The AIRE Tributary 16 HD Self-Bailing Raft is a playful and maneuverable expedition rig. A seven-piece diminishing tube design in the bow and stern makes this boat feel light on its feet when pivoting during technical mid-rapid moves and gives the boat a more exciting run through big wave trains. When rigged up with a large 4-bay frame, you can rest assured that the Tributary 16 HD can haul it all, from 150-quart coolers to large dry boxes, thanks to its spacious interior bay and 22-inch diameter tubes that bear hundreds of pounds of added weight with ease!

Why Tributary?

Tributary boats are of similar quality to AIRE and are designed by AIRE, they just aren't USA-built and do not have the same 10-year warranty as AIRE boats. They are built with near-identical materials and seam welding techniques. AIRE and AIRE Tributary boats are designed based on a component system with urethane chambers ("AIREcells") that are separate from the rest of the boat, rather than chambers that are formed by the welded seams of the outer material of the raft. While this makes the boat a bit heavier, there are superior advantages to this system:

1. Field repairs are much easier and more effective since you can access the air chamber by unzipping the PVC outer skin.
2. You can patch holes in the outer skin from the inside, making a more effective watertight seal and a less noticeable patch.
3. Leaks are extremely uncommon since wear and tear on the outside of the boat doesn't directly affect its ability to hold air.
4. In the event that you really cause some damage to the inner air chamber, you can pull it out and replace it; you're not stuck with a patch that is responsible for holding air for the rest of the boat's life.

Well taken care of, these boats last longer than any other PVC boat out there! They are a great investment for a private boater looking for a quality setup at non-Hypalon prices.