Archive for category: Rafting

Why buy an AIRE Raft?

28 Feb 2018 / Comments Off / in Rafting, Reviews, River Running, Whitewater/by Matt Gerhardt

In our 35+ years in business, we’ve seen a lot of raft designs and brands in pretty intimate detail. We’ve also done repairs on a lot of rafts. All of this experience has led us to what we think are the best boats in the industry in AIRE Rafts, Catarafts & IKs. Here’s why:

10 Year No Fault Warranty

Hands down, AIRE has the best warranty in the business. 10 years, transferrable, No-Fault Warranty. Seriously. We deal with AIRE on a daily basis, and out of all the companies we deal with, they are one of (if not the) best to deal with in terms of warranties. Here’s the exact warranty from AIRE’s website (which can also be found here):

What this Warranty Covers: The Ten (10) year no fault warranty covers retail purchases on all AIRE branded rafts, catarafts and kayaks against defects in materials, workmanship and user damage. This warranty covers the tubes, fabric, D-ring patches, AIREcells, valves and zippers to be functional and water worthy with the following stipulations: This warranty can be void if the boat is structurally altered, used commercially or is subject to stress beyond the physical limits of the fabric and/or accessories. This warranty does not cover cosmetic wear, abrasion, excessive UV damage, abnormal abuse, neglect and/or inappropriate storage.

The Period of Coverage: The boat is covered from the original purchase date for a period of ten years. When original proof of purchase is not available or if a warranty registration was never submitted, the date of manufacturing will be used.

Dana running Black Rock on the Salt River, AZ in the AIRE Wave Destroyer 12

AIRECell System

At the heart of what makes AIREs so special, warranty aside, is the AIRECell construction. Think of it like a bike tube inside of a bike tire. While all other PVC raft manufacturers are using just a single layer of heavy-duty PVC fabric, AIRE is taking that same fabric, welding it together just like everyone else, but then putting a urethane bladder inside as the actual air holding membrane.

What advantages does this give? It makes them extremely easy to repair. Blow a baffle? Simply unzip the heavy-duty dual zipper and replace the bladder. Got a giant gash from running over something sharp? Replace the bladder, patch the shell and its effectively as good as new in regards to air holding capabilities! Need to do a small, simple riverside patch? Get to the bladder and tape it up with TearAid or AIRE’s repair tape, zip it back up, inflate and go! No waiting for glue to dry! Its a very versatile system from a repair standpoint.

Another advantage is the ballast floor. By design, the AIRE Cell system allows the floor to take on river water between the shell and the bladder to act as ballast for the boat. This aids in tracking and stability when things get rough by allowing the boat to “stick” to the water. It also helps on windy flat water days by allowing to boat to catch more of the sub-surface current and keep momentum. We often see AIRE’s passing other rafts on windy days.

The (very slight) disadvantages to this system are the minimal maintenance of the zippers, the occasional need to clean the floor out after lots of silty desert trips (still nothing compared to other manufacturers drop stitch floor designs…), and having to let the floor drain for a few minutes before loading it on a trailer. All that considered, we still think the gains far outweigh the setbacks of the AIRECell system.

Find out more about the AIRECell system here: http://www.aire.com/content/aire-floor-system.asp

Made in the USA

AIRE Rafts, IKs and Catarafts are 100% constructed in the USA in AIRE’s factory in Meridian, Idaho. AIRE also sources as many products as possible from US sources.

Check out some of our favorite AIRE Products like the 136DD raft, Super Puma fishing raft, the Lynx IK, or the Sabertooth Paddle Cat.

Fishing the Animas River in the AIRE Super Puma

Tributary

Looking for a boat with the AIRECell system but without the price? Check out AIRE’s Tributary line! Tributary boats use the same AIRECell design, using Vinyl instead of Urethane. Tribs are also made over seas, come with a 1 to 5 year manufacturers warranty depending on the boat, and come in one color choice. We’ve been using these boats in our rental fleet for years, and while not quite as quality as a full AIRE brand boat, they work and hold up pretty darned well. Definitely a great choice for the boater on a budget! Some of our favorites are the Tomcat and Strike IKs, Trib 14′ raft and the little Trib 9.5′ paddle raft.

PFD Buyers & Fit Guide

12 Dec 2017 / Comments Off / in Buyers Guides, Fishing, Kayaking, Rafting, SUP / Paddleboarding, Touring / Recreational, Whitewater/by Matt Gerhardt

Finding the right PFD for you

A personal floatation device, or PFD, is arguably the most important piece of gear for any paddler. Choosing gear of the utmost importance can be challenging when faced with the myriad of options offered by different manufacturers and models. This guide is designed to assist the paddler, regardless of paddling sport, in finding a PFD, that will not only be of optimal performance for the intended use, but also fit comfortably.

USCG Type

Safety first- always. The first thing to consider when shopping for a PFD is the USCG buoyancy rating for the intended activity. For recreational paddling on lakes, oceans, and rivers, it is required in many areas to have a USCG Type III, a minimum 15.5lbs of floatation for adults or 11lbs for kids, or USCG Type V, which denotes a “special use” vest and includes rescue specific, high floatation, inflatable PFD, and commercial customer PFDs. Type V’s can have between 15.5-22lbs floatation for adults and 11-15.5 for kids. As the USCG is in the process of moving away from PFD “type” categorization and towards “intended use” categorization, further elaboration on the types is not necessary. For now, all that is necessary for the inquiring paddler to know is she/he needs a type III, unless he/she requires additional floatation or a specialty vest, such as a rescue specific PFD, in which case a type V will be needed. Type I and II vests are not recommended for moving water use. Type IV devices are throwable type devices and may be required as backup flotation on permitted river trips for boats 16 feet or longer.

Fit and Sizing

Adult

Adult PFDs are sized by chest measurement and can vary by manufacturer and model. Each manufacturer has a size chart listed on their website.

One of the most important criteria for finding the right PFD is comfort- a PFD is only useful if it is worn at the time of need, and people are more likely to wear her/his vest if it fits comfortably. Of course, everybody is different and certain models will fit certain body types better than other, thus the best way to find the perfect size and fit for the individual is to physically try on each prospective vest.

When trying on a PFD, loosen all of the straps to their limit, then adjust all of the straps (starting with the lowest and moving up to the highest) so that the vest sits in the desired position as well as fits snugly. The vest should be comfortably snug. If the straps are tightened to maximum capacity and is still does not fit snugly, then it is too large. Obviously, if your vest is loosened to its maximum capacity and fits snugly, or there is no room to adjust for potential layering gear, then the vest is too small. The perfect fit will leave ample room for layering gear as well as being able to wear the vest with minimal clothing. To ensure the vest fits properly, one should fix her/his thumbs under the shoulder straps and push upward- if the vest rides up significantly, then it is too loose. If it remains in place, it fits correctly.

The Astral Layla is a popular choice for female paddlers

A women’s specific PFD has shorter panels (as women tend to be shorter through the torso than men), offer more room through the chest, and typically come in more feminine colors and designs. Female paddlers do not necessarily need to limit their selection to a women’s specific vest, and often times find that the unisex vests fit well, however, women’s specific vest tend to fit better and offer more comfort for a curvy, feminine figure. The Astral Layla is an excellent women’s specific vest offering the optimum comfort for the curvy lady paddler.

Kids

Kids PFDs are sized by weight and are categorized as:

Infant: < 30 lbs.
Child: 30-50 lbs.
Youth: 50-90lbs.

Beyond weight, it is very important to ensure the vest is a snug fit on your child and will not slip off while in the water. To do you, pull on the shoulder straps while the PFD is on the child. As with adult fitting, it should remain in place and not ride up or slide off over the head. For kids in the “infant” and “child” category, it is highly advisable that the PFD have a leg strap to ensure that the vest will not slide off over the head, as well as head supporting collars. The Stohlquist Nemo is a great example of such a vest.

PFDs by Activity

After the determination of the USCG type necessary to be on the water, the next step is to find a design that will maximize utility for the intended activity.

Whitewater Kayak / Raft / SUP

The Astral Blue Jacket fits like a glove and has more storage room than any other Type III vest

Whether paddling a kayak or SUP, rowing a raft, ect., these activities require freedom of mobility through the shoulders. To accommodate this freedom of motion, whitewater paddlers should look for a vest with an unrestrictive cut and a low-profile. Other things to consider are: multiple straps for adjustment to ensure a great fit, attachment points for securing knives, watches, and other objects, and a pocket for storing items that should be quickly and easily accessible. The Stohlquist Rocker and the Astral Blue Jacket are great examples of such vests.

Low-profile vests for freestyle kayaking or SUP river surfing should be mentioned. Paddlers in this category typically prefer vests that are as low-profile and lightweight as possible. To accommodate these desires, one can forego extra features and look for a stripped-down minimalist vest. The Astral YTV and the NRS Ninja are superb options for this category.

Low profile designs like the NRS Ninja provide ample range of motion.

A paddler might prefer a high-floatation PFD if she/he desires a faster resurface time than that of a regular type III vest. These vests are great for paddling big water or for paddlers with high muscle density and are equipped with approximately 20-22lbs of floatation, whereas, a regular type III generally has about 16.5lbs floatation. High-float vests have larger panels and tend to be more bulky, thus many paddlers opt out of the high floatation for the sake of comfort and range of motion. The NRS Big Water Guide and the Stohlquist Kahuna are great high-float options.

Rescue PFDs like the Descent are specialized for use in swiftwater rescue and high-end whitewater.

As a paddler advances into high-class whitewater, a rescue specific Type V vest should be taken into consideration. 4CRS highly recommends taking a swiftwater rescue course prior to purchasing to learn how to properly use a rescue vest. Type V’s are equipped with tow tethers, quick release belts, tie-ins, and with webbing and sewing that meets climbing grade standards for belays and live-bait rescues. To name a few, the Stohlquist Descent and the Astral Green Jacket are excellent options for the swiftwater rescue technician or advanced level paddlers.

Recreation and Fishing Kayak / SUP / Canoeing

Rec & Fishing vests like the Astral Ronny Fisher provide ample storage and low profile backs for comfort.

Recreational/fishing kayak paddlers in this category should look for a vest with large armholes to accommodate the shoulder range of motion when paddling. A mesh backing (such as the Stohlquist Fisherman), or diminished back panels (featured on the Astral Linda or Ronny) are to be desired, not only to keep the vest from interfering with a seat back, but also to orient the paddler in a face-up position in the water in case of an unconscious swim. Pockets in a variety of shapes and sizes are a necessity for the angler, and a vest such as the Astral Ronny Fisher or the aforementioned Stohlquist Fisherman offer spacious storage space. If the paddler finds her/himself in a lake with motorized traffic, bright colors and reflective tape on a vest helps with visibility.

Flatwater recreational stand up paddleboarding requires a low-profile vest as to not interfere with paddle movements with spacious armholes for full range of shoulder movement. A few great options are the Astral YTV, the NRS Ninja, and the Astral Norge or Abba. If preferred the SUPer is planning on paddling on lakes with motorized traffic, brightly colored vests and reflective tapes aides with visibility. In cases where the SUPer does not wish to wear a vest (whether it be the SUP yogi or those concerned about comfort or vanity) an inflatable PFD, such as the Astral Airbelt or the NRS Zephyr, is a viable option.

Summary

Finding the right PFD for you is paramount for your own safety. Find a PFD of the correct type that fits comfortably enough to wear properly and snug for extended periods of time is the most important aspect of purchasing a vest. Beyond type and fit, look for something that is designed with the kind of use you have in mind, with the features you want (like pockets, thin backs, low-cut or rescue hardware) and in the colors and price point that are attractive to you.

San Juan River Raft Rentals & Trip Guide

20 Jul 2017 / Comments Off / in Durango / 4Corners Area, Featured, Rafting, River Running, Whitewater/by Matt Gerhardt

Goosnecks of the Lower San Juan below Mexican Hat

CLICK HERE FOR RAFT RENTAL RATES

The lower San Juan River is one of the most classic desert multi-day river trips in the Western US, if not the world, thanks to its scenery, geology, archeology and ease of logistics. People flock from all over the world to soak in the majesty of the river as it flows from the San Juan mountains in Southern Colorado to its junction with the Colorado River (now buried under the waters of Reservoir Powell). The most popular stretch of the San Juan is the “Lower San Juan”, which runs from just outside of Bluff, UT to the final take-out at Clay Hills, UT and bisects areas of the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley and Bears Ears National Monument areas. In this guide, we will cover basic logistics, recommended on-river attractions, required equipment, available equipment and raft rentals, and other helpful info to make your San Juan river trip as memorable and worry-free as possible.

Permit:

The first step in planning a Lower San Juan trip is obtaining a launch permit via the Rec.gov San Juan River permit page. The permit lottery is run every year, with open applications from December 1st thru January 31st for the upcoming season. This is your best chance for obtaining the exact date that you want to launch. If you didn’t apply during the lottery, don’t fret, you can still apply for cancellations at any point in time during the year. Simply check for available launch dates, fill out the application and submit! Lottery winners will be notified via email shortly after the lottery ends. Cancellations are first-come first-serve, and you will automatically win the permit once you’ve paid for it.

During the application, you will also need to choose your put-in and take-out locations, which will also dictate your trip length. The shortest and easiest trip is the 27-mile top section from Sand Island (Bluff) to Mexican Hat, which is usually done as a 2 or 3 day trip and has a very easy shuttle. The 50-mile lower section goes from Mexican Hat to Clay Hills and is usually done as a 4-5 day trip, with a more difficult shuttle. Groups can also choose to do both sections congruently (as long as permits are available), and is usually done is 6-8 days. The top section is best for first-timers or those looking to do an easy weekend trip.

Floating above Mexican Hat

Both sections are great for beginners and families, with mostly Class I-II rapids and only a couple easy Class III rapids. The river bed is mostly sand with ample flatwater stretches between the drops, making it very kid and/or paddleboard friendly. The upper section is easily done year round (barring ice dams mid-winter). The lower section is better with more water than base flow (1,000cfs or more is best, but can be done much lower).

Groups planning on hiking or camping on the river left side will need to apply for a Navajo Nation hiking or camping permit. These permits are issued per person, per day, and it is recommended you submit for your Navajo permits 6 weeks or more in advance of your trip. These permits are pesky given that you need a permit for every person for each specific day you plan on stopping on the left side of the river, but it is better than being issued a citation for trespassing on a sovereign nation. It is completely possible to do the trip without stopping on the left side of the river, but you are also missing out on some of the better archeological attractions like Desecration Panel and the Chinle Wash area.

Planning:

So you’ve scored a permit; great! Now comes the hard part. Planning is often the most time consuming and frustrating part of any river trip. Making sure that you have enough gear, food and logistical planning for your entire party (as many as you applied for on your permit up to 25 max) is a daunting task, and would be too much to fully cover in one article, so we will simply touch on the basics. For more in-depth river trip planning, see our River Trip Planning Guide (coming soon) or do a quick Google search on the topic. Using a Google Spreadsheet is an easy way to coordinate gear, trip expenses and logistics between your group.

Kid and SUP friendly!

For gear, you will need enough boats to fit all your gear and people. We offer full expedition raft rental packages in multiple sizes that come with frame & oars, cooler, drybox, camp table and all rigging & repair material necessary for your trip. In general, 14′ or 16′ expedition boats are best and will fit 3-5 adults depending on how much gear and beer you bring along. You can find more info on raft and equipment rentals for your San Juan River Trip on our Rentals Page.

Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) or Inflatable Kayaks are also a great addition to your San Juan River trip. The sandy bottom and gentle current of the Juan makes it a very SUP friendly trip. Both SUPs or IKs make it easy to get out and away from the boat for a bit, and give non-rowers and opportunity to have their own adventure. Check out our SUP and Inflatable Kayak Rental Rates here.

You will want to check the River Use Stipulations to make sure that you have all required gear, including first aid, repair kits, fire pan, approved toilet system, and other required equipment.

Dutch oven cooking

Another helpful planning / packing guide is our River Trip Checklist, which will give each member of the group an idea of what they should bring on the trip. Make sure that you have enough group gear for you camp / kitchen. Plan on bringing all your drinking water, as the silty water is nearly impossible to filter. Plan on approx. 1 gallon per person per day in the summer. For shoulder and off season trips, you can often get away with 3/4 gallon per person per day. If all else fails, there is always “water in beer”, as they say. Plan on easy meals for breakfast and lunch, allowing more time for hiking and sightseeing. Dutch ovens are often great ways to cook big meals without a big production.

Remember, thorough planning is truly the key to a good trip, so spend ample time planning out logistics, gear, meals and make sure that all of your trip members are informed and on the same page.

Executing:

Big sandy camping in the Comb Wash / Lime Ridge area

You’ve spent days, weeks, months of planning and now your launch date is here! Time to get on the water!

Keep in mind that there are few amenities in Bluff or Mexican Hat or anywhere nearby, so be sure to plan ahead and get any last minute gear / food / alcohol before you hit the road. Bluff is your best bet for last minute items. There is good camping at the put-in (pay spots) or nearby (Comb Wash and Valley of the Gods are great areas to camp). There is also free potable water at Sand Island, but we recommend calling ahead to make sure the spigots are currently working. For shuttle services, we recommend Valles Trading Post in Mexican Hat (435-683-2226). You can also pay a small fee to leave your vehicle at Valles to avoid break-ins at the notoriously sketchy Mexican Hat Boat Ramp. It is an easy walk from the takeout up the hill to Valles.

Once you have your shuttle dealt with, you’ll need to check in with the River Ranger at the put-in. They will want to see all your required equipment, so make sure not to pack said gear away before you checkout. The ranger will give you important and current details about river conditions, camps and archeological sites. They are also there to answer any last minute questions you may have. This is also a great time to chat with other groups about potential camps and will help avoid conflicts or tension.

Butler Wash Art Panel

If you’re putting on at Sand Island, we would highly recommend stopping at the Butler Wash Art Panel, Desecration Panel, and River House Ruins on your first day. Camping in the Comb Ridge / Lime Ridge area is the best for your first day. The second day, you will find yourself deep in the upper canyon, where there are fun little surf waves and plenty of scenery. Eight Foot Rapid is the only rapid to watch for in this section. Ledges or Fossil Stop are good camps in this zone.

If putting on at Mexican Hat, you start off with a Gypsum Creek, a small class two rapid. Almost instantly you are pushed into the canyon, with the red walls growing rapidly out of the water. The first day is fairly mellow with mostly flat water. There are several camps from a mere seven miles down to fifteen miles down if you are looking for a longer day. Day two you’re looking at two rapids, Twin Canyons Rapid and Ross Rapid, both have incredible camps below with side canyon hikes available. By the third day you are deep in the canyon, listening to Canyon Wrens and watching baby Big Horn Goats frolicking with their siblings. The camp to have on this day is John’s canyon. This camp offers a short hike up to a swimming hole called John’s hole where you can jump anywhere from a five foot cliff to a twenty foot cliff into the murky water. Day four brings government rapid (the most technical rapid) and lots of flat water. The best camps on this day are the slick horn camps, with more hikes to swimming holes offered by the canyon. By this time you have nearly reached the high-water level of Powell, so the last day comes with a big push through lots of flat water meandering your way through sand bars. It is recommended to break one long flat day into two days and camping at Oljeto Wash or Steer Gulch. The drive out may require a four wheel drive vehicle, so call Valles ahead of time to enquire about road conditions.

RESOURCES:

BLM River Office – (435) 587-1544

Notes: Permit applications due by Jan 31. Cancellation permits available year round.

Shuttle Info:

Shuttles from Sand Island to Mexican Hat take one hour, while shuttles from Sand Island to Clay Hills take 4-5 hours. Commercial outfitters provide the shuttles for a fee.

Shuttle Service Providers:

Valle’s Trading Post (435) 683-2226 (trips taking-out at Mexican Hat only)
Blackhawk Transportation (435) 678-3224 (trips taking-out at Clay Hills)
Jim Hardin (435) 672-2455 (trips taking out at Clay Hills)

Mellow SUP surfing at Mile 11

Other sections of the San Juan:

San Juan Quality Waters: this incredible piece of trout fishing waters is some of the most sought after in the entire country. The first 5 miles below Navajo Dam, NM are packed full of Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brown Trout. Despite its short length, its easy to spend an entire day here floating and fly fishing the calm waters of the San Juan Quality Waters. Our AIRE Super Puma Fishing Raft Rental is the perfect craft for a day on the Quality Waters. Our Canoe or Inflatable Kayak Rentals work well on this section also. The most popular stretch is from Texas Hole to Crusher Hole, which is 4.5 miles. You can also extend the trip an additional 1.5 miles down just past the “Aztec Bridge” at Browns Corner.

Mesa Canyon: This often overlooked gem of a run is located just downstream of Pagosa Springs, CO and runs through 13 miles of picturesque canyons and farmlands, with easy and entertaining Class II-III whitewater. This is a great run for aspiring rafters to cut their teeth with some very manageable rapids at moderate flows. At high flows, experienced whitewater kayakers will have a blast here with lots of on-the-fly surf waves, while rafters will have a fairly continuous barrage of fast corners and big wave trains. The put-in is behind the Malt Shoppe, and the takeout is on Trujillo Road where there is an obvious takeout right next to the road. This is the only public access on the stretch, and there is no stopping allowed, except at one designated spot about half-way thru the run on some private land that has been generously opened to day use as a stopping area. Please be respectful here, or it may go away. Our AIRE Super Puma, Tributary 12′ or 14′ Raft Rentals are the perfect boats for this stretch. Consider an Inflatable Kayak Rental if you’re looking for more excitement, and the water levels are on the medium or low side.

Dolores River Shuttles

23 Mar 2017 / Comments Off / in Durango / 4Corners Area, Kayaking, News / Events, Rafting, River Running, Whitewater/by Matt Gerhardt

Looking to get on the Dolores this spring? Here’s some contact info for shuttle services:

*4CRS has no association with Dolores River Shuttles. Please contact them directly for more info.*

Dolores River Shuttle Service

Doing Business For over 25 years

Jamie Huskey – (970) 677-2301 or (970) 739-4561

Torie Davis – (970) 560-1475

Price includes a fee our vehicle to take our drivers to your vehicle and bring them back from your destination.

Cahone to Slickrock – $90 first vehicle / $35 for each extra up to 4
Cahone to Gypsum – $195 first vehicle / $75 for each extra up to 4
Cahone to Pump Station – $90 first vehicle / $35 for each extra up to 4
Cahone to Bedrock – $210 first vehicle / $85 for each extra up to 4
Cahone to Gateway – $250 first vehicle / $110 for each extra up to 4
Slickrock to Gypsum – $120 first vehicle / $45 for each extra up to 4
Slickrock to Bedrock – $210 first vehicle / $55 for each extra up to 4
Slickrock to Gateway – $190 first vehicle / $75 for each extra up to 4
Slickrock to Dewey Bridge – $340 first Vehicle / $150 for each extra up to 4

A $12 per hour waiting fee will be charged if we have to wait for more than 15 mins.

The parking lot at Slickrock is privately owned and there is a $5 a day parking fee. This charge needs to be paid before parking there. This fee is not included in the shuttle fees.

Swap & Sale 2015

24 Mar 2015 / Comments Off / in Durango / 4Corners Area, Events, Featured, Fishing, Kayaking, News / Events, Playboating, Rafting, River Running, Sales / Discounts, SUP / Paddleboarding, Touring / Recreational/by Matt Gerhardt

4CRS Annual Boat & Gear Swap & Sale

May 2nd & 3rd, 2015

Join us for our annual Boat & Gear Swap & Sale at 4Corners Riversports on May 2 & 3 in Durango, Colorado. We’ll have our parking lot packed with tons of used rafts, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, paddles, PFDs, river gear and much more! We’ll also have all our new merchandise in the store discounted at 10% – 50% off. This is the largest paddle sports & boat swap in the Four Corners area. This is your best chance to find a great deal on new or used boats, boards or gear. Don’t miss it!

Doors open at 9am on Saturday and we’ll start displaying used gear at 7:30am.

Gear check-in will be on Friday, May 1st at 4CRS from 9am to 7pm. You can also pre-register your used gear online here.

We’re also giving away a Boardworks Jetty 11′ Stand Up Paddle Board Package on Saturday at 1pm! Click here for more info on how to enter to win a new SUP package!

And if thats not enough, we’ve got Erik Lang from AIRE / Inflatable Restoration & Repair doing a raft repair clinic at 2pm on Saturday!

Click here for more info!

NRS Outlaw 13 Cataraft Customer Review

18 Mar 2015 / Comments Off / in Durango / 4Corners Area, Rafting, Reviews, Whitewater/by Matt Gerhardt

NRS Outlaw 13’ Cataraft Review

Purchased: Spring 2014 from 4CRS
Uses: Class III–V whitewater, Desert Floats, Fishing
Location: SW Colorado

I have rowed an AIRE Super Duper Puma for the past 6 years with great success on some of the areas more challenging whitewater. I love my raft but have become fascinated by the simplicity and maneuverability of a small cat. Over the past few seasons my friends introduced me to various types of Sotar Legend and AIRE Wave Destroyer tubes. I was nearly talked into a 13’ Legend when I saw the NRS Outlaw 13 cataraft tubes on the web. The specs looked solid and the price was definitely right. The only downside I saw was the shorter warranty and non-domestic production. However, I’ve always received great customer support from NRS. I decided to take a chance and add an Outlaw cataraft to the fleet.

Side by side with the AIRE Wave Destroyer and Sotar Legend

My Outlaw, nicknamed “Burl Haggard”, has been unbelievably solid thus far. Last year I rowed it on Westwater Canyon, the Piedra River, San Juan River and Animas River (Upper and Lower). It has handled everything from big desert waves to technical rocky drops with relative ease. The large 23” tubes provide a stable ride and the 27” kick helps punch through holes without being too “surfy”. If play surfing is what you want to do, the Outlaw excels at that too. I spent several days at the Smelter play park surfing and hanging out with friends. I was able to ride some fairly steep waves without dipping the nose cones and getting bucked out.

After some contemplating, I chose to use a modified 54” wide NRS Sport Cat frame. This allows me to use the same Cataract SGG 8.5’ oars that I use on my raft setup. Not having to buy another set of oars saved me a ton of money. The seat is mounted on the center-line of the tubes with the front lower crossbar acting as the foot bar. There is plenty of room behind the rower for one passenger on a multi-day trip or a cooler and drop bag full of gear on a solo excursion. This narrower configuration tracks well and provides confidence in tight rapids.

Running Powerline Rapid on the Lower Taos Box of the Rio Grande. Photo courtesy of Dana Kopf/www.bitcastle.net

Running Powerline Rapid on the Lower Taos Box of the Rio Grande. Photo courtesy of Dana Kopf/bitcastle.net

The weight of the Outlaw Cataraft has surprised more than a few of my buddies. Even with 6 chambers and the longest frame it’s still one of the lightest in our group. Carrying it down steep banks to difficult launch sites is a breeze. The large comfortable handles are great. It’s also really convenient to be able to load and unload it from a trailer by myself.

The tubes are not only lightweight, they are also very tough. The 41 oz. PVC coated 2000 denier material has taken a handful of gouges, slices and scuffs from a wide array of hidden sticks and sharp rocks. NONE of them have leaked. They have been stored inflated in my shop for the winter with no air loss at all. That’s more than can be said for a couple of new Sotar Legends in the group that have required patches for rather mild incidental damages. I’m not saying the Outlaw is the toughest cataraft out there but it more than holds its own against the big names (at a fraction of the cost).

Side by side with the AIRE Wave Destroyer at the Upper Animas put-in

There are still a few things about the Outlaw cat that could be better. The chafe strip is not super thick so my frame has nearly rubbed through it in a couple spots. Since the boat is PVC it’s easy enough to reinforce, patch or replace. The nose cones seem heavy duty but would probably be tough and/or expensive to replace. I have inadvertently slammed a few walls with them and they barely have a scratch, but it’s something that lingers in the back of mind. The last issue is more of a suggestion than complaint, but if the Outlaw were offered in just a couple more colors I think it would sell better. The Aire, Sotar and Maravia color options allow for a certain amount of flamboyant personalization that speaks to the quirkiness of water sports enthusiasts. I like it in the boring old blue, but some would rather spend the cash for something a bit flashier.

Zach in the meat of No Name Rapid on the Upper Animas

Last fall I bought a motor mount and attached a 4hp outboard to the Outlaw. Who knew it would make such a fun little fishing rig. Two fishermen managed to scoot around the local lake at about 8mph. We did however drop a bunch of gear in the water due to the lack of a floor. I’ll definitely add a mesh floor before I head back out and lose another tackle box.

At this point, I really couldn’t be more pleased with my purchase. The Outlaw is a lightweight, nimble, tough and capable craft. It’s a great platform on which to advance my whitewater skills and I can’t wait to tackle new runs in it this 2015 season. At the current price point of $1,395, I don’t see how you could go wrong.

Zach Milke

Bayfield, CO

Updated Lower Animas river map

16 Jan 2015 / Comments Off / in Durango / 4Corners Area, Kayaking, Kent Ford, Rafting, River Advocacy / Issues, River Running, SUP / Paddleboarding, Touring / Recreational, Whitewater/by Matt Gerhardt

Kent Ford has updated his Lower Animas (Dallabetta to Farmington, NM) river map. You can view and download the PDF file below:

Animas River Paddle Trail Guide / Map

2014 AIRE Closeout List – Rafts, Catarafts, IKs ON SALE!

25 Sep 2014 / Comments Off / in Featured, Kayaking, Rafting, Sales / Discounts, Whitewater/by Matt Gerhardt

AIRE | Rafts, Catarafts, Inflatable Kayaks Whitewater Rafting Accessories and Boats

AIRE has just posted their 2014 closeout list! Now is a great time to get a new raft, cataraft or IK from one of the best manufacturers in the biz!

Buy a closeout through us and get 20% off in-stock accessories and 15% off any special order accessories! (frames & dryboxes excluded)

Get a new rig at the best prices of the year!

Subject to availability. Stock is limited. Offer expires 12/31/14.

4CRS Boat Swap & Sale 2014

01 Apr 2014 / Comments Off / in Durango / 4Corners Area, Featured, Fishing, Kayaking, News / Events, Playboating, Rafting, River Running, Sales / Discounts, SUP / Paddleboarding, Touring / Recreational, Whitewater/by Matt Gerhardt

4CRS Annual Boat & Gear Swap & Sale – May 3 & 4th

Join us for our 33rd annual Boat & Gear Swap & Sale at 4Corners Riversports in Durango, Colorado. We’ll have our parking lot packed with tons of used rafts, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, paddles, PFDs, river gear and much more! We’ll also have all our new merchandise in the store discounted at 10% – 50% off. This is the largest paddle sports & boat swap in the Four Corners area. This is your best chance to find a great deal on new or used boats, boards or gear. Don’t miss it!

Doors open at 9 am on Saturday and we’ll start displaying used gear at 7:30.

Gear check-in will be on Friday, May 2nd at 4CRS. You can also pre-register your used gear online here.

Click here for more info!

Grand Canyon of the Colorado with Chris Baer

14 May 2013 / 0 Comments / in Chris Baer, Durango / 4Corners Area, Kayaking, Rafting, River Running, Trip Reports, Whitewater/by 4CRS

Grand Canyon of the Colorado 2013 from Chris Baer on Vimeo.

Getting comfortable in our new home

It had been two years, and Ryan (Fish) Cole and I were due for our Grand Canyon fix. This time Fish pulled the permit for our warmest trip yet, we would depart in the middle of February. Our journey would take 28 days and, as always, would be packed full of good friends and fun adventures.

Project Mayhem getting packed up in Granite CO

The participant list grew, shrunk, and changed multiple times. It was amazing how hard it was to lock down rafters for a full month, even if it was for the Grand Canyon. The final blow was Rachel Day epic-ly crashing her bicycle with less then a week from launch date.

Mustache March in full force Here is a quick blow by blow of the trip:

gangster lean

we got to observe a full lunar cycle

Day 1, Fish’s bus arrives to Lee’s Fairy, we unload a TON of gear and pack it into seven rafts.

Koreen Padken, taking a dive at House Rock

Day 2, Only seventeen miles into our trip we had our first swimmer. Koreen Padjen ejected herself at House Rock. Coincidentally, I had removed myself from my raft there almost exactly four years previous.

Austin Nickle, Jed Policky, Ryan Cole, Joselin Reeves jamming out at Redwall Cavern

Vasey’s Paradise

Day 3, Vasey’s Paradise, and Redwall Cavern, we stayed at Redwall until the sun dipped back behind the towering canyon wall.

Jake Rehn enjoying some winter weather at Red Wall Cavern

Day 4, Camped on a tiny spit of land, the wind picked up, and my tent and sleeping bag went tumbleweeding into the river. Thankfully, the tent and DriDown sleeping bag dried out completely in only a few hours.

The peninsula that I called home

Nankoweap the classic view

Nankoweap in the evening double click to check it out in full screen, I like the moon in the corner

Day 5, Lay over and photo session at Nankoweap.

Just another evening in the ditch

Bocce!

Day 6, Windy 18 mile day, amazing super tall red walls at camp, lots of bocce ball.

pretty cool what are eyes can’t perceive

Day 7, First flip. Basalt hole at mile 69 1/2 has a rather large hole on the left hand side. Luckily, I was less then 50 feet away and got a great view of Chad and Annika as their boat rolled over.

Great Grey Heron

Day 8, Close calls everywhere, Koreen almost flipped end over end onto my raft in Sockdolager. We stopped for a quick post card exchange at Phantom Ranch and were dejected by the clerk who was sold out of stamps.

Austin Nickle making his way into Horn Creek

Day 9, Second flip, Koreen got spun entering into Horn Creek lost her angle and went huge in the hole at the bottom. To add more entertainment, Jake and Josolin hit the bottom hole almost perfectly sideways and cleared all the water out of the hole… I still can’t figure out how Jake’s boat stayed right side up.

Jake Rehn and Joselin Reeves miraculously stayed upright

Jake Rehn and Joselin Reeves with a cleaner line

Day 10, Crystal claimed our third flip, as all of us ran left Kelly caught a big part of the left wall and flipped.

Kelly Bergdolt enjoying one of her rescued beers after her flip at Crystal

Stanley Low Life’s for life! Day 11, WILD! Lower Bass camp entertained with horseshoes and bocce ball.

Damn!

Jed Policky making his way through Hermit

Day 12, The guide book says to go right at Bed Rock… Good thing I don’t have a guide book. Jed, Austin, and I all charged left for the sporty line.

another adventure of a life time

Day 13, A 10 mile day with Deubendorff, everyone’s lines were distinctly different, and everyone came out laughing about “the big hole they crushed.”

Snow, cactus, and the Colorado river

Hiking up Thunder River

Thunder River as it falls out the side of the mountain

Day 14, Thunder River is a beautiful hike with supper diverse ecosystems. There is rumor that you can access a cave that is the headwaters of the river. Upon inspection, the final rock climbing move looked incredible sketchy. We chicken out and the “DRAGONS” of Thunder River live on.

Deer Creek Waterfall

Day 15, Deer Creek waterfall is gorgeous.

Kelly Bergdolt in Olo Canyon

Day 16, Olo canyon, another sketchy climb brought us into a fun Matkatamiba style canyon. Upset Rapid almost upset all of us as we came blue angeling in. Upset is definitely class 8 at low water.

Kelly Bergdolt and Jed Policky working their way up Olo Canyon

Party boat in the bright blue travertine water of Havasu Canyon

Day 17, Hiked Matkatamibia, and Havasu, such a neat place with the travertine water running bright blue.

Matkatamibia, train!

Koreen Padjen and Jake Rehn playing in Matkatamibia Canyon

Day 18, Another layer over, hiked National Canyon and got wild for “Tutu Tuesday.”

Natural art

Day 19, Honga Springs, small camp, with a small eddy. While setting up the groover, my boat was bobbing rather precariously and became unsecured… The raft started floating away from me and up the eddy. Austin took it upon himself and jumped in to save it. In the process of diving into the water after the boat Austin lost his boxers. Not the first skinny dip and certainly not the last.

Jake Rehn and Joselin Reeves crushing in Lava

Fish and Jed Policky leading the charge into Lava

Day 20, LAVA!… Actually it was rather boring. There wasn’t a single swimmer. We did meet the “Pirate” group at Tequila Beach and made such good friends with them that we pushed down stream to party at their camp.

Tequila brings out the best in everyone

Rainy evenings bring amazing sunrises

Day 21, The next morning I awoke to the beach looking like a bomb went off. Both groups had tents set up everywhere. Coffee was necessary, and a late departure from the beach was emanate. Amazingly we pushed hard and made it all the way to Granite Park.

all it all is… erosion

Day 22, Layover at Granite Park, maintenance day for everyone, until the Pirates showed up, PARTY!

ouch

Day 23, The Pirates were running low on bread and we made them a fabulous offer, our bread for their whiskey and bacon. I couldn’t believe it, but the barter system worked! That afternoon another trip floated by and we watched them enter Rapid 209. To our luck, they had no idea about the hydraulic and we got to watch two of their boats flip.

team junk show, showing us why 209 is a more then worthy rapid

Day 24, Pumpkin Hot Springs was our lunch stop. The weather was cooperating so well that we made it to the cliff jump and five of us thought it was warm enough to take the plunge.

Jake Rehn taking the leap

Diamond peak, nearing the end

Day 25, Passed Diamond Creek, the Grand Canyon was technically over. The sad note was our beer supply was running dangerously low. Worst note, our winter trip was getting warm enough to create a ton of very hungry sand flies.

Jed Policky crushing

Day 26, Last day of rapids, super fun rowing in shorts and a cotton pearl snap. Aiming for the biggest features trying to stay cool.

Bobcat spotting

the Bobcat wasn’t as excited about our appearance

Party Barge Day 27-28, Party Barge, all of the rafts were clipped together and some ingenious “tarpology” was put to use protecting us from the sun. We slowly traveled 40 miles to Pierce’s Ferry.

Lot’s of gear to pack into a bus Take out, pack 28 days worth of stuff back into Fish’s bus and head to In and Out Burger.

another adventure by Chris Baer

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