My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

[steelespike]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

What a great looking craft.I wouldn't be too dissapointed in the speed.I would guess the 18 is good for about 28 mph under ideal stock conditions I don't think the inflatable is too efficient and your surely hauling a load.Maybe you could check the rpm and diddle with the prop a little.I know nothing about a white water boat but it seems with battery,gas and 2 people placed that far back it would be a little tail heavy.But maybe you need that for rough conditions.If the stern ends were squared off I think it would be faster.
Obviously that would be another boat.
Have a ball and be careful.Don't forget more pictures.

 

[steelespike]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

By the way you have a nice Toyota Had a couple just like it with a flatter cap.2.7 4 cyl. auto.Adaquate for towing up to about 3,000,though I only tow a few times a year.Drove Toyota trucks since 85 Down sized in 04 to Subaru Forester.now have 07 Impreza Wagon.Lease every 39 months.Works for me.
Those Toyotas just run and run, "bullet proof "as many have said.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Thanks SS. This is my third one and I guess I'll have this one forever cause I don't like the new style. Whatever possesed Toyota to do away with their compact truck I'll never know.

Wife's wanted a Forester or Outback for years. Maybey that's next.

 

[QC]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Hey DR, speed seems good to me. Like you said, way heavy. I bet you're faster than 25 unloaded.

I assume you have a permit, or are you "special" . . . ?

I mentioned "Into The Wild" in my first post in this thread. You need to see it, I highly recommend it anyway, but there is a few scenes with the same itinerary (be aware some nudity :redface: , that's actually a small motivator ), and somewhat of a funny scene regarding a permit . . . or lack thereof.

And who the heck says you need a RIB to run from Hoover to Lake Mohave? Where have I seen a glass boat up there before? Hmmmmmmm, oh yeah, my avatar

 

[steelespike]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Thanks SS. This is my third one and I guess I'll have this one forever cause I don't like the new style. Whatever possesed Toyota to do away with their compact truck I'll never know.

Wife's wanted a Forester or Outback for years. Maybey that's next.

Well I guess they had to make it grow up.Maybe they improved the ride and handling.We lease; My Forester was about 1,000 down and 299 a month.39 months,Impreza is 888 down and 244 month.Wifes outback wagon is 1100 down including registration and inspection 325 a month 39 months 10,000 mi.
a year. of course you can negotiate the mileage.
We have had new cars every three years for about 14 years lease works out well for us.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

QC, I've been wanting to see that movie for a while, but it was only playing at one theatre in the whole city. 3,000,000 people and it's only playing in one place. Oh well, Netflix! I do need a permit and I've been on the list for 7 years. I finally got mine this JUNE!!! That's why I've been working hard to get this boat put together. We're also renting a 37' pontoon. If you get a chance check out a book called "There's this River". Great stories (short stories) about Grand Canyon river trips including one illegal run without a permit. It's really funny.

SS, thanks for the info on the Subarus. We got the proverbial "Minivan" right now and we both hate it. Subaru makes some good alternative family vehicles. We'll probably be checking them out soon.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Just stumbled on to this one! Now thats a ride!

Your boat is just way to cool.

I want to come along on one of your wild water camping adventures.

MORE PHOTOS!!!

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Hey nice outfit! Talk about a different sport than you classic runabout. Can't wait to see action pics in the rapids.

 

[azlakes]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

I'm heading up to Lee's Ferry this Sunday for 3 days. I'm going to check out some side canyons I haven't been up before.

Pinging DR. I tried you over at boating destinations. Hey man how was the trip and how'd that inflatable you built do?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Hey there AZ. The trip to Lee's went great, spent 2 days there and then decided to head to Powell for day. Was going to hike but driving around was so much fun I did that practically the whole time. This trip was kind of a final test for the boat before the big trip on the 15th. That Sunday we launched from Lee's with this boat, a 37' inflatable S-rig and 2 sport yaks to run the Grand Canyon. It was a 10 day trip and we had an absolute blast. I ended up flipping my boat in Hermit rapid so I was bummed for a while, but there was no damage to speak of so all was well. I didn't run my Tohatsu either for the rest of the trip and instead used the 37 footer's spare 30hp Honda which put a grin back on my face.

I'm already wanting to go back!

 

[azlakes]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

... wow so you just got back then? sounds like a whole new thread with pics is warranted so flipped it eh, any damage? that blows, bad read or to much flow? how do you retrieve such a thing when that happens in long flowing rapids and does all your gear go bye-bye? good to see you survived and conquered the Grand Canyon.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Yes, been back a few days. Everything was secured so nothing was lost. I was wearing the kill switch so the motor was not running when it submerged. However, it was a total mess with oil and water everywhere so I didn't even try to get it going down there. I've since got it running again but the starter is shot so it'll need to be replaced. The boat is not that heavy and we had 16 people on the trip so we just flipped it over on the beach. I got in the habit of closing the fuel vent in rapids so we didn't even leak any gas. Everything survived except the motor and my ego. We had a spare motor and my ego can be repaired so no regrets. It was really an awsome trip.

 

[nthrngrayling]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Great looking unit DR. I have a 14' Zebec AR with a 50 hp jet and it looks very simular. Except I don't have the excellent frame and trim tab set up you have. Thats a great job you did.
Enjoy,ng

 

[jimandsue60]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Great looking rig! Did you like the frame and seating? After seeing yours I might be tempted to buy some parts from NRS and make my own. I would like one seat rear right and possibly 2 seats forward. I do not plan on any white water though. How was the ride on the seats. Do you use the frame set up for just cruising on the lakes? Did you need all 8 tie downs or would 4 or 6 have worked as well? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

 

[John the Barber]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Your strapping looks great. How did you attach them to the floor? Also, is your engine electric start. I love the bilge pump idea, not that I plan on taking water over the stern but, mother nature will do what she does and be forever unpredictable. Additionally, since Hurricane Season is here, there is a great chance of being caught in a deluge while I am under the water. A pump would be a great addition. If you don't have electric start, do you keep the battery on a trickle charger when not in use?

Thanks

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Great looking rig! Did you like the frame and seating? After seeing yours I might be tempted to buy some parts from NRS and make my own. I would like one seat rear right and possibly 2 seats forward. I do not plan on any white water though. How was the ride on the seats. Do you use the frame set up for just cruising on the lakes? Did you need all 8 tie downs or would 4 or 6 have worked as well? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

Hi Jim,

Thanks, the great thing about NRS frames is you can mix and match and come up with just about any configuration you can dream of. The ride is completely smooth even in choppy and rough conditions because the entire weight of the frame, riders, and cooler (dry box) is on the tubes. Nothing touches the floor. The tubes make great shock absorbers. I leave the set up like you see it all season. It works equally good for whitewater and just cruising.

I use 8 attachment points "just cause" but 4 would probably be enough, especially for calm water.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Your strapping looks great. How did you attach them to the floor? Also, is your engine electric start. I love the bilge pump idea, not that I plan on taking water over the stern but, mother nature will do what she does and be forever unpredictable. Additionally, since Hurricane Season is here, there is a great chance of being caught in a deluge while I am under the water. A pump would be a great addition. If you don't have electric start, do you keep the battery on a trickle charger when not in use?

Thanks

Hi John,

All 8 straps are attached to the tubes, 4 inside and 4 outside. This configuration keeps the frame rock solid in all conditions. It never moves, not even a little bit. The engine is electric start and keeps the battery charged.

 

[John the Barber]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

I oopsed and was not clear. What I meant to ask is how are the battery and gas tank strapped down? To a receptor on the floorboards?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Oh sorry, yeah the battery box and fuel tank are straped to footman's loops attached to the floor. The bilge pump is just attached to its own base.

 

[jimandsue60]

Re: My Whitewater Boat is Complete Finally!

Thanks for the info, I am going to do it. I am also going to mount a video camera like yours on the left ore lock. I will be ordering the parts this week.

Thanks
Jim