Irrelevant
Well-known member
It is, but is it a better deal than a new Star Outlaw, which has bigger tubes, bigger kick, and a 5 yr warranty, for the same price?
WTB Whitewater raft
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Elktrack
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You won’t go wrong with either one. Tube size and kick don’t make a lick of difference between the two IMO.
The Star thwart system is way easier. I honestly would have a hard time choosing but probably lean towards the Star based off what uses you are describing.
The Star thwart system is way easier. I honestly would have a hard time choosing but probably lean towards the Star based off what uses you are describing.
I vote Aire - I know the AIRE owners. Great guys.I've thought about this one a couple dozen times.
2018 14’ AIRE Tributary Raft - sporting goods - by owner - sale - craigslist
Raft only. Comes with 2 thwarts. Only used a handful of times (maybe 6 days). In great shape.seattle.craigslist.org
Face value it’s a good deal. If you go to check it out, I’d suggest taking someone with you that knows how to evaluate the condition of used rubber. My friends and I still regularly use a ‘91 Aire Puma, but it is stored indoors and 303ed every year. I have a hard time believing it’s only been used 6 times in 7 years, but even if that’s true, how it’s been stored is way more important (sun damage).I've thought about this one a couple dozen times.
2018 14’ AIRE Tributary Raft - sporting goods - by owner - sale - craigslist
Raft only. Comes with 2 thwarts. Only used a handful of times (maybe 6 days). In great shape.
If you ever get a chance at a DIB, grab it. I’ve had this one for 20ish yrs and I’m at least its 3rd owner. Paid $2400 for it and could probably sell it for more than that. I’m sure the custom frame paint job and rod holders really bump up the value. 
longbow51
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I honestly don't know about the Star; never been in one, maybe someone here knows how they hold up.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
that's a good call @trb I just haven't been able to talk someone else into a 1/2 day enveador to look at a boat, there's only 3 for sale locally, two at 9k and one at 600.
There are also these two. The NRS is a little small.
I've chatted with the lady selling the Sotar, I think I could get her down to $2,500, but again, is that actually better than any of the other ones? IDK
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There are also these two. The NRS is a little small.
I've chatted with the lady selling the Sotar, I think I could get her down to $2,500, but again, is that actually better than any of the other ones? IDK
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IDK, I've spent a fair bit of time paddling a 14' with 18" tubes and it handles like a wet sponge compared to a 21" boat with rides way higher, like a crisp leaf. Now, the make/model also clearly factors in.
Elktrack
Well-known member
So me and my buddies run Aire boats and cats with two Star outlaws in the mix as well. The Stars do everything just as well as the others. I’m talking big water to easy multi day floats. The new Star boats have adopted a ton of features that weren’t available before.
My vote is a new Star. It’ll easily do everything you want.
My vote is a new Star. It’ll easily do everything you want.
longbow51
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That SOTAR looks great if you can get it for $2500, and bring it back to new (if it even needs anything) for <$400. They really stand by their stuff.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
Well, you guys are right, even if I hate to admit it. Going to scrap damn near the entire thing. Sort of...
I'm actually going to do the internal flexseal thing @npaden suggested in that video. And add a patch to the outside and see if I can't get it to hold air. Then see if I can get my costs back out of it, or at least something out of it.
FOMO and incompetence got the best of me...
I'm actually going to do the internal flexseal thing @npaden suggested in that video. And add a patch to the outside and see if I can't get it to hold air. Then see if I can get my costs back out of it, or at least something out of it.
FOMO and incompetence got the best of me...
Lasiocarpa
Well-known member
I’m guilty of being a cheapskate too and have learned this lesson the hard way. There is nothing more expensive than a “good deal” on a piece of junk.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
Ok. I am still throwing good money at a bad deal. I'm justifying it as more learning experience.
I have now "slimed" my boat 3 times. The results are that it "sorta" holds air, at least for a few hours to 1/2 a day. Which is a substantial improvement. The slime was free from a buddy who had some left over from a repair on his Maravia. I also bought a $100 or so on some hypalon eurathane coating (here's the throwing money away) https://rivergear.com/product/system-6-urethane-coating-for-hypalon-boats-material/
The idea is to apply it on the outside, then apply a suction to the chamber and try to "draw in" the product. The internet says it should work...
I've gone from here (over 1 sq ft):
to this (about 2 sq in):
I have now "slimed" my boat 3 times. The results are that it "sorta" holds air, at least for a few hours to 1/2 a day. Which is a substantial improvement. The slime was free from a buddy who had some left over from a repair on his Maravia. I also bought a $100 or so on some hypalon eurathane coating (here's the throwing money away) https://rivergear.com/product/system-6-urethane-coating-for-hypalon-boats-material/
The idea is to apply it on the outside, then apply a suction to the chamber and try to "draw in" the product. The internet says it should work...
I've gone from here (over 1 sq ft):
to this (about 2 sq in):
Irrelevant
Well-known member
I have neglected this tread. The inner "sliming" helped but didn't really fix the issue. So I got some of this and rolled on a Urethane coating
System 6 Urethane Coating for HYPALON Rafts & Inflatable Boats
System 6 Urethane Coating for HYPALON Rafts & Inflatable Boats is a 2-part urethane for Hypalon/Neoprene boats. Primer and accelerator included.
rivergear.com
I ended up using the rest of the can to coat the top as preventative. I highly recommend this stuff.
But then I stumbled into a deal that I just couldn't turn down. So I now have a 14' Sotar Elite!
The frame is from the smaller grey boat, it's a bit too small, so I'll need to pick something else up. But holy cow this is WAY WAY nicer. Once I get a frame I like, I may add an abrasion coating with that System 6 stuff.
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longbow51
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You're going to love your SOTAR! Congrats. You might ask the SOTAR folks if that coating will stick to the plastic though; we had long patches installed on ours at the build where the frame sat, but you could do it later too.I have neglected this tread. The inner "sliming" helped but didn't really fix the issue. So I got some of this and rolled on a Urethane coating
This shit is the shit. It created not just an air tight coating, but it's damn near bullet proof. The bubbles are from post-cure air testing. No air bubbles.System 6 Urethane Coating for HYPALON Rafts & Inflatable Boats
System 6 Urethane Coating for HYPALON Rafts & Inflatable Boats is a 2-part urethane for Hypalon/Neoprene boats. Primer and accelerator included.
View attachment 407116
I ended up using the rest of the can to coat the top as preventative. I highly recommend this stuff.
View attachment 407117
But then I stumbled into a deal that I just couldn't turn down. So I now have a 14' Sotar Elite!
View attachment 407118
The frame is from the smaller grey boat, it's a bit too small, so I'll need to pick something else up. But holy cow this is WAY WAY nicer. Once I get a frame I like, I may add an abrasion coating with that System 6 stuff.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
They make a different version for that material, but generally people report good success. Or you can get a long strip of actual fabric and add it as well. Or I could totally not do either, because with my kids sports and band schedule there's really almost no time to float anything ever!
