Product and Photo Gallery

Custom self bailing white water raft designed by the customer

Dave B emailed us last winter about having us build a raft design that he had never seen before. He was very specific. He knew what he wanted, and this is what he asked for: A 15.5 ft long boat with a 78 inch wide beam. This boat would have an 8 inch kick in the front and come to a narrow front section of approximately 18 inches. In the back he wanted a 6 inch kick, a double layer of material for mounting a transom, and it had to be much wider in the rear for the motor, approximately 34 inches. We usually put 4 chambers in a boat. Dave wanted 6. On a boat this size we usually suggest 22 inch tubes; he wanted a smaller tube for less wind resistance, and a large drop stitch floor. On top of all that, we built mesh panels that fit existing frames he used to carry animals killed on hunting trips. He also asked us about how we may build a wind screen on the front for foul weather. The purple pocket in the model holds the flexible pole that makes up the back of the screen. He asked us to remove all 2 inch d rings and replace them with many more 1 inch d rings. We soon realized he was building his concept of the ultimate hunting raft. This computer model is what we came up with. Dave really knew what he wanted, and there are a few folks that do. If you are one of them, we can build a custom raft for you also. Have a look at the finished product on a trip in Alaska.

The side view
The front end view
The motor transom

And there was lots of wildlife on the trip
Big Grizzly
Musk Ox

When I ask Dave how the boat worked, this is what he said:
Jack, back from the big adventure. We floated/motored 240 air miles on a river in Northern Alaska. We saw thousands of Caribou, lots of Grizzlies, wolverine, wolfs and falcons. Never saw any sign of any other people the whole trip. Attached are a few pictures. Raft functioned absolutely perfectly. The only thing I would change would be to put a handle in the lower bow to help pull it on shore.

Phone (505) 334 8748 - Fax (505) 334 1901 - info@jpwinc.com