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Cat Raft Beam or Widths -

I’ve used Cats in various shapes, sizes, with custom effects over the years having both drawn in the math concerned that illustrates “idyllic” model dimensions and also confirmed first hand many of these developments working the rivers of Alaska.

Your query suggests that a narrower Cat is more or less required (you said suitable) for your desired use…  I would say more than almost certainly - not really - so unless in the extreme circumstance, & most boaters don’t venture out on these kinds of waters. NO - ya just shouldn’t need to.

How slender a beam needs to be converted into is entirely up to the user and the demands of its application.

Here is what I would do, I have done, & so I am on familiar terms with its installation and workings:

First question is – do you have a modular or component type framework making use of inner (like NRS) or outer diameter fittings?  The other is breakdown oars or permanent one-piece oar shafts?

Let’s just say you have an NRS system frame.

If so this is the ticket to experiment with or make changes while on the go –

All your bars, drop downs, and all should be styled w/ fittings (no bent yoke style cross sections or bent inner bar lengths)

Now what you do is have all cross beams uppers and lowers on a multiple hole adjusting quick-pin or through-bolt design.  You make these on a jig & surely placed squarely in a vice drill press.  (* Use a big press – I burned mine out) One long end of matching NRS fitting T-Rated Speed-rail O.D. Pipe goes to each cross section uppers & lowers that will represent the minimum width you would ever try (talking barely wider than turning your Cat into a fused-tube or one big happy double-tube canoe.)  A thick walled I.D. (inner diameter) pipe telescopes out of this while having a piece of NRS fitting O.D. Speed Rail Bolted or welded on to the opposite end.  Multiple corresponding holes are drilled though the ID pipes to hold a desired beam or width of the Cat using pins.  It’s really quite simple, plenty strong, and works!

Oars should be on a free feathering system shafts should be string wrapped, and then tied in if you wish to make this as tool free as possible.

In my estimation - I think you will still find that what I said about requiring a narrower Cat in reality ringing true…  nevertheless, A cat is the perfect platform to experiment with.  I would say that inwards of a 66” total boat width on a 16’ AIRE Jag is not worth the enterprise, and therefore you should look into a smaller boat.  Minimum on “total boat width” (not cross-bars) I’d recommend for good Cat handling characteristics is about 76”.

Hope this helps out –
Brian Richardson
http://www.northernrim.com

Message Thread:

• cataraft width MIhunt Jan 14 2005
  • Some tips on narrow cat frames Michael Strahan Jan 21 2005
  • Cat Raft Beam or Widths Brian Richardson Jan 19 2005
    • the ideas MIhunt Jan 21 2005
  • cataraft width 450HUNTER Jan 15 2005