The All Flat Raft Frame - part 1 of 2
/Every year we build a frame that incorporates some new ideas. For the past few years, we’ve built out NRS E-160s, which are great rafts, but this year we decided to try something new.
Last fall, we acquired an old 17.5’ Avon Super Pro. Since this raft has a layout that can carry a large frame, we wanted to try a frame set up that is all laid out on the same level.
To make the entire plane of the frame flat with the outer bars of the frame, we came up with a new inner frame cross bar system. This allows the boxes to hang lower and for the lids of the boxes to be slightly recessed.
Our goal was to have everything forward of the cooler all one plane. The very front bay would be a large, fixed hatch over a drop bag, the next bay would be a pair of split boxes. In the footwell there would be a large side box on each side.
Figuring out the details of how the boxes hang in the frame and still have clearances for a recessed lid as well as a handle system that would be functional, easy on the hands for carrying and yet still sit flush down in the frame system took some head scratching. We ended up making a box hanging/handle system using channel and PVC, which allowed everything to sit flush.
When set in the new frame cross bar system, this set up allows for the handles to be pushed down, sit flush and out of the way. It all worked out well for the flush to the frame concept we were after.
After adding a couple of sleep plates, it was time to go on the river to try things out.
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September 2022
- Sep 16, 2022 The All Flat Raft Frame - part 2 of 2 Sep 16, 2022
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July 2022
- Jul 14, 2022 The All Flat Raft Frame - part 1 of 2 Jul 14, 2022
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May 2022
- May 12, 2022 Cooler Latch Surgery May 12, 2022
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April 2021
- Apr 4, 2021 Comparing 12’ Rafts - Hyside Max 12 v NRS 12’ Osprey Apr 4, 2021
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January 2021
- Jan 19, 2021 Designing for Cooler Latch Clearances Jan 19, 2021
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November 2020
- Nov 4, 2020 Trying out a few new ideas on our 2020 NRS E-160 demo raft. Nov 4, 2020
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April 2020
- Apr 21, 2020 Oar Tower Placement & The 4-bay Raft Frame Design Challenge Apr 21, 2020
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October 2019
- Oct 31, 2019 Adding Side Decks with SeaDek to a Single Rail Frame Oct 31, 2019
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August 2019
- Aug 23, 2019 Oar Tower Testing: Speed-Rail fitting with stanchion vs NRS frame oar mount Aug 23, 2019
- Aug 12, 2019 Can you put SeaDek foam on Diamond Plate Decks? Aug 12, 2019
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May 2019
- May 17, 2019 Choosing & Setting Up a Raft Bimini May 17, 2019
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March 2019
- Mar 28, 2019 Finishing details of the first CHUB Mar 28, 2019
- Mar 15, 2019 Comparing 16' Rafts - NRS E-160 v Hyside PRO 16 XT Mar 15, 2019
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November 2018
- Nov 6, 2018 Our Aluminum "Chub" Hatchery. Nov 6, 2018
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August 2018
- Aug 11, 2018 New Raft - New Ideas Aug 11, 2018
- Aug 2, 2018 Testing out using foam for the side decking on a raft frame Aug 2, 2018
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June 2018
- Jun 30, 2018 Rigging Rails for Raft Frames Jun 30, 2018
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May 2018
- May 29, 2018 Hog Island - One River Many Voices Project May 29, 2018
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March 2018
- Mar 22, 2018 Dry Box Tray Mar 22, 2018
- Mar 8, 2018 A visit from the Wooden Brother Mar 8, 2018
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February 2018
- Feb 16, 2018 The Details in the Dories Feb 16, 2018
- Feb 7, 2018 Dory Build - the "Dimock" Evolved Briggs Boats Feb 7, 2018