River raft questions

[mustangwarrior]

I'm currently looking for a river raft for the family, I don't need anything expensive, we don't do any white water, more just casually floating down the creek, I am looking for a raft due to it being a little cheaper than buying two canoes,

I found an Intex Excursion 5, it seems durable and has an 880lb weight capacity, anyone have any experience with it or any other recommendations for a raft under $350, for 4 or more people with at least a 750lb capacity?

 

[DurangoSteve]

I understand that you don't intend to use an inflatable on serious whitewater, but that looks like a pool toy to me. Proceed with caution... and make sure you have quality PFDs for everyone on your raft. Rafting can be dangerous. Rafting with crappy equipment is dangerous.

 

[AZBrad]

Take a look at the Sea Eagle SE9. I have an SE9 (fisherman's dream package for lake fishing) and it is by no means a pool toy. 1250 pound capacity and in basic form comes in right at $350. Rated for up to class 3 whitewater so it should be well suited for creek floating. I did a lot of research before getting one and found this to be well above Intex in quality and an excellent value. 6 month return policy if it doesn't work out for you as well... Hope this helps.

Brad

 

[mustangwarrior]

thanks guys, we used to have a raft that my dad had purchased probly close to 23yrs ago, it did well but was stored in the rafters of our garage and was infested by ants who just tore it all apart,

also i understand the safety involved with PFD's but the waters im gonna encounter are probly going to be a max of 4ft deep, if we do white water we will rent a raft, i'll look more into it, what i want to find is two used canoes around $100 a piece but no luck so far