a day frame from him this winter.

 

Communication can be a bit spotty with him, but once I stated the measurements I wanted and we agreed on dimensions he delivered it in a surprisingly short period of time. The quality and price cannot be beat. I found very short direct emails to be the ticket, had a buddy get one this summer exact same process, be decisive. Literally less then half the price of the big store names in Colorado.

 

Yes, it can take a bit for that first communication response. I found once established he was responsive. You have to remember he is a one man show, has a regular day job and he is doing this in his so called down time. Be concise and specific with what you want. I found him to be a great guy and very easy to work with. I've had a row frame for 3 seasons and highly recommend them.

 

I guess I'll wait a bit longer. I just learned how to row and I'm trying to get my wife on the oars so we can be ready for a Hells Canyon /Lower Salmon trip next September. We're in our second year whitewater canoeing and paddle rafting, but I wanted to learn to row for the option of longer self supported river trips. And hopefully the Grand Canyon in a few years.

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Gary is amazing. He was relatively quick to respond, but there would be lapses here and there. However, he made my frame in about a week and then offered to drive halfway to meet me. I had to talk him out of it because I was heading to Fort Collins anyways. He then put up with a bunch of n00b questions I had after the fact. Frame is great, price most certainly can't be beat and Gary was helpful.

P.S I also bought right at the end of his welding season so I think things were slowing down. He told me he usually stops working around Sept./Oct. so you might need to wait until spring.

 

O yeah i know about that great winter boating back east...im from western Maryland where the January warm up means top yock dawn patrol before work at the ski resort

 

Rowframe has good stuff and I've been very satisfied with the price and quality. Ordering for Gary, for me, has been a little bit like fishing for an elusive trout. Start early, very early, and don't be afraid to send another email every two weeks if no response. I would start right now, for something you want to use next boating season. And, yeah, be decisive: it will speed up the process.

 

I had gary make a frame for my culebra, I found the tube locally (if you have a metal depot near you, it can be had cheap)
He is a very talented welder, and he spent a while thinking about the exact dimensions of the frame and oarstands. After getting the bits and pieces from him, I was able to show up at the metal store, ask for the tubes, had them cut to length and head out. I am 6'2" and about 230 in full kit, and I found that I do need to load all my stuff into the front of the boat to keep it from being too stern heavy.

I did a DIY seat out of plywood and 1/2 inch minicell that I am semi happy with, but will probably make a new version over the winter. I really want a smaller, lighter version of an NRS lowback seat.

You can see the frame and my diy oars on the minime/clone section of the webpage
Raft frame, Cataraft, Cataraft frame, Rowframe, and Whitewater Equipment

For the quality of his worksmanship, and individual attention, he really cannot be beat. and his website cracks me up.

 

I sent Gary info on what I wanted.

Gary responded with a drawing / plan plus lot of good recommendations.

I had a ton of questions and Gary answered them all.

I finally gave Gary the go ahead. It did take some time to get the frame delivered, my advice is to order way ahead of the time you need the frame.

Results were excellent. Quality was as good or better than the several big name frames I have purchased over the years. Costs were a lot less than I had paid for other frames.

Bottom line is give Gary plenty of time to build your frame. In my case Gary answered all my questions and built me a quality frame that exceeded my expectations. After the initial build, I have asked Gary for several add ons for my frame and he responded quickly. If I need another raft frame, I will order it from Gary.

 

Can't say anything that hasn't already been said. Good guy, can be slow to respond at times. Don't order anything when you're in a rush.

He delivered the stuff to me in Denver free of charge, even though I said I'd gladly pick it up from him.

Ps, I laugh every time I see his schematics with the butt guy.

 

+1 to everything that has been said so far. His frame quality is great. He dropped it off in Boulder for no extra charge. He is a fount of knowledge and offered to lend his equipment free of charge.

I would buy from him again , anyday.

 

Hey Jerseyjeff,
Definitely check out the slings Jack makes for the Culebra if you haven't already.
I've got a set for mine, and Love em, with the my thwarts left in I can self support in comfort for 5 days.
Gary posted a link hear a while back for a tractor seat supplier where you should be able to find something you'll be happy with, at a great price. I have a low back NRS on a plywood cross bar, and it works out great, drop bag underneath it for ammo cans.

Happy boating! Done thread jacking.

 

Does anyone know if Gary still makes frames and how to reach him? Thanks!

 

Pretty sure he is finished but if you find out differently please reach out. I own some of his oar towers and was trying to contact him a year or two ago and never got a response.