Welcome!

Inflatables are a great way to go. They solve the storage problem.
For many seasons, I kept a couple of inflatable kayaks in the back of my van
ready to paddle at a moments notice.

A raft can be both paddled and rowed. If rowed, you have a choice of
positions.
On rafts that are somewhat symmetric, you would normally attach a rowing frame,
and depending on the type of seat, be able to row either facing forward or with
your
back toward the direction of travel. Rowing face forward (Portagee) is not as
effective
as rowing with your back forward, but you get a much better view of where you
are
going.

For fla****er and most whitewater (up to Class III), I face forward, swithing
to back
forward only in wind or in a rapid that I need the extra power to traverse.
But that is
with a rowing frame. Once you add a frame, that kind of eliminates the
advantage of
rolling up your boat. You still have the frame and oars to deal with.

Regarding the boats pictured in the link: Don't buy one of these. They are
toys that
will not be of real use. You would be better off finding a good quality used
raft. Even
old surplus military rafts will work better.

What you might want to consider is an inflatable kayak. The down side here is
that
a good one is not inexpensive. The Sevylor is probably still the cheapest, but
it too
suffers from the same problems as the Vinyl rafts shown in the link. The
material
used in these boats is simply not going to last. (I have owned a Sevylor and
can
speak from experience).

Again, a used boat is probably a good way to start. Some of the paddling
magazines
have annual buying guides that list much of what is made.

Blakely




Blakely LaCroix
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
RBP Clique member # 86.

The best adventure is yet to come.