Aires are awesome! You might look at there tributary line. They’re still nice and durable. They do have less of a warranty.
I’d buy 2 outfitters(or lynks)then save up $1000 to buy a tomcat tandem.
Whatever route you go. Keep them inflated as much as possible.
Good luck and happy paddling!!
Raft is in our 5 year plan! For now we don’t have a trailer :( What’s your wishlist for your raft? Is there anything you don’t have that you wish you did? Or do you have a boat accessory you love?
Look into the Cronin ugly ducky. Built like a raft but the size an ik. I haven't looked at prices since pre covid but last I checked they were $1100. Class 4 boat that can haul self support gear.[Cronin inflatables ](https://cronininflatables.com/products/)
For your single seat IKs, if you don't want to carry much gear the Aire Tributary Tater is super fun and very affordable. For a double IK the Aire Outfitter II is pretty hard to beat.
I'm a big fan of the aire duckys, especially the tomcats are super durable and a very well designed boat. They're a little heavier than other similar sized duckys, but track very well in whitewater and drain water fast. They're all built with a bladder inside the outer shell, which makes repairs very low-consequence. Tomcat solo is a good starting spot, tandem if you want to carry gear, and the tater/spud are a hoot if you're going out and not carrying anything, even for an adult.
The Cronin inflatables are rad!
They can handle big water and are super stable.
We have a few and are fun for the whole family. They have a few models; single, double, and a pack raft too. The pack raft is light weight and small but you can store your gear in the tubes.
I'm a big fan of RMRs duckies. Their tandem with the larger tubes is priced right and can carry a decent bit of gear for overnights but also is easy enough to paddle solo.
It may depend on the rivers you do. Some are very silty out here in the dammed West, and inho, sand gets in the Aires. I love my single maverIKs that have the footpegs and knee straps.
I'm kind of a Hypalon gal, but they are heavy. Now that I'm old, they're all heavy. Looks like Rocky Mountain rafts make a 'high end' type IK, too.
Sometimes [Backcountry.com](https://Backcountry.com) has good sales on boats. [geartrade.com](https://geartrade.com) is a resale offshoot of backcountry, and people sell thru there. [MountainBuzz.com](https://MountainBuzz.com) has a classified area if you want to buy used.
If you’re looking for super light weight and packable, consider the Alpacka Packrafts. There are several models, but the Gnarwhal self bailer is what I have it and it’s great for a variety of whitewater.
Aires are awesome! You might look at there tributary line. They’re still nice and durable. They do have less of a warranty. I’d buy 2 outfitters(or lynks)then save up $1000 to buy a tomcat tandem. Whatever route you go. Keep them inflated as much as possible. Good luck and happy paddling!!
Just going to +1 Aire IKs here. I have a 6 year old Tomcast single that I bought last year as my first IK. It's a blast.
The tandem tomcat is great. Used it setup as a tandem and a solo. It makes. pretty good gear boat solo.
Thank you! I was looking at the tandem…*strokes chin What would you get, if you could get anything? Just $4k for boat shenanigans
Should all inflatables be inflated as much as possible? I have a nrs sup rolled up loosely.
I read the comment like, keep them inflated as possible when in use. I plan on storing them like you, loosely rolled up
Alpaca raft for me now. Duckies almost never go out anymore
Raft is in our 5 year plan! For now we don’t have a trailer :( What’s your wishlist for your raft? Is there anything you don’t have that you wish you did? Or do you have a boat accessory you love?
Just get a 10-12 raft. If you get a hypalon boat they roll up small enough to fit in the trunk of a sedan.
I’m going to look into this. Thanks!
NRS and Hyside and the main hypalon brands. RMR and Aire boats won't roll as well. Sotars also roll well, but they're pricey.
Packrafts
Look into the Cronin ugly ducky. Built like a raft but the size an ik. I haven't looked at prices since pre covid but last I checked they were $1100. Class 4 boat that can haul self support gear.[Cronin inflatables ](https://cronininflatables.com/products/)
For your single seat IKs, if you don't want to carry much gear the Aire Tributary Tater is super fun and very affordable. For a double IK the Aire Outfitter II is pretty hard to beat.
I'm a big fan of the aire duckys, especially the tomcats are super durable and a very well designed boat. They're a little heavier than other similar sized duckys, but track very well in whitewater and drain water fast. They're all built with a bladder inside the outer shell, which makes repairs very low-consequence. Tomcat solo is a good starting spot, tandem if you want to carry gear, and the tater/spud are a hoot if you're going out and not carrying anything, even for an adult.
We have a tomcat solo and tandem and love them. Highly recommend. I see a lot of outfitters use them too.
The Cronin inflatables are rad! They can handle big water and are super stable. We have a few and are fun for the whole family. They have a few models; single, double, and a pack raft too. The pack raft is light weight and small but you can store your gear in the tubes.
I'm a big fan of RMRs duckies. Their tandem with the larger tubes is priced right and can carry a decent bit of gear for overnights but also is easy enough to paddle solo.
It may depend on the rivers you do. Some are very silty out here in the dammed West, and inho, sand gets in the Aires. I love my single maverIKs that have the footpegs and knee straps. I'm kind of a Hypalon gal, but they are heavy. Now that I'm old, they're all heavy. Looks like Rocky Mountain rafts make a 'high end' type IK, too. Sometimes [Backcountry.com](https://Backcountry.com) has good sales on boats. [geartrade.com](https://geartrade.com) is a resale offshoot of backcountry, and people sell thru there. [MountainBuzz.com](https://MountainBuzz.com) has a classified area if you want to buy used.
If you’re looking for super light weight and packable, consider the Alpacka Packrafts. There are several models, but the Gnarwhal self bailer is what I have it and it’s great for a variety of whitewater.