The AIRE Super Puma Self-Bailing Raft is a favorite among guides as a play raft and river runner. Aggressive bow and stern rocker paired with a slimmer profile than the average 13′ raft makes this boat fast, punchy, maneuverable, and relentless! The Super Puma makes quick work of technical rapids with must-make moves, while also being able to tackle high-volume rapids with ease that would be difficult for other 13′ designs. Whether you’re running a frame or a paddle crew, this boat is sure to leave a smile on your face every time!
While this boat’s intention is for whitewater, fishermen also find the slimmer profile perfect for running technical rapids at low water to access fishing spots larger boats cannot.
Why AIRE?
AIRE boats are designed based on a component system with urethane chambers (“AIREcells”) that are separate from the rest of the boat, rather than chambers that are formed by the welded seams of the outer material of the raft. While this makes the boat a bit heavier, there are superior advantages to this system:
- Field repairs are much easier and more effective since you can access the air chamber by unzipping the PVC outer skin.
- You can patch holes in the outer skin from the inside, making a more effective watertight seal and a less noticeable patch.
- Leaks are extremely uncommon since wear and tear on the outside of the boat doesn’t directly affect its ability to hold air.
- In the event that you really cause some damage to the inner air chamber, you can pull it out and replace it; you’re not stuck with a patch that is responsible for holding air for the rest of the boat’s life.
Well taken care of, these boats last longer than any other PVC boat out there! They are a great investment for a private boater looking for a quality setup at non-Hypalon prices.
Pro Tip
AIRE raft floors are attached to the tubes (the raft collar) by lacing them in with rope. The “Unlaced” models do not come with the floor pre-installed but include the rope you’d need to do it yourself.