Size, the most basic decision you need to make about your cataraft.

The smaller the tubes (inflatable hulls) and frame, the lighter and less expensive your boat will be. It will be easier to transport and it will be easier to handle on the water with less effort required on the oars to move the boat. Catarafts are generally easier to handle than drift boats because they are significantly lighter for the carrying capacity. Also, they have a smaller wetted surface for their displaced weight. After a long day on the water a lighter cataraft will still make a difference in how tired your muscles will be - compared with a larger cataraft model. The weight of the whole package on the water goes up exponentially with the length.

On the other hand, a bigger boat will carry more people and gear. There will be more room to move around, stand up to fight a fish, etc.

Catarafts are forgiving when moderately overloaded.

For that reason I recommend ordering the smallest tubes and frame that will cover your most common usage. That is, if you almost always fish with one friend on board, but occasionally might want a third person along, order a cataraft for two and overload it occasionally. Conversely, if most of your trips are multi-day camping floats and you only occasionally do a day trip, get the package a bit larger than needed for the number of people you'll usually have on board.

The standard frame sizes shown with the NRS tubes below are a good choice for most uses. Other tubes are available. Call for details.

These dimensions provide a well proportioned cataraft with a good length to width ratio for easy handling and the lightest possible weight for most uses. However, frames can be ordered shorter than these standard lengths in two ft. increments.  The shorter frame will be lighter, a bit less expensive and more responsive in whitewater.

The Packages listed are ready to go with everything you need including the following items:

*  Cataraft tubes / repair maintenence kit in waterproof case
*  Cataraft frame includes the two upper decks, the lower deck, all cross braces and tube straps plus the whitewater grade rowing system and a single anchor setup.
*  Whitewater rowing system includes proper length oars, oarstands, bearings, 5/8" shaft bronze oarlocks, oar-sleeves, Oar-rights
*  Single anchor system - all pulleys, cleats and 50 ft. of line. You provide the anchor (typically a 15 to 20 lb mushroom)
*  The 14 ft cataraft package comes with 3 cross braces. The 16 and 18 ft catarafts come with four cross braces.

Accessories You Can Add Include:

These include an additional anchor (or more than one in special cases) or an extra cross brace. You can upgrade one or more of your cross braces to a leaning bar cross brace or an outboard motor transom cross brace - at either end of the frame. You can also add an electric motor mount, rod holders, life jackets, manual or electric air pumps, outfitter quality buckle straps in various lengths - and almost any other items you might need. A phone call can help me understand your needs and I can offer suggestions to complete your package.

Basic Package Dimensions and Capacity

*  This is the frame width at the upper decks - which does not include the oarstands or the oar blade holders which extend out another 4 or 5 inches on each side of the frame. A standard length frame is 6 ft shorter than the hull length leaving three feet of tube - uncovered by the frame - at each end. A short River King frame is a two-foot frame section shorter than the standard frame - leaving four feet of uncovered tube at each end of the frame.

A shorter frame is advised for a cataraft that will typically be used in heavier whitewater rivers. This is only for the oarsman's comfort. It's harder controlling a longer frame boat as it usually carries a heavier load and that mass will be distributed further from the center of rotation creating more work for the oarsman when attempting to turn the boat in the current.

Basic Package Prices

* This is a complete package price that includes the hulls, the frame with a single anchor system, a complete Carlisle whitewater grade oar system , the full length lower deck, etc. - ready to go in the water. You can add options to this package. See below.
 

More About Inflatable Cataraft Tubes
 

NRS Hypalon Tubes

 The first thing you need to know is that inflatable technology has advanced considerably in the last few years. Inflatable whitewater grade hulls  are almost indestructible nowadays. We can provide cataraft packages with a variety of tubes - but we prefer the NRS Hypalon. These will provide many years of trouble free service -  in many cases, virtually unlimited service life - if the tubes are properly taken care of and used. 

The NRS tubes are built with Hypalon™ fabric and typically have three air chambers per tube. The main fabric is 41 oz., 1100 denier. The bottom skid plates are 48 oz, 1670 denier. A 35 oz, 840 denier frame wear patch is laminated to the top. NRS uses Leafield valves. Get more information on these tubes at the NRS website.

At some times od the year the NRS Hypalon tubes are sometimes in short supply.

The best way to get exactly what you want - color-wise and size-wise- is to place your order for a River King cataraft with NRS tubes as soon as possible. During mid-summer there are sometimes tubes available  - usually from cancelled orders - but no assurance as to color, size, etc.

I usually run a pre-season early-bird special during September for delivery in the spring. Check this website at that time or call. 

You can purchase tubes from other suppliers if you wish.

For best matching to the frame and best performance for fishing or as a research platform the center section of the tube length tubes should be as cylindrical as possible for the length of the frame. The main advantage to purchasing the tubes as part of a River King package is that I assemble the complete cataraft with your tubes before shipping to assure a perfect fit for all components. As an authorized dealer for NRS tubes - I charge the same price that the manufacturers do and the full manufacturer's warranty passes to you with the tubes. I can sometimes custom fit a frame for hulls from other manufacturers that may not be adequately cylindrical. Call to discuss the possibilities. You should consider having your customer supplied tubes shipped to me first - and I'll assemble your frames on your tubes to assure a perfect match.

Standard Cross Braces

The package price includes the correct number of cross braces for the frame size and capacities shown. Basically you want one cross brace every four feet of frame length - plus one. That is, an 8 ft frame would have three cross braces. A ten or twelve foot frame, four, etc. You can order accessory cross braces in place of the standard ones for special purposes.

Accessory Cross Braces

The bow leaning brace and the stern outboard motor mount are special types of cross braces. They provide the same structural strength across the frame between the hulls and upper decks as the standard cross braces - while providing other features. The prices for the accessory cross braces is the additional cost for that cross brace. The standard one will not be shipped when you order an accessory cross brace. Additional standard cross braces can be ordered.

Note your Package Number above.

Now select from our accessories to finish out
 your complete cataraft package.

 Accessories Page