Rafts - Types
Rafting is a thrilling and exciting recreational activity using a Raft to navigate on whitewater rivers or other bodies of water. This activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid 1970's.
In Whitewater Rafting, rafters may choose to do the paddling themselves to experience a more exciting and participatory way to run the river. They may also choose to ride the oar boat, which most of the time has a guide who does most of the work using oars. This is the way to go if you want to relax and enjoy the scenery, take photos, or appreciate a more secure ride.
This fun activity uses Rafts which come in various types, providing different levels of fun and excitement. Selection of the Raft must be made to match rapid levels with suitable craft for maneuverability and safety. Here are the different kinds of Rafts:
Paddle Boats involve rafter participation in getting through the rapids in response to commands from your guide. These can be used in shallow or even big rivers. These Rafts are from 12' to 14' in length and can be maneuvered by the paddling teamwork of up to seven guests (led by a guide if beginners). The guide steers and navigates from the back of the Raft, while giving paddlers instructions on when and how to paddle. The downside of this type of Raft is that it capsizes more easily than Oar Boats so the guide or skipper must be efficient enough in steering the boat and giving instructions.
Oar Boats carry all the food and duffle and are usually larger, heavier, and considered more stable than a paddle Raft. These also carry rafters when dealing with higher water levels and if extra power is necessary. An Oar Boat can be 16' to 18' feet in length and it has a metal frame with a bench seat in front and oars attached at the middle.
Oar-assisted Paddle Rafts offer great maneuverability for high water Rafting Trips. The boat can be compared to a bicycle with training wheels, and are great for kids and adults who do not want to paddle as much as one does in pure Paddle Boats. An Oar-assisted Paddle Raft is a combination of both an Oar Raft and a Paddle Raft. Up to six persons provide power by paddling as a team. However, this type has a small frame in the back, which allows the guide to use a small set of oars. The guide steers and navigates from the back while instructing the paddlers, but with the oars, he or she has more control and maneuverability.
Catarafts were used since 1980s. A Cataraft consists of two pontoons parallel to each other and are connected together with a metal frame. It is usually used in conquering rapids but can also be relied upon when transporting load.
Rigs are the biggest crafts used in Rafting. A Rig is formed by putting pontoons together with transom frames. Its size allows it to carry a lot of passengers. You do not have to worry about capsizing when riding this craft.
Inflatable Kayaks are small inflatable crafts manned by one person with a double-ended paddle. Inflatable Kayaks follow the larger Rafts through the rapids with the guide in the Paddle Raft or Oar Raft, giving instructions to the kayakers. Inflatable Kayaks (a.k.a. "I.K.s" or "Duckies") are a great way to experience the river in a one-on-one fashion.
These are the basic types of Rafts. Rapid classification, stability, and skill level of the guide and/or rafters are some of the things to take into account when choosing the right craft. Read our Raft Buying Guide for more information. So if you want to experience what Rafting has to offer, make sure to use the appropriate kind of Raft.
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