Phatcat is a better boat for multiday trips IMO. The slice’s built in splash guard prevents you from adding a cooler or big mesh storage bag. Phat can can be outfitted very well for overnight trips if you buy the right stuff, ppl take them down the Grand Canyon all the time. Meanwhile I don’t think I’ve ever seen a star slice with a frame.

 

I’d stick with a Phatcat for overnighters, it’s a little better suited for carrying gear with the large tubes.

 

We got a Phatcat last season and used it primarily for a R2 as we rounded up the frame setup. I purchased a single bay frame and trailer frame for the cooler along with a wet dreams drop bag and pocket splash guard for it. I'll be pulling the trigger on oars over the next month or so, and am still debating on oar length (leaning towards 8'6" in length as I'm long in the torso at 6'2").

I ended up using the Phatcat more than my 14' SB rig this season due to ease of transport. Not sure if it was the "new" factor, or if the trend will hold. As someone who prefers kayaking, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed running it as a R2 as well as how nimble it was in comparison to my other rubber or duckies. The Phatcat from my experience seemed to prefer weight up front... I can't speak to the slice in that regard.

The decision between the two options came down to wanting to run a frame on it and I'm excited to row it next year. I looked at Aire as well, but couldn't justify the cost for myself for it to be one of several boats in the fleet.

I think both would be enjoyable for a R2 setup and the personal decision would come down to if you want to eventually run a cooler or drop bag in conjunction with a frame. I'm in CO. and agree @wkeenan21 that I don't think I've seen anyone out this direction running a slice with a frame albeit I do see people paddling them often as well.

 

I've never had a Slice but I'd echo the votes for a Phatcat. Had one before and really enjoyed it. Especially nice with the addition of a simple frame for overnights.

 

Thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated. Got it - Phatcat is suitable for a frame and has a greater capacity for gear and multiday tripping. I'm curious about the differences with the floor. Can anyone comment on the drop stitch inflatable floor on the slice vs. the 66 oz. denier floor on the PC?

 

I row a Phat Cat and it is about as much fun as I've ever had with my clothes on. The floor has never been an issue for me. I'm not a lightweight and have no problems standing on it to scout and such, plenty sturdy. I did punch two grommets in it as additional drain holes.

 

What everyone else said about the Phat Cat. There's also a JPW Culebra that they'd make to any specs. Sweet little paddle cat that runs a frame well and laces apart for easy air transport.

 

IMO a paddle cat should be paddled...the thwarts and floor really take away a lot of the performance and ease of use vs a cataraft when rowing. If you're going to R1, between the two options I'd go Slice, its lower to the water and the floor is nicer...you don't need a bunch of the crap the traditional boaters bring on overnighters, so ability to bring a hard cooler and groover in a frame is moot. A soft cooler, and big dry bag is all I bring. That said I'd just buy a small raft. They're more fun to paddle, more predictable in rapids, surf better, haul more, and carry an extra friend or two much more comfortably, and if your thwarts come out easily are the best bed... no tent needed.

 

Just because it happened to me, I had my foot hang up in the foot cup in a flip and twist my ankle real bad and man did it hurt. It still hurts and that was at lochsa last spring. I was the upstream tube so my buddy (bigger dude) came over and tackled me lol. Anyways I posted on r-1/2 clubs to see if it was just me or if it was a thing and lots of people said it was a thing and there’s even a injury called “rafter’s knee” that’s associated with foot cups. I think for me it’s cause iam short and the tubes are so big iam kinda at max reach with the front foot back foot wedge position and so it exasperated the foot cup release-ability? . Just an observation. Otherwise a very fun boat and crazy capable. I will say it felt small at lochsa and I got scared three whole times (Yahaha) . Iam thinking I may Velcro one side of the foot cup? A lot of guys say they won’t use them but I feel vulnerable without it. Long post sorry.

 

I wouldn't take it down the Grand, but it did make westwater OK.
35qt cooler, paco pad and everything else needed for a nice comfy solo camp.

 

I have two Jacks Plastic Culebra's in my garage. The design is different and I like it. I can rig it for solo rowing but prefer to R2

 

I have two Jacks Plastic Culebra's in my garage. The design is different and I like it. I can rig it for solo rowing but prefer to R2 View attachment 107452 View attachment 107453

Yeah this. Divides easy for a 2 person hike. Good discussion here, but if you want to haul into places on your back, or fly that's the jam.

 

While I agree about the things said about the Phat Cat, don't discount the Slice of you find a deal on one. I just got one last year, but have only rowed it so far. We did a low water Middle Fork trip and it did great. I love the floor in it, it is super stable to walk on.

 

Huh, wonder if the dude making ultra light sotar tubes could do a paddle cat? Sotar doesn’t do a paddle cat so they? I wouldn’t want to hike a phat cat ! Maybe 100 yards but no way miles. Maybe if you had a cool cart kinda deal? Now that guys have dialed pack rafts I hate to say it but that’s the way. Basically you need about ten different boats from pack raft to 19 foot and your good lol oh and maybe a snout too and we won’t talk about sails or motors…Yahaha happy new year!

 

Huh, wonder if the dude making ultra light sotar tubes could do a paddle cat? ......

Original Shredders from Airtight are in the upper 40's-low 50's weight range depending on options. I've hiked one out of the Gauley several times.

 

Oh yeah shredders! Man they own the gaulley!

 

I have the slice XL - more similar to the aire sabertooth in dimensions. It's a hoot to paddle and I have a small row frame for it that's great for solo multi day trips. I can carry everything I need for myself, but can't contribute much on the group gear.

The zippered bags on each end are amazing - especially when paddling it. All your shit is tucked away and out of your bay.

 

The Phatcat makes an excellent multiday boat. I bought a frame from Riverboat Works and the item I liked the best was their cargo platform in the back. Even if you go with another frame check out their cargo platform. It's a woven material like the front splash guard form RMR but spans all the d-rings in the back, making for great storage for soft goods on trips.
The main thing that made me go with the Phatcat is the height of the floor compared to the tubes. I am a taller dude and I felt much more scrunched up sitting in the Slice. When we bought ours in the Fall they had a sale going on for Phatcats and Slices, don't know if they still do.
Don't judge the boat's sloppiness in the picture; my 13-year-old son used it on a Ruby Horse Thief trip.

 

All about the Plump Kitty

 

Can you re flip mid stream when it’s loaded up?

 

I have a Star Slice and a Phat Cat. The Phat Cat is better for a frame since you can add fore and aft weight to level it out. The Slice will always be aft heavy since you will be sitting behind the center line. I've framed the slice a few times and have had some inadvertent surfs. The Slice has a preferable floor since it can be aired up and provides much more stability that the PhatCat soft floor. The cockpit is smaller on the Slice, but fits my 6'2" body well, and you can be more locked in the boat due to the size and hard floor. But, the PhatCat is more comfortable due to the larger cockpit, and they have better color options. Day trips are nicer on the slice with its integrated dry bags (moist bags with the current design). Both are fast and light on the water. Each are very capable. The Slice has been down Hells in medium and high water, even running the right side of Wild Sheep and hitting all the junk over there, and didn't miss a beat. It has a tendency to "slice" through the backwash of a hole and wave. The PhatCat frequently is taken down Staircase and Canyon on the Payette, and we used it for our Grand Canyon trip this summer. I have noticed due to its larger tubes it does ride the top of the wave more, so forward weight and aggressive paddling is key. So really it may come down to color and cost.