How to Build the Ultimate Whitewater Raft for Camping - Part 2 - Mountain State Overland

Let's convert this raft from a day floater to a multi-day expedition boat. We'll take out the seats and platforms and replace it with a ‪@CanyonCoolers‬ Prospector 103 cooler and get this boat ready for loads of gear. We'll be spending 4 days in the New River National Park and we need all the space we can! In this video, we'll cover cooler rigging, recommended gear for multi-day floats and more.
Music by ‪@TheVegabonds‬

[@returningtoearthtv8836]

Grand Canyon guides have some cool ways to make the ice last. Here is a list of things they do: 1)pre-cool - as you did. Some even make friends with someone with a walk-in freezer, flood the cooler 1/4 full and freeze a solid clear block in the bottom which they then cover with cardboard. Waterproofed food goes on top of that, then cut pieces of Reflectix that match the interior dimension of the coolers top, edges are sealed with gorilla tape. This silver insert is then the seal at the top of the cooler - the first thing you see when you open it. The silver seal can then be used to shade the coolers interior when you are accessing contents when the sun is up. Always best to crack it in the shade or when the sun is down. Some folks are particular about always shading their cooler interiors. Good idea. (2) the first thing to lay on top of the sealed cooler is a piece of wet burlap, double thickness is better. They keep this wet all the time. Evaporative cooling technology. (3) on top of the wet burlap they place a paco pad for further insulation and comfort of passengers. Also, about the ice. If freezing water in the cooler is not possible, taking 1 gallon jugs of water and freezing them at home in the freezer is a great way to go. Clear frozen water melts much slower than commercial blocks and when it is in the plastic jugs it just becomes delightfully cold drinking water and you have no nasty juice in the bottom of your cooler to dig through. Tidy!

[@msoverland]

Wow, brilliant! Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@andrewmayo4069]

What length is your boat? Thinking about buying my first large raft and really appreciate your experience videos!

[@msoverland]

Hey there! This is a 13' RMR self-bailing raft, here's a link >> rockymountainrafts.com/collections/rafts/products/13-sb-130-self-bailing-raft?variant=41516514410673

[@andrewmayo4069]

Wow quick response thanks! Have you wished you bought a bigger raft? I’m thinking 14’ to accommodate 2 people with multiple days overnight gear. I’ve been told 16’ for four people but that is such a beast to move and store