[Machias]

I guess I screwed up the first time I tried this, so I'll do a better job this time. I'm looking to buy a couple of catarafts, one for my wife and one for myself. I'm looking at a 12' Wave Destroyer and frame and a 14' Sotar Legend and frame. I'm on the east coast for now. Can you recommend a good company to buy from. Thanks!

 

[chepora]

Machias,
Try Jacks plastic, DRE, or NRS. Make sure you know the exact models you are interested in and all the relevant details from the websites. These companies are very busy this time of year and probably don't want to chat about the differences between running a paddle boat or an oarboat right now. Good luck.
Sorry you had a bad run on your first try This one should go better.

 

[FatmanZ]

BoaterTalk

Try asking the question(s) on BoaterTalk. The website has a rafting forum and those that use the site tend largely to be east coast folks who should be able to provide you with more local information.

 

[Machias]

Thank you both, appreciate it.

 

[elkhaven]

Call Sotar directly 800-467-6827 and ask for Cheryl. She is awesome. I disagree with folks on your other post (in several ways) but if you can't get through on the phone right away I would drop them an email, say you want to buy a boat and would appreciate a call as soon as convenient. Then follow up with a phone call.

As far as Aire, they don't sell direct to the public so you'll have to go through a dealer. There are plenty, presumably even out east.

http://www.drlrivergypsies.com/ sells both, maybe he could do both for you at once...and maybe he or sotar are who hasn't called you back, hard sayin' not knowin'... I've never worked with DRL, but I hear good things...

 

[elkhaven]

oh yeah, with sotar unless you want something off they're hot sheet or something one of their dealers has in stock you'll have to wait for them to build it, probably several months.

 

[dgoods]

For SOTAR it's worth the wait for their fall sale (20% off all boats...) during the first two weeks in October. Cheryl is no longer there (she was excellent), but Joe is and he is also very knowledgeable. I've been working with him on buying a set of legend tubes come this Oct. He'll send you pics of color schemes and fabric color samples if you want.

For AIRE they're more widely available. Towards the end of the boating season in the fall you should look on AIRE'S website for "Hot Sales". I bought a demo set of tubes from them at a pretty good deal a couple years back. If you don't buy direct from AIRE, I'd contact Dusty at DRL River Gypsies- he usually has lots of boats to choose from-new and used. He deals with SOTAR and AIRE, and sells frames, so you might find your "one stop shopping" with him. He also fabricates high clearance cat frames.

If not DRL, talk to AIRE and see if there are any AIRE or for that matter, SOTAR reps in your area and deal with them directly. Often times they can swing folks a good deal on boats.

Other frame options may include contacting Dave Nissan who makes Madcatr aluminum frames which are really nice. He's roughly a year out in making them, so if you're into his frame designs, act soon and don't expect it for a while. Ronnie McLay fabricates steel frames- PRE (Payette River Equipment) frames of which I use and like. He can customize anything you want and his turn around is 2-3 weeks depending on how busy he is. He's based out of Ontario, Oregon. Perhaps not as light or sexy as a Madcatr, but super tough and a good design.

Being that you're on the East coast, shipping all this stuff is gonna run into some cash unless you can somehow find another person around where you are and split motor freight costs... Boatertalk is another forum that seems to be more East Coastish-maybe put out a thread there to see if anyone is looking to throw down for new rigs.

Have fun getting your new rig!
Shoot me a PM if you have any specific questions about cats...

Doug

 

[Riverbound]

Canyon whitewater inflatables in Oregon is one of the top frame manufacturers in design and quality and can put together a boat package, you may check with them. My self and a few others locally have purchased frames and boat packages from them. Top of the line product but the wait times sometimes can be long.
www.canyoninflatables.com

The people on this forum can be harsh in attitude, they also like to play the little game where they won't give you all the manufacturers so you can make your own decision, give Canyon a call and talk boats,lots of knowledge they are boaters.

 

[elkhaven]

Canyon whitewater inflatables in Oregon is one of the top frame manufacturers in design and quality and can put together a boat package, you may check with them. My self and a few others locally have purchased frames and boat packages from them. Top of the line product but the wait times sometimes can be long.
www.canyoninflatables.com

The people on this forum can be harsh in attitude, they also like to play the little game where they won't give you all the manufacturers so you can make your own decision, give Canyon a call and talk boats,lots of knowledge they are boaters.

Careful with the generalizations. Some of us actually responded to the specifics of his post, a legend and a wave destroyer; sotar and aire, not a canyon.

 

[InflatableSteve]

Here is a list of Aire dealers in your state. They probably don't sell SOTAR also, but at least it is a start. AIRE inflatable whitewater and fishing raft and kayak dealers

 

[k2andcannoli]

Boatertalk sucks and is about as useful as a hole in the head.

 

[Riverbound]

Careful with the generalizations. Some of us actually responded to the specifics of his post, a legend and a wave destroyer; sotar and aire, not a canyon.

I saw the part about looking for a frame so I recommend to take a look at Canyon they are an Aire dealer so he could possibly buy a whole package. Why does it bother you who I recommend ?? Hope that clears that up. I was looking for a certain boat also before someone turned me on to Canyon frames so its nice to let people know all what is out there so they can shop and make informed decisions.

I highly recommend talking with actual manufacturers and use forum recommendations for a guideline

 

[elkhaven]

I just said to be easy with generalizations...as in the last paragraph. Nothing more...

FWIW, I recommend talking with people that use the products daily, whomever that may be. Typically manufacturers don't get to use their own products half as much as those that buy them...

 

[cataraftgirl]

No Cheryl at Sotar! That's a bummer. She's awesome and was a huge help to me last year. I wish her well, and hope she's doing ok with her health issues.

 

[Machias]

Awesome information and help, thanks a bunch I really appreciate it.

 

[Machias]

For SOTAR it's worth the wait for their fall sale (20% off all boats...) during the first two weeks in October. Cheryl is no longer there (she was excellent), but Joe is and he is also very knowledgeable. I've been working with him on buying a set of legend tubes come this Oct. He'll send you pics of color schemes and fabric color samples if you want.

For AIRE they're more widely available. Towards the end of the boating season in the fall you should look on AIRE'S website for "Hot Sales". I bought a demo set of tubes from them at a pretty good deal a couple years back. If you don't buy direct from AIRE, I'd contact Dusty at DRL River Gypsies- he usually has lots of boats to choose from-new and used. He deals with SOTAR and AIRE, and sells frames, so you might find your "one stop shopping" with him. He also fabricates high clearance cat frames.

If not DRL, talk to AIRE and see if there are any AIRE or for that matter, SOTAR reps in your area and deal with them directly. Often times they can swing folks a good deal on boats.

Other frame options may include contacting Dave Nissan who makes Madcatr aluminum frames which are really nice. He's roughly a year out in making them, so if you're into his frame designs, act soon and don't expect it for a while. Ronnie McLay fabricates steel frames- PRE (Payette River Equipment) frames of which I use and like. He can customize anything you want and his turn around is 2-3 weeks depending on how busy he is. He's based out of Ontario, Oregon. Perhaps not as light or sexy as a Madcatr, but super tough and a good design.

Being that you're on the East coast, shipping all this stuff is gonna run into some cash unless you can somehow find another person around where you are and split motor freight costs... Boatertalk is another forum that seems to be more East Coastish-maybe put out a thread there to see if anyone is looking to throw down for new rigs.

Have fun getting your new rig!
Shoot me a PM if you have any specific questions about cats...

Doug

Some great information, thank you!!

 

[mtrafter]

Yeah no cheryl booo! I here shes a new grandmommy though i think im going to swing by sotar in a few days ill let you know whats in stock lol

 

[Learch]

Yeah no cheryl booo! I here shes a new grandmommy though i think im going to swing by sotar in a few days ill let you know whats in stock lol

Get us the scoop on Cheryl too, she's pretty awesome. I've corresponded with her a few times on my boat.

 

[Chip]

I'll add another thumbs-up for Jack's inflatable boats, self bailing rafts, catarafts, pontoons, inflatable kayaks, dry bags, paco pads, spill containments, culvert plugs by Jack's Plastic Welding Inc.

Bought my first cat from Jack 25 years ago and now have four. no rips, no leaks, no worries. The one closest to your spec is this one:

Built the frame in my garage. Total weight (with floor, stands, locks, and seat) ended up at 47.5 lb.

Tubes are Jack's Cutthroat (12.5' x 16") with 4 dees per side. The oars are Gull 7-1/2 footers.

The oarstands are homebuilt. The scouting floor is a half-panel of PolyMax kennel floor. This one's about five years old, no trouble so far.

Jack's also sells a paddle frame (Fat Pack Cat) for the 16" tubes, which is nice for low water and narrow creeks. Two boats with one set of tubes. Here's the paddle frame—

 

[Machias]

Thanks for sharing the photos!!