Backpackable Inflatable boats (rafts)

prairie tuber · 13 July 2009, 14:34

While this is a fully inflatable boat forum, discussions are almost always about SIBs that are designed to be used with outboard motors. Going a little bit outside of the box a bit, there is no reason that this section on about SIBs (Soft Inflatable Boats) cannot include inflatable boats that are designed for paddle or oar propulsion.

Imagine that you launch your motorized inflatable boat on a good sized lake or river and go for several kilometers to a landing spot of your destination. At this landing spot, there is a trail head for an overand portage trail of about 1 kilometer that leads to a smaller lake that is loaded with trout. You want to fish that lake but pulling your SIB for a full kilometer (or more) by it's launching wheels over a boulder strewn portage trail is more daunting of a task than you are prepared for. But, you really want to fish that lake! - what do you do?

Enter the Alpacka rafts. These are a series of superlightweight (3.25 - 6 lbs) backpackable polyurethane inflatable rafts. Apparently they are remarkably tough and hold up quite well even to usage in whitewater. Here is a link;

https://www.alpackaraft.com/store/in...D=67&do=detail

m chappelow · 13 July 2009, 14:42

i agree with you p/t,,,i have just been looking at some inflatable canoes /rafts at a new outdoor shop thats just opened by me ,,and some stuff looks great,good quality that would stand rough usage unlike a few years ago .i reckon the ones on your link would make a liferaft or emergency boat in sheltered conditions ,

codprawn · 13 July 2009, 15:00

Great - a tender for a SIB - could also double up as a bath when you are camping..............

spartacus · 13 July 2009, 17:44

Excellent link. Certainly opens up the possibilities for those that love the great outdoors. Seems quite pricey though (says someone who ploughs good money after bad into anything with marine-grade stainless steel).

With a paddle, spraydeck, etc - you're looking at $1200. I suppose it's a specialist thing though.

thornbackflound · 13 July 2009, 18:19

Saw these type of rafts a few weeks back on a telly programme, only caught the ending ,but these people were on snow ,climbing sheer drop off cliffes and used these inflatables to get to the bottom of the cliff ,then climb up

PeterM · 13 July 2009, 18:49

I absolutely love these ! So light & pack up so small! I want one or two , but they are a tad expensive for me at the mo.

You could carry a couple as one man rafts/ tenders in the main boat !

Love it ! ( just make then cheaper )

Pete

fred bolton · 13 July 2009, 23:59

I wonder what material they are made out of? amazingly light 2kgs !! I have a double inflatable canoe which weighs about 20kgs and is brilliant fits into a medium size rucksack or suitcase been all over the place corfu ibiza majorca you can get to places you would not really find and it's more comfortable to lie on than a beach

but 2kgs I want one does anyone sell them in the UK

fred bolton · 14 July 2009, 00:07

arrrr Polyurethane

prairie tuber · 14 July 2009, 05:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Great - a tender for a SIB - could also double up as a bath when you are camping..............

Yup. Actually alot of these guys use them for double duty as sleeping mattresses when camping.

They do seem to be pretty durable

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Cookee · 14 July 2009, 08:22

Our local shop sells inflatable canoes - and they are quite cheap.