Another Competitor in the Single Man Raft World

DKL

Steelhead
Looks pretty nice - not cheap, but it looks like a quality raft.

 
I'm personal friends with one of their industrial designers behind these new boats, so am hoping to get us some more hands-on experience with them to report back to everyone. Definitely some intriguing new designs coming from them.
 
Raft and frame 50 pounds.
I wonder how it packs?
 
Pretty cool looking craft.
I like that small frame. It looks you can slide both the oar locks and seat to adjust the positions.
SF
 
It looks like a very nice raft, but yikes! It costs a lot of money.
 
That adjustable frame is sick, but what's up with that seat? My ass hurts just looking at it.
Considering a Water Master Kodiak (without a stripping apron) costs $1795 I would consider the NRS a better deal. But that seat!

View attachment 132738
Those NRS seats actually are quite comfy
 
Those NRS seats actually are quite comfy
Does it have any give to it? Or contouring? It does look like a hard, flat plank, which I had not noticed before Skyriver pointed it out.
 
Yes, give. I had one I used on an inflatable kayak I had and absolutely loved it. It looks similar (as far as I can tell) to what I see in the pic above.
 
I do like that adjustable mini seat frame, and the oar locks are on the frame, not glued to the tube. But, I've not had any trouble with my WM.
 
In all seriousness the thing about adding padding to a seat with that set up would be that the oar handles will now hit your legs, which is a no-go for me.
Matt - it was a joke. And I agree with you, it would make rowing a chore.
 
I'm curious how well the oar towers hold in place. Looks like a slip connection held in by how tight the bolt is. Also wish they would've had the oars be able to be held in the opposite direction. Cool idea on how to store the oars, but they look like they'd be in the way in that position (which I don't thinl would be the case the other way around).

Cool to see these solo crafts get better and better. Looks like a real convenient option.
 
The raft body itself looks like it follows the design of Outcast Clearwater. 3 position foot brace, tube design, rear deck. Yes, the frame looks nice but I’ve never had an issue with my outcast which is 35 pounds
 
Took another look at this thing and really like the concept. Some great details on it like the oar rests.

Not sure about that dry/lock box thing though. It has a seal around the lid, but I swear I see air in this corner-
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I think I'd rather just have a gear bag like the Outcast kind. Or a rack so I could strap in a 20L dry bag or my OPST fanny bag.

And no top or inside rings behind the seat. How do you strap something down? Especially since it's not the normal self-bailing floor. Without making some cuts in that floor, you can't even put straps around the tubes.
They will get feedback on that for sure. I'm annoyed and I don't even own it. 😁

I'll be sticking with my old Commander for now, but if this one gets refined a bit...
 
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