Buying a new boat….Can’t decide between a 15’ Zephyr and 16’ typhoon. Family of 4. We are all above average height. Based out of Boise and hitting all the multi day trips. Currently have a Scout 13’ and will be keeping it for day or short multi fay trips. Just not sure if I should go with the 16 for the bigger tubes and boxes/cooler or stay with the 15’. Am I just pushing more weight around I don’t need? I have a winch on my trailer at the take-out so not worried about that. Kids will probably be in the scout in 8-10 years. What would you recommend?? Thoughts?
Currently the bigger tubes for shallow water and bigger waves have me slightly leaning more towards the 16’.
I’d lean towards the 16’. I’m in Boise too. All of our local rivers can handle the 16’ fine. Your kids are not getting any smaller. I started with an Aire 143D. I thought the 15’6" - 16’ boats looked huge; but I didn’t know better. Now I have a 156R as well. I also have two sons who can row the 14’ boat so we don’t have to do single boat trips.
After watching the video and reading the comments, it sounds like I need a 16. My next question is you mentioned you didn’t like diminished tubes on the gear boat. What’s the reason? Do they not track as well? Do they ride lower in the water? The extra storage room seems like a big plus/advantage.
So between Aire and Maravia what 16’ boats would you recommend? Thoughts?
Here are some of the issues with diminished tube boats:
They don’t punch most holes well since there is less buoyancy to bring the bow or stern to the surface (especially when loaded with weight) after going through a big hole
There is less surface area upfront to stabilize the boat (keep it straight) after hitting a rock or a hole (I find them “twitchy” when they hit things)
The weight in the bow and stern tends to flatten the rocker
There is less protection for your gear/people when hitting rocks
The diminished tubed boats are generally less stiff and feel flimsy
I’d suggest a solid non-diminishing tubed 16’ boat like the AIRE 156R, Wing Serg, or the new SOTAR Praetorian 16’ that should be coming out soon.
The Hyside 16’ is a good boat too but a bit wide and Maravia makes a great boat but I’m not personally a fan of their designs.
On the Aire boat are you recommending it with the Sealed Floor Pocket (SFP)? I sent inquiries out about the Wing and Sotar boat. Still waiting for a response from Sotar. What are the negatives about the Maravia? What do you feel the Sotar and Aire would be superior in? If you had to pick a boat from Maravia in the 16’ range would you go with a Willy 2? Or a ranger 3? Looks like on the ranger and Aire I could get 40’’ boxes and a 125 cooler where the Willy or Sotar I could get 44’’ boxes and a 150 cooler. Thanks for the response and experience/knowledge on all of this. I find it very helpful.
We plan on using the boat for overnight trips. I will be keeping my 13’ Sout Maravia for other day trips. A family of 4. Kids currently in 1st and 3rd grade. Doing the Lower Salmon, Hells Canyon, Deschutes, John Day, Grande Ronde, lower Owyhee, and hopefully the Main and San Juan. Progressively experiencing more and doing more as the kids grow and get more comfortable in the water.
Just trying to do my due diligence now on gleaning information from people with years of experience, so I don’t have buyers remorse and wishing I would have purchased something different/or gone a different direction. So by asking people who have seen more than me and used way more product than myself I can achieve the most optimal setup and keep it for 15+ years. I don’t have a lot of experience rowing other boats besides Maravia. I have rowed an Aire one time and have a friend with a Sotar, but have never been on the sticks. My current preference for Maravia is that the store is right down the street from me. So supporting local business and convenience is why I have been asking more about Maravia boats. Also it’s what I have been currently rowing and all I know.
Based on everything you’ve said I’d go with the Maravia Williwaw 2. There are a lot of advantages of being close to their factory and I love supporting local businesses.
I personally don’t many of the Maravia designs but they are well made and proven designs. The Williwaw 2 is solid.
Thanks for the response. Hopefully Sotar gets back to me with some info on the new 16’. Wouldn’t mind comparing specs and price with the Willy 2.
Last question for you…..so where would you add the extra D rings. A couple more in the stern? One on the inside of the stern and bow? in the middle of the boat on each side to support the grab/perimeter line?
Those all sound like good places for d-rings. It really depends on your frame and how you rig your boat. I just think most Maravias have the bare minimum number of d-rings and based on the material it’s really hard to add them later.
The valve placement on the Williwaw 2 is really weird too. Modern boats have all the valves on the bow and stern to make it easier to pump and to make it easier to deflate tubes in a raft pin.
