Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

what kind of rafts do y'all use (brand/model)?
i'm thinking about looking for one to use on arkansas creeks.
thanks,
nathan

ARG's weapons of choice for Arkansas creeks are the Aire Super Puma and Maravia Spider.

The list price for the Spider is a little more (c. $500) than the Super Puma. The Spider's exterior tubes are covered with urethane, which might be slightly tougher than Aire's PVC coating. The urethane may be a little stickier than the PVC when the rafts come into contact with rocks, but I don't think the difference is enough to factor into the purchasing decision.

The Spider (13') and Super Puma (13'1") are roughly the same length. The Spider's tubes are slightly larger and it weighs a few pounds more (112 to 100).

ARG has been rowing Super Pumas for quite some time, and I think it's safe to say we give the SP a big ARG seal of approval. The Spider is a relatively new addition to the fleet, but it has scored very well on test runs this Spring on the Cossatot, Hailstone, upper and lower Richland, etc.

Super Puma at Maytag (at relatively low water - 3.3 ft. on the campground stick gauge)



The Spider is a bi**h to roll up vis-a-vis the Super Puma, but so far that's the only real disadvantage we've been able to find.

The ARG team is the expert on rubber. I will give you an opinion from a kayaker learning to row rafts.

A Super Puma with a couple of good single bladers up front
is in my opinion the closest thing to the fun factor of a kayak
and
about as manoeuvrable as a kayak
that a person can find.

This setup can go places one would never expect to see a raft
and
there is plenty of room for a small cooler of your favorite beverage
as well. The comfort factor is very high as well.

I know I had my eyes opened wide on Browns Canyon, Numbers, Fractions and Royal Gorge for the last few years with the Ozark Society following several members of ARG down these runs.

Super Puma would get my vote, just wish I had one in the boat shed!

Thanks for the info!
Hope to have something by next spring.

David Thrasher was kind enough to provide a side-by-side comparison photo of the Super Puma (that's me in it on the left) and the Spider (Cap'n Downstream on the right), in the recovery pool below Knucklebuster on Richland Creek.