Hey all!
Just pulled the trigger on a 12’6" Sotar Legend cataraft with a DRE LD 2 bay frame. Looking for any recommendations on any accessories that have made cat boating more enjoyable for you!
Thanks in advance!
Jeff
Jeff,
Here are a few things that come to mind:
- I like “tag lines” that allow you to grab the bow or stern of your cat if you swim. I usually use 6’ cam straps attached to the grommet at the end of the tubes.
- There are also bungee flip lines that stay on your cataraft and make it super easy to reflip.
- Another cool thing worth checking out for attaching your oars to your frame is an Oar Snubber. I haven’t use them but they seem like a good idea - especially for running harder rivers.
Tashi Delek!
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Hey Jeff,
I have the same cat! (12.5’ Sotar legend)
Zach already mentioned some of the more important ones that come to mind (a flip system and tag lines).
Depending on how you intend to use the boat, I’ve recently picked up:
- A mesh floor from Stitches N’ Stuff
- Oarlock springs
I originally thought I’d be running harder rivers on my cat but thus far it’s actually been getting thrown on to class 3 multi-days as a lightly loaded fun boat. Fun until I pulled my phone out in a deep eddy and it tumbled through my floorless cat to its grave.
The oarlock springs were also new to me, as my BetterMounts oar towers on my raft frame prevent any vertical movement already.
My next project is exploring bimini holder attachments as a possible way to hold Insta360 camera poles…
Cheers!
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What kind of rivers and runs are planning to get on?
When I pull up that frame. It looks to be more of a raft frame than cat frame. Should be fine for more chill rivers but you may want a true cat frame with a lower set of bars for the D rings on the inside of the tubes to ensure the tubes are locked in.
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Thank for the reply! It is a cataraft frame with the lower bars for internal D ring attachment and nice foot stands on the lower rails to stand up for read and run scouting. My plan is to use it over the winter/spring on Oregon & Washington rivers for day trips. Clackamas, White Salmon, Klickitat, Deschutes and as my skills improve hopefully get on to the Wind. Then to set up a light weight gear carrying set up on person for multi-boat multi-day river trips on the Lower Salmon, Rogue, Deschutes multi-day, etc.
Oarlock springs are coming with the oars!
Do you also have a DRE LD 2 bay cataraft frame? Kinda looks like it! Does your frame have the foot stands in the front and rear bay? Curious to see what the floor looks like in it as I’ve been wondering about a floor. Would you post a close up picture of the floor in the frame? And is it easily removable? It would be great to be able to take it out for technical runs during the winter/spring and then mount it in for multi-day trips.
Thanks Zach! Hope you are having an amazing time in Bhutan! Say hi to any of our friends you run into along the way.
Thanks for the length recommendation for the Tag Lines. That was my next thing to figure out.
I’ll take a look at the flip lines. I think I remember seeing a gear garage video on the snubbers. I did get a set of convertible oar rights which I’m coming to appreciate! And will be good for people I’m teaching how to row on this set up 
!
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My cat frame is a Whitewater Machine Works breakdown frame from Guy. I flex the crossbar around a bit depending on load out. On Hells Canyon we ran this as groover boat. On the Rogue I just ran my own personal gear in it.
The full length floor I ordered after my phone drop is still on its way - should be arriving this week. Will try to grab a pic once it’s all here.
I already had a small partial floor from them I was trialing on the Rogue to provide a bottom for some watersheds. Super easy on/off, about 2 minutes. The full length floor will also attach in the front and back, plus the inner side rails so maybe 5-8 minutes. I can add or remove it with the tubes inflated/off so it’s trivial to rig it up for multi-day versus a hard day trip sans floor.
Hope that helps!
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Thanks for the info! In touch with Stitches N Stuff now. She is super nice Here is the web site link for anyone that wants to check out her stuff: https://stitchesnstuff91.com/
And sick picture of you doing Ranie Falls!
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We’ve got some sweet Cataraft Bungee Flip lines that could be a great add to your setup! They are available in three different sizes so you can choose the ones that best suit your needs. Congratulations on the new raft!
Already purchased and installed on my new set up! Thank you for the quick turnaround on my order
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Two thumbs up for the oar snubbers; I love mine.
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Thanks for the confirmation! They look cool. The only times I’ve come out of my boat have been sliding sideways that may have been prevented with clips & pins or this oar snubber. I would like to use convertible oar rights. To use the oar snubbers do you need to use the oar stop provided? Or do you think there is the possibility of installing the bungee portion with a Sawyer convertible oar right?
It would be hard, but not impossible, to modify the oar snubber AND the oar-right to make them one. I think it would end up sort of janky. But, better, you can use them BOTH, together. Attach the oar snubber behind the oar-right and everything should work fine. You could attach it close to the oar-right and leave the “finger” part sticking up when you “un-right”, or, better, you could attach the snubber about four inches behind the oar right and be able to flip the finger flat. That would actually be a nice setup because you’d be able to adjust the snubber much tighter (there’s some automatic built in slack that you could eliminate.) The standard leashes are adjustable, and long enough, but if you told oar-snubbers what you are doing, and everyone thought it prudent, you could have them add an extra six inches or so to the male end of the leash..I don’t think it would be necessary, but it’s insurance. Ask them, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they hadn’t already accounted for this when deciding how much leash to include.
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Circling back since the full length floor came in. I ran it on Chili Bar on South Fork American yesterday but didn’t remember to take a picture until I’d de-rigged 80% of the way. 
Pretty clearly shows the floor though and I pulled a snap off the 360 vid so you could see it all together.
It makes it pretty convenient on class 3 rivers and multi-days to have a chiller setup for hauling some bags. It also made it really easy for me to add another seat and floor for my passenger to stay in the boat, as she’s not a strong swimmer.
< 5 minutes to remove if I get out on any harder day runs. 10 minutes to put on.
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Sweet! Kendra is making me a similar floor and your set up is exactly what I want! Versatile for day, multi-day and guest/training set ups. Love it! Thanks for the recommendation to connect with Stitches & Stuff
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Disregard the question! I see you were on the American River.
Awesome, look forward to seeing your full setup once it’s all together!