Lightweight pack raft

“As in 2 lbs 6 oz and around $250...sound good so far? You might have never heard of a Curtis Raft, but they're sorta legendary around here. The guy who used to make them decided to give it up a few years ago, so another couple of guys are working on an improved design. They're great for fishing, floating out to islands, or finding an isolated campsite across a lake. There's details, pictures and lots of questions answered here (at NWHikers.net) If you're interested, the more folks that order, the less the cost.

Here's one in action:


”

“Interesting.”

“How does it inflate? Lungpower? Does it come with a bottle of win, like in the photo?If so, what kind of wine?

I've had this idea before, by that I mean taking a raft on a hike...but then I decided it's not really a practical combination, rafting and hiking. I rekun it's mostly because around here, you float in rivers, so you can just put all your gear in a canoe and cruise...Still, it's a cool idea, especially with such a lightweight boat as this one. There's not a lot of room for extra gear though....It would be great for trout fishing out in the lake...like a survival trip kinda deal.”

“I've rafted my pack across a lake and set up a sweet camp well away from anyone else. The raft is made for one, but can hold two, but expect to get your butt wet.

The bottle of wine was my girlfriend's idea. She put it in my pack - I told her I didn't mind, but next time, put it in a friggin' Nalgene or something.”

“kleetn,

I used a seyvlor version of that boat (looks almost identical and the specs seems the same other than cost) during an adventure race years ago. They functioned well but the material quality made me nervous due to its low quality. I dig the idea of a packraft to got where foot travel is heavily restricted.”

“I bought one of these a couple years ago.

https://www.alpackaraft.com/store/index.cfm?ProductID=66&do=detail”

“Geez, two of you in that thing would be a bit crowded.
You would have to be on top of one another to fit.”

“You would have to be on top of one another to fit.

You saw da picture...would that be a problem?”

“The only "problem" I could imagine might be deciding who gets to ride on top.

Y'all could flip for it................two out of three.”

“kleetn- If you haven't already, there is a small contingent of pack rafters over at Backpackinglight.com, they even have a dedicated forum for it. I don't know if they would enjoy the sales pitch, but that's the place to go to share ideas about such things.

Here is the link:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/display_forum.html?forum=56”

“The boat that fridge referred to i've seen in action. A friend of mine took it on a week long solo trip in Alaska a couple of times. It's BOMBER. He took it on a trip here with me once as a 'tune up' for the alaskan trip. It's a little heavier than kleentn's but i would wager much more durable, and probably more expensive.”

“Kleetn is "light as a feather"........whacks on, whacks off.”

“This is mine but it ain't for backpacking, lol. I've taken it through some very rough stuff in Ontario. Damn near impossible to tip over.


”

“Kleetn, I can see where having a raft like that would be ideal for fishing so you can get out to the middle on some of the bigger lakes and hook the lunkers.”

“Lunkers?”

“Lunker: picture a whale, only a little smaller.”

“Yeah, the biiiiig ones...”

“Don't get me wrong, I'm not selling these things. My only interest is getting the word out to others who might be interested – and thereby possibly lowering the price with a large initial order. I want to get one so I don’t have to share with my gf.

They’re definitely not made for anything other than floating, and so far they’re the lightest on the market (that I know of).”

“YA got a link to the product website?”

“I don't think they even have a website yet, just an email addy for those who want more info: Info@flyweightdesigns.com (pics and specs are also in the link I posted in my initial post).”

“Can't you just float on your girl friend after you inflate her?”

“Ya mean like this?

”

“No more often than one would be used, I believe buying a one-or-two man vinyl raft at the sporting goods department would fit the bill... if you don't mind the additional several-ounce weight.

I used a one-man kids raft in the last ever Ramblin' Raft Race in'79. I propped my feet atop my beer cooler, which was in tow, wrapped with a car tire innertube.”

“Looks like the life rafts for pilots of Fighters....”

“being aired up, Mike has the 'pump' tool.



on float...

last edited: 11/04/09 10:39:51 AM”

“Jeeze! $800 tho! I'd rather get a used ocean kayak...”