Hi All,
I recently discovered packrafting through a friend i met on holiday and now I’m back home in Scotland I’m seeing potential for journeys and river running all around me!
I have decided to get my own raft but I’m stuck on the choice of if I should get one with a deck or not. Some advice would be greatly appreciated.
It is unlikely that I will use the raft on anything more serious than rivers with the odd short section of grade 3 white water. most of the use will be in lochs & sea lochs and on unclassified or grade 1 & 2 rivers. This will be more often as part of a journey than just going out for a paddle (though no doubt i will go purely rafting a lot when I first get the boat)
I have done a small amount of open canoeing & some kayak surfing and I’m a very competent sea kayaker so i’m hoping the boat control will come quickly - though I have minimal experience on rivers!
Things that put me off a deck are: Is it still a raft?, the extra weight, the extra cost, it will be harder to empty water, you probably still can’t roll the boat,
Things I like about getting a decked boat: It will make the boat more versatile, gives a little more storage options, weather protection, will be important if I want to run longer sections of whitewater abroad.
Anyhow if you guys are happy to share your experience i’m sure it will make the decision easier!!!
Thanks, Adrian