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The AIRE 143R Self-Bailing Raft is versatile and an excellent option for people who need one raft to do it all. It’s not too big to run as a paddle boat with up to seven people and not too small to gear up and take friends on multi-day expeditions.
What makes the 143R Special?
- Big Stable Tubes: As an R “Round” Series raft, 143R raft tubes maintain their 20” diameter all the way around the boat, giving you the confidence and stability you need to plunge into rough water.
- Long Water Line: The 143R has a 109” waterline that will consistently keep the boat on track.
- Durable Design: One of the most common wear points on rafts is the seams. When you look at the 143R’s side profile, you can see that the grey fabric on the bottom of the boat continues toward the ends until it comes off the ground, virtually eliminating excess wear points on the bottom of the boat.
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.