How Not To Raft: Testing 3:1 Systems

[@GearGarageTV]

That was really interesting. Thank you.

[@seanfraser7738]

Great video Trevor, thanks!

[@RaftingMagazine]

Thanks Sean, Hope it helped shed some light on what kind of forces we are dealing with out there.

[@richardweiss6181]

Great information. Can you explain the difference between Gore Tex and Gore Tex Pro, and which we should look for in paddling clothing, particularly dry suits?

[@RaftingMagazine]

Hopefully this video can help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYSbnmVto7GmgpI Ultimately there is very little difference between Gore-Tex and Gore-Tex Pro other than a bit more elasticity in the ePTFE. Naturally they are pretty tight lipped about the formula, but in paddling clothing it really doesn't matter that much on what specific formula of ePTFE is used since they all work on the same principal. That is high humidity on one side of the fabric and low humidity on the other causes the ePTFE to pull moisture away from your body. Unfortunately in paddling the outside and inside of the ePTFE layers experience a similar level of humidity so it can be somewhat inefficient at pulling moisture out of the suit unless you are on a particularly arid section of river or you are not getting splashed that much while you are heading down river.

[@ChadEAult]

Another method to try if you don’t have all the gear needed is to deflate one side. If a boat is evenly positioned on a rock, deflate one side and then set up your ropes on the other sides down stream D-rings and try to get that end full of water and pull for dear life. Granted if you don’t have prusiks and extra caribiners, it’s worth a shot. Could make it worse or it could slide off. I have been rafting for 30 years and the reality is often times many guides just don’t carry all they need. Especially on play trips. It’s not often you pin a boat, but anything can happen. Another factor is on a wider river you might not have the length of rope you need to set up a proper z drag. It’s an option I have seen work while in a pinch. Just saying…..

[@dgiroday1]

The raft didn't want to wrap initially. Eventually it did.

[@ribrobrooproop]

Great video. Not trying to play the devil's advocate or anything, but I'd imagine that the manufacturers that didn't provide you data or material probably view raft recovery as outside of their scope of warranty. If they release data or testing to you and it's poorer than a competitor's they are just hurting sales. They'd probably point to user-error if there were issues recovering a raft.

[@mathiasleile3904]

Thanks for testing. Very interesting. Do you know this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKe1f4loeKyZjbM They got 11kN in their tests. But they used brand new material. Would be interesting to see the difference to older equipment.