I am in the market for a packable personal raft and this is the only one I have bee able to find. http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=23925F&WT.mc_id=gb1 Has anyone tried this one? Durability? I would appreciate any advice/feedback. Thanks. I've seen people using the blue "tote n' floats" but I have not been able to find them anywhere.

Water Master, like the Tote-N-Float only better.

thx

alpacka rafts.

I wish I had the cash for one.

Riva rat,

By packable do you mean "backpackable?" If so, then the Sevylor is about the best that is light weight, low bulk, and readily available. At about 3 1/2 pounds, the only thing lighter I know of are the Curtis backpack rafts at 2 pounds. Unfortunately Curtis stopped making them, and you'd have to shop the used market.

Alpackas are more durable but heavier, bulkier, starting at about 6 pounds and up.

If by packable you mean easily packed and carried in your car but not on your back, then the successor to the Tote 'N' Flote is the Watermaster, which also has a couple knockoffs (Waterskeeter is one) that fill the same niche with slight variations in features. But they're all around 30 pounds or so. One of the knockoffs has good features and is about $400 less, but I don't remember its name.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Thanks for the great info. I am sure I will be able to find something suitable with all the suggestions. Appreciate it!

i've been trying to decide between getting a pontoon boat or a raft for this fall/winter fishing. it wouldn't be to fish out of, more just for expanding my bank access on rivers that i can't wade across(e.g. paddling to the other side).

i'm wondering why some of these smaller rafts are outrageously expensive($1000+) whereas a serviceable pontoon boat can be had for under $500. it would seem like it'd be more expensive to design and manufacture a pontoon.

Riva rat,
You didn't mention this. Would you be using the raft primarily for rivers or stillwater?

Chum Man,

The small rafts are more expensive than cheap pontoon boats because they're made to be durable and suited to more extreme service, like Class III or IV rapids. A sub-$500 'toon isn't suited to that degree of service from what I've seen.

Sg

One of the first owners of Water Master left a few years back to start a new portable raft company called Water Strider. Much like and the main competition to Water Master would be worth a look also.

Check out ABEL. May be a little pricey but my friend has one and it packs and hikes well. Also durable as hell.

I believe Abel discontinued making their rafts. Same with their rods and much of their luggage due to cost issues.
As you mentioned, their boats were very well made.

SeaEagle.com
They are durable and they make white water rafts and kayaks class lV water
Model SE370 $350
12'4" 34lbs

The Abel portable raft was made by and what is now called Water Strider, they have a web site with a lot of information and vedio of it in action.

thanks for all the great info. To answer some of the questions form above; I was looking for a "back packable" raft for use in rivers. No major rapids. Just to get to the opposite side or to go down or explore small stretches of river