Advantages & Disadvantages of Rafts

The very first known raft made of rubber was invented back in 1840 by two men, Lt. John Fremont and Horace H. Day. The raft was created so that Fremont could fare better during his exploration and survey of the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains areas. Rubber is still used in to make a wide array of different rafts. In the warmer months, countless rafts can be found gliding through waterways, laden with fishermen and gear, full of friends and family floating leisurely down a river or carrying adventure seekers through whitewater rapids.

  1. Advantage: Hard to Tip

    • One great thing about rafts is that they are extremely difficult to tip, and that difficulty rises as the size of the raft increases. This is why many families choose to brave rivers using rafts instead of canoes. Of course, anyone who is fond of nature, but not fond of the idea of getting wet will also appreciate this advantage.

    Advantage: Designed for Amazing Buoyancy

    • All working watercraft should be buoyant, but a raft is designed to effortlessly glide along both deep and shallow water. Rafts generally have flat, rubber-reinforced bottoms that can withstand countless brushes with gravel, smaller submerged branches and larger weight loads. Because rafts can withstand larger weight loads, coolers and other equipment can be taken along, thus making the raft a better option for those interested in spending more than just a few hours on the water.

    Advantage: Lightweight and Easy to Maneuver

    • In areas where large outcroppings of rocks hinder the passage of a raft, its weight can easily be shouldered to quickly carry it over or around such spots. The same is true for areas of extremely shallow water; however, it is not at all uncommon to see floaters bouncing through briefly shallow areas on a raft. This is done by having everyone present in the raft sit on the outer tubing and bounce up and down. Though this practice is not recommended (due largely to the possibility of puncturing the raft), it does often work to propel the raft into higher water.

    Advantage: Capacity

    • Unlike a kayak or canoe, many rafts boast weight capacities of 600 to more than 1,000 pounds and offer a larger area, which provides a great deal more space for passengers, equipment and other necessities like coolers and tents. Accessories for rafts can also be utilized to enhance storage space and increase the raft's capabilities.

    Advantage: Safety

    • Most river rafts are cleverly constructed of multiple air chambers. This adds safety and security for the passengers because if one or two chambers should be punctured, the vessel will still float. Puncturing the reinforced tubing is difficult, but not uncommon. This is especially true during whitewater rafting because it is more difficult to maneuver a raft around obstacles in fast-moving water.

    Disadvantage: Width

    • Width might be seen as an advantage for those who travel wider rivers, but it can be a disadvantage for those interested in traveling predominantly narrow waterways due to the possibility of a raft actually getting stuck in these tighter areas. Smaller rafts do tend to fare better in narrow areas, but even a small raft can become obtrusive when traveling through the narrow areas of smaller rivers, forcing the passengers to disembark and carry the raft to a wider area.

    Disadvantage: Rafts Are Not Friendly for All Pets

    • Many dog owners enjoy bringing their four legged friends with them when they fish or float, but may find that the inflated chambers of a raft can easily be punctured by a dog's claws. Smaller dogs are rarely capable of doing any damage because their weight makes it difficult to create the pressure necessary to punch through the reinforced rubber. Medium- to large-sized dogs can pose a threat to the security of the raft.