Trigger pulled...

**gretch6364** · 12-06-2013, 06:04 PM

Just bought a raft. Think I got a pretty good deal. Stoked for sure. Ended up not sharing the raft. The wife kind of wanted our own anyhow, so no matter what we can use it whenever we want. I am sure my buddy will be in one of the seats most of the time anyhow.

13' Hyside and DRE Fishing Frame and a trailer for $3500. No patches and no leaks. Figured the shorter raft would be better for fishing in CO, and since we are not sharing the raft, less pressure to take 4 people all the time. He is throwing in 3 Carlisle oars, the drop bags, etc. Boat is 10 years old and was owned by a guy working for DRE the first 5 or 6 years. Now I just need to learn how to row...

Was gonna read Drift Boat Strategies: Rowing and Fishing Skills for the Western Angler.

http://www.amazon.com/Drift-Boat-Str...rds=drift+boat

Any other suggestions? Underoo, maybe we could get out on my boat and you could give me a crash course in some low water conditions.

Here is the frame and trailer, which needs a new deck:

Going Sunday to pick her up!

**SWskier** · 12-06-2013, 06:10 PM

Congrats, enjoy!

**gretch6364** · 12-06-2013, 06:14 PM

Thank you sir. In the end, a Hypalon boat sounded more favorable to my situation and easily being able to roll it and store inside this trailer. Hoping it easily locks with a pad lock and I feel secure leaving it parked at a storage rental. I don't have a garage space for it, and it is going to take fence mods to get a spot in the friends yard. Public storage is like $34 a month for a spot. We will see. Wouldn't mind being able to leave it all set up, but having it all ready and under the trailer is a step closer! I bet I can get it insured with my other offsite stuff on my home owners policy. That is pretty cheap.

**snapt** · 12-06-2013, 08:39 PM

Congrats man, dial in your crab stroke and it will make life a lot more enjoyable when fishing folks.

**Foggy_Goggles** · 12-07-2013, 08:17 AM

Nice dude! That a pretty standard rig, much like mine. I think in CO, a 13-14' raft gets in the water most and that is all that matters. Don't worry about "learning to row". It ain't a big deal for most fisherman 'cause they can read water. Now you are to apply for at minimum Yampa and Lodore permits. Pencil in Gunny Gorge for Salmon Flys. Keep your eye out for some paddles and figure out your whitewater paddle crew. It's almost a tradition for new owners of rafts to go trash in Browns Canyon. And most important, don't other think it and be all about the gear. Get a good PDF and get after it!

**ACheateaux** · 12-08-2013, 06:45 AM

Congrats. As someone looking to make the same horrible purchase, I've been following your other thread closely. If you ever need someone to pitch bugs off your boat, I come with great taste in beer and beer. Have fun with it.

**skifishbum** · 12-08-2013, 08:29 AM

congrats
i'd really reccomend learning to row
i can sit on shore and read water
don't do much good if the boats not being operated in a manner condusive to good presnitations

thats like sayin don't worry about learning to drive
the passenger can read the signs.
if youre gonna float yampa or ladore
rowing skills will definately come in handy

**neckdeep** · 12-08-2013, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Now I just need to learn how to row...

Was gonna read Drift Boat Strategies: Rowing and Fishing Skills for the Western Angler.

[!

This is a good book, worth purchasing. I also strongly recommend the American Canoe Association's book "River Safety Anthology". It covers kayak and rafts, too. This book is a compendium of fatal and near fatal river boating accidents, usually including first hand witness reports, making for a harrowing read. Each incident is given a post-mortem analysis and a critique on where things went sour. Gives a new paddler a more rounded sense of the dangers and helps with risk management.

**Tye 1on** · 12-08-2013, 11:22 AM

Congrats! Best way to store the raft is partially inflated, worst is a tight roll. imho even just flopping the raft into the trailer, or folded in half, would be better than rolling...

**Sagamoron** · 12-09-2013, 09:34 AM

Congrats, can't offer any rowing advice, but have a blast.

Merry Christmas to you!

**gretch6364** · 12-09-2013, 10:28 AM

Thanks...wife says it is all I am getting for Christmas, which is certainly cool with me. Got the raft and trailer back to town last night. Tried to wash off the road dirt, but will have to hit again once we get above freezing.

I need to replace the top deck of the trailer this spring. It is just 4 seperate squares of plywood on hinges, that each open to access the underneith of the trailer and then have pad locks on the sides. What should I use that will last? I am plannning on the storing the boat on top inflated. The plywood he had on it before rotted. Should I do marine grade and paint it? Any suggestions on paint/sealer that will be nice and slick and not rub on the bottom of the boat?

He had her blown up and ready when I got there. Pretty standard. Laced I-beam floor, no patches, but will need to re-glue 2 d-rings that he gave me, and the decorative rub rail has a couple cracks and is brittle. Military style valves, and the pressure release valve on the floor needs a new cover. Everything else it look good to me.

**gretch6364** · 12-09-2013, 10:30 AM

and the raft is actuall 13'9". I think it is a 2005.

**gretch6364** · 12-09-2013, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

Now you are to apply for at minimum Yampa and Lodore permits.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what all rivers in Colorado would I need a permit to float, when I would want to float them for good fishing? I don't have much desire to white water raft at high water. Is this when most permits would be require? Just curious since it looks like most of the applications are done in January. I need to start getting a list of floats together and the timing of hatches so I can put it on my calendar.

**Tye 1on** · 12-09-2013, 04:10 PM

We had a dozen of those at the raft company i managed back in the early 90's. Very tough boats. Floor is sure a pain to relace, iirc we used tubular webbing the second time. The rubrail is inconsequential, don't sweat it cracking. Kickass paddle boat for 4-6 paddlers plus guide...

**Foggy_Goggles** · 12-09-2013, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what all rivers in Colorado would I need a permit to float, when I would want to float them for good fishing? I don't have much desire to white water raft at high water. Is this when most permits would be require? Just curious since it looks like most of the applications are done in January. I need to start getting a list of floats together and the timing of hatches so I can put it on my calendar.

If the question is "what permitted rivers is Colorado offer excellent trout fishing?" I'm pretty sure the answer is none. I mentioned Yampa and Lodore because you talked about overnighters and such. Those two trips are basically beginner whitewater. The way it works is to basically get the permit and figure it out later. It is much easier to find experience trip mates than it is to obtain the permit.

**ajax0988** · 12-09-2013, 05:08 PM

PM me I live in summit and still floating the upper c which is going to be your ideal place to boat/overnight and good fishing. Roaring fork seems to float all year.

Boating is all about reading water and boating while fishing is just being able to put your fishing partner in the right casting distance, seams and what not.

**MakersTeleMark** · 12-09-2013, 06:09 PM

Congrats! I float its big brother on a extremely regular basis. It's a bombproof boat.

Start easy on the lower upper C learning to read, and work your way up from there.

State Bridge to 2 bridges or catamount, cottonwood to dotsero, then rancho to state bridge, then pump to radium. A season learning should have you in good shape for some bigger stuff should you so desire.

I'll keep an eye out for you come spring. I float at least once or twice a week.

**gretch6364** · 12-09-2013, 09:13 PM

Thanks Ajax. I am heading out of town the rest of this week, but will he down to float any open water over then next couple months. Would love to do a trip on the fork or the Colorado in Glenwood with some snow flakes falling.

Anyone want to plan a float around the holidays?

**ajax0988** · 12-10-2013, 09:26 PM

Sounds good!

**Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo** · 12-11-2013, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by gretch6364

Thanks Ajax. I am heading out of town the rest of this week, but will he down to float any open water over then next couple months. Would love to do a trip on the fork or the Colorado in Glenwood with some snow flakes falling.

Anyone want to plan a float around the holidays?

Nice, I'd say I'd be down if you are headed up Aspen way but we just had baby #2 so this holiday season is spoken for and the snow is too good to to use a hall pass fishing right now. But keep me in mind if you do head this way spring/summer. I can't row(yet) but I know the Fork (and a bit of the CO) pretty well and would love a chance to learn to row since I'll probably be getting a raft in the next year or so. Plus I never go anywhere without a stocked cooler.

**NMmatt** · 12-12-2013, 12:17 PM

Congrats!! You will have a blast. Getting the right drift for your fishing friends is much more of an art than simply navigating down the river, as others have said. That's why some guides outperform everyone else on the river! Get that buddy of yours on the sticks quick so you can get some fishing in too.

**HikeforTurns** · 01-13-2014, 05:43 PM

Nice boat. I am also looking to buy a raft this spring. Does anyone have opinions on this setup:

http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/201...outfitter-xxx/

I dont think it would be ideal for float trips, esp with more than 3 people, but looks great for fishing day trips. I am a total raft jong though, other then a bunch of paddle trips down Browns as a kid. He is offering it for $2,900 at this weekends Sportsmans Expo.

**gretch6364** · 01-13-2014, 06:40 PM

I was also a raft Jong, but I did do a shit ton of reading before I bought. I personally would stay away from the Scadden stuff, and would stay away from steel frames. For $2,900, I think you could do way better. Just my opinion from what I read though...not based on actual rafting experience.