Abstract Watercraft

Stonedfish

Known Pluviophile
Forum Supporter
Anyone seen one of these raft inserts in person?
Interesting concept. I couldn’t find anything about the weight. Looks like they are made on Bainbridge.
SF

 
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I haven't seen one on the river yet.
I like the idea a LOT. It essentially turns your raft into a drift boat, at least on the inside. I think you lose some storage though.
The price has to be really high. I know they've had a couple proto-types out there for Marty and other guides. It will be interesting to follow. People seem willing to pay a LOT of money for toys these days so maybe they'll make it. Guess we'll find out.
 
First gen boats had numbers throw around over 20k.... not sure where they have gone since? One might surmise this looks like a gen 2
 
Looking like a cross between an ersatz RHIB and a drift boat. Can probably find a great drift boat for less
 
Hey everyone. New boat is all over Instagram. We’ve had three beta boats out in the wild for a few years w the Sheppard’s, Keith Johnson and Lael Johnson. We gathered all of the info and feel more than ready to release what is arguably the best fishing experience out of raft to date.

If it’s unclear what we’re trying to do-the idea is an ultralight, self bailing, one piece composite frame that fits into a white water raft. Some might say it’s best of both worlds-best of a hard boat and a raft.

We’re leaning into a design that fits the AIRE Super Puma 13ft inflatable.

Base line kit is $8,800 and it includes the one piece composite frame, two casting braces, anchor arm and foot stomp plus the Eva foam flooring.

Full packages available as well. Hit us up info@abstractwatercraft.com

A few photos below. Thanks for listening. If you’re near Bainbridge Island-give me a holler. Rich Batcheller 2063054010
 
If you can get into a brand new-self bailing design for a lot less…take me to you leader.

If you want the benefits of a soft boat AND a hard boat-give this a serious look.
What's that old saying? "Jack of all trades, master of none"....or something like that. To me it looks like you're searching for the solution to a problem that doesn't really exist....IMO

I'll stand by my earlier comment...
 
That's pretty cool! But I see a lot of guys and even guides who have made their own raft frames for a fraction of the cost of a custom or store bought frame kit. I guess it will be a cost thing and a style thing.
 
The concept of being able to walk around a raft is cool. I totally get why guides would need this feature. However, as a recreational angler, that need is not near as big. My buddy can untangle his own mess. 😁
Also as a rec angler, I like the flexibility a framed raft gives. I can configure a standard 3 seat raft a few different ways depending on the trip. Move this crossbar up, move the oar stands where ever I want them, etc. I also have flexibility on where to pack things.

If I'm a guide on a river where guests will be fishing out of the boat then this really does makes for the ultimate year-round weapon. If we're just swinging or it's the Deschutes then not so much. If my river is a tailwater that stays high enough for a drift boat all year then also maybe not.

@Abstract Watercraft
As a consumer, I like websites like NRS and Aire that give me very specific prices for rafts, frames and total packages. I understand this is not always possible with developing products, but if you know you're targeting 13' Super Pumas then you should be able to provide the following-
Price for base kit, like you gave above. That's great. It would be even better on your website.
Price for complete kit- This would be the one piece composite frame and everything I need to put on my Super Puma for a day on the river for 3 people. Maybe a price with oars & blades and maybe a price without those.
Price for complete package- This is the Complete kit on a new Aire Super Puma. And maybe a price with trailer and a price w/out.

I believe people are turned off when there are no prices listed. They also make shit up. A la conspiracy theories.
Prices give people the ability to quickly decide if that item is even in the ballpark of reality for them.

I know people spend $10k on fishing rafts and over $20k on drift boats so if you show that you can compete with those type of products it can only increase your customer base.
Again, I'm a rec angler, not a marketing expert. Just a dude that owns boats and rafts and fishes with lots of dudes with boats and rafts. Some of those dudes are the type that would seriously look at your product if they think it's a better option than that $24k Hyde they've been drooling over.

Anyway, I can't wait to see how it does!
 
Damn, we're calling 2 posts bot-like? Somebody is fired up this morning. 😁

As a consumer, I appreciate companies that are willing to post on forums. I think it shows a willingness to work with customers. Many don't have that. Sure, if they're spamming then ban em, but 2 or 3 posts like above seems pretty tame.

If they were smart they would support the site and then post some cool reports while using their boat. And it's fairly common for outdoor rec companies to give communities like ours "first looks", or "drive tests" or even actual discounts.

I'm sure just a single IG reel probably gives them way more advertising views than a couple of posts here. However, they know forums like ours have people that actually buy products rather then just liking the video. It will be interesting to see if they support and/or interact.
 
Damn, we're calling 2 posts bot-like? Somebody is fired up this morning. 😁

As a consumer, I appreciate companies that are willing to post on forums. I think it shows a willingness to work with customers. Many don't have that. Sure, if they're spamming then ban em, but 2 or 3 posts like above seems pretty tame.

If they were smart they would support the site and then post some cool reports while using their boat. And it's fairly common for outdoor rec companies to give communities like ours "first looks", or "drive tests" or even actual discounts.

I'm sure just a single IG reel probably gives them way more advertising views than a couple of posts here. However, they know forums like ours have people that actually buy products rather then just liking the video. It will be interesting to see if they support and/or interact.
Yeah, but the guy who actually knows what a product IS showing up to answer questions totally ruins a good what-if rant! 😆
 
Damn, we're calling 2 posts bot-like? Somebody is fired up this morning. 😁

As a consumer, I appreciate companies that are willing to post on forums. I think it shows a willingness to work with customers. Many don't have that. Sure, if they're spamming then ban em, but 2 or 3 posts like above seems pretty tame.

If they were smart they would support the site and then post some cool reports while using their boat. And it's fairly common for outdoor rec companies to give communities like ours "first looks", or "drive tests" or even actual discounts.

I'm sure just a single IG reel probably gives them way more advertising views than a couple of posts here. However, they know forums like ours have people that actually buy products rather then just liking the video. It will be interesting to see if they support and/or interact.
Oh I stay fired up!
 
What's that old saying? "Jack of all trades, master of none"....or something like that. To me it looks like you're searching for the solution to a problem that doesn't really exist....IMO

I'll stand by my earlier comment...
I agree. It’s still going to row like a raft no matter how you dress it up.
 
To be clear: We absolutely encourage them and others to participate here to talk about their product. The only post I removed was a "call to action" of sorts, and nothing informing us about the product or answering tech questions.
 
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