1. Decide on Your Intended Use

Do you want to build out a fishing rig? Are you looking to paddle your family on day trips? Do you want a raft and all of the gear to support you on multi-day whitewater trips? Some combination of everything?

How many days a year will you use your raft? How much time are you willing to put towards cleaning, maintaining, and repairing your new raft? Where can you store your raft during the summer? During the winter?

These are all important questions to ask yourself before making a raft purchase. They will help dictate which shape raft you need, the length and width, and material.

Our Most Versatile Rafts

View all
NRS Otter 130 Self Bailing RaftNRS Otter 130 Self Bailing Raft
NRS NRS Otter 130 Self Bailing Raft
Sale price$4,700
Star Outlaw 130 RaftStar Outlaw 130 Raft
NRS NRS STAR Outlaw 130 Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$2,695
Choose options
Hyside MAX 12.0 Self-Bailing RaftHyside MAX 12.0 Self-Bailing Raft
Hyside Hyside MAX 12.0 Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$3,685.50
Choose options
NRS Otter 120D Self-Bailing RaftNRS Otter 120D Self-Bailing Raft
NRS NRS Otter 120D Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$4,300
Choose options
NRS STAR Outlaw 120 Self-Bailing RaftNRS STAR Outlaw 120 Self-Bailing Raft
NRS NRS STAR Outlaw 120 Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$2,495

2. Pick a Boat Shape

Each type of raft has its respective pros and cons. When people hear the word "raft," they typically think of Round Boats. Round boats are the most versatile shape, as they can run paddle crews, row frames, and haul lots of gear and/or passengers. They tend to be stable and can punch through large holes and hydraulics. However, they can get sluggish when weighed down and can loose some tracking ability. CKS carries round boats ranging in length from 9' to 16'.

Paddlecats are a popular option amongst those who want wild rides through whitewater. Paddlecats are designed to be run by 2-4 person paddle crews and typically do not have space for much else beyond a day bag or two. What you gain in whitewater performance, you lose in versatility. However, it is not unheardof to rig a small frame to paddlecats for one person to sportily row day trips or shorter multi-day trips.

Check Out Our Paddlecats

View all
NRS STAR Slice XL Paddle CataraftNRS STAR Slice XL Paddle Cataraft
NRS NRS STAR Slice XL Paddle Cataraft
Sale price$2,195
Choose options
NRS STAR Slice Paddle CataraftNRS STAR Slice Paddle Cataraft
NRS NRS STAR Slice Paddle Cataraft
Sale price$1,895
Choose options
Hyside Battlecat 12.0 CataraftHyside Battlecat 12.0 Cataraft
Hyside Hyside Battlecat 12.0 Cataraft
Sale price$3,275
Choose options
Save 10%
AIRE Sabertooth 12 CataraftAIRE Sabertooth 12 Cataraft
AIRE AIRE Sabertooth 12 Cataraft
Sale price$3,869.10 Regular price$4,299

3. Determine the Best Raft Size

The best length and width raft for your intended usage is highly subjective, but here are some guidelines to follow when determining which size you will need.

  • 9'-11' rafts are small and nimble and are ideal for play rafting with up to 3 paddlers, 1-2 anglers, or day trips or short multi-day trips for 1 rower. They are light, small to store, and can fit in most sedans or hatchbacks. They are not recommended for longer overnight trips that will require lots of gear.
  • 12-13' rafts are generally considered the most versatile rafts as they can easily accomodate 2-6 paddlers, 2-3 anglers, or a rower and a passenger's gear for day trips and short to mid-length overnight trips. They do not feel too large to R2 and do not feel too small for a 7-day trip's worth of gear, if properly packed. They do not, however, have the width to accomodate large dry boxes or coolers that are sometimes needed for longer multi-day trips.
  • 14-16' rafts are usually intended to haul lots of overnight gear or carry 6-8 person paddle crews. They are bulky to store and usually necessitate a trailer to transport. They are not ideal for technical whitewater that requires quick, must-make moves.

Our Small-but-Mighty Rafts

View all
Hyside Mini-Max Self-Bailing RaftHyside Mini-Max Self-Bailing Raft
Hyside Hyside Mini-Max Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$2,925
NRS STAR High Five Self-Bailing RaftNRS STAR High Five Self-Bailing Raft
NRS NRS STAR High Five Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$1,995
Choose options
Save 10%
AIRE Puma Self-Bailing RaftAIRE Puma Self-Bailing Raft
AIRE AIRE Puma Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$3,194.10 Regular price$3,549
NRS Slipstream 96 Fishing Raft PackageNRS Slipstream 96 Fishing Raft Package
NRS NRS Slipstream 96 Fishing Raft Package
Sale price$3,495
Save 10%
AIRE Cub Self-Bailing RaftAIRE Cub Self-Bailing Raft
AIRE AIRE Cub Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$3,464.10 Regular price$3,849
Choose options
Hyside Mini-Me Self-Bailing RaftHyside Mini-Me Self-Bailing Raft
Hyside Hyside Mini-Me Self-Bailing Raft
Sale price$2,750
Choose options

4. Choose a Raft Material

In general, inflatable rafts are constructed with high denier nylon or similar fabric that is coated with plastic or rubber. The plastic coating in high-quality rafts is PVC and the synthetic rubber coating is branded under the names Hypalon and Pennel Orca. A raft's coating material is the biggest determining factor of the price. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of coatings:

PVC (AIRE, Tributary, Outcast, STAR, Slipstream)

  • More affordable than synthetic rubber, but heavier
  • Can be welded, making for extra durable seams
  • Can be inflated to high pressure (i.e. dropstitch floors)
  • Short repair time
  • Susceptible to UV damage

Synthetic Rubber (Hyside, NRS)

  • Incredibly durable, lightweight and long lasting
  • Long repair time
  • Up to twice as expensive as PVC
  • Cannot be welded

Fishing Raft Packages

View all
NRS Slipstream 96 Fishing Raft PackageNRS Slipstream 96 Fishing Raft Package
NRS NRS Slipstream 96 Fishing Raft Package
Sale price$3,495
NRS Slipstream 139 Fishing Raft PackageNRS Slipstream 139 Fishing Raft Package
NRS NRS Slipstream 139 Fishing Raft Package
Sale price$5,995
NRS Slipstream 120 Fishing Raft PackageNRS Slipstream 120 Fishing Raft Package
NRS NRS Slipstream 120 Fishing Raft Package
Sale price$5,495
Outcast OSG Striker Fishing Raft + Frame PackageOutcast OSG Striker Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Outcast Outcast OSG Striker Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Sale price$3,699
Outcast PAC 136DD Fishing Raft + Frame PackageOutcast PAC 136DD Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Outcast Outcast PAC 136DD Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Sale price$7,799
Outcast PAC 1400 Fishing Raft + Frame PackageOutcast PAC 1400 Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Outcast Outcast PAC 1400 Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Sale price$7,799
Outcast Drifter 13 Fishing Raft + Frame PackageOutcast Drifter 13 Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Outcast Outcast Drifter 13 Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Sale price$5,499
Outcast PAC 1300 Fishing Raft + Frame PackageOutcast PAC 1300 Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Outcast Outcast PAC 1300 Fishing Raft + Frame Package
Sale price$7,099
Choose options

What's Next?

Still have questions about which raft is right for you? Our Gear Experts are ready to help!

If you've got your raft picked out and you're ready to start thinking about frames and outfitting, click below to learn more about building out your new raft setup.

View the Guide