Introduction

The First Splash; About the Author; A Little Help from My Friends; What Are You Getting Yourself Into?; How to Use This Book

1. The Evolution of Rafting: From Powell to Paddle Cats

The Fremont Expeditions

John Wesley Powell

Nathaniel Galloway

The Post-World War II Era

The Self-Bailing Generation

The Russian Influence

Looking Toward Tomorrow

2. Get Wet: Your First Rafting Adventure

Outfitters

Other Ways to Get Wet

Clubs and Organizations; Raft Rentals

3. Equipment: From Oars to Floors, Helmets to Hi-Floats

Basic Raft Anatomy

Tubes; Panels and Seams; Valves; Thwarts; Floors; Accessories; Footcups

Materials

Base Fabrics; Coatings

Design Characteristics

Length and Width; Tube Size; Symmetry; Rise; Waterline; Floors

Catarafts

Types of Catarafts; Cataraft Design; Characteristics; Rotocats and Plastic Cats

Other Types of Rafts

North American Rafts; Plohts

Purchasing a Raft

Traditional Rafts; Catarafts; Used Rafts

Frames

Traditional Raft Frames; Selecting a Frame; Other Considerations; Cataraft Frames; Cooler Frames

Oars

Oar Construction; Selecting Oars; Oar Length; Setting Up Oars; Pins and Clips; Oarlocks; Fine Tuning

Paddles

Essential Riverwear

Clothing; Lifejackets; Helmets

Saddle Up: Assembling Your Gear and Crew

Inflating Your Raft

Pumps; Inflating the Raft

Rigging the Frame

Loading Accessories

Spare Oars; Spare Paddles; Bowlines; Handlines; Bail Bucketsin...