Gear Garage Live Show | February 27th, 2024

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where we answer submitted questions and talk all things whitewater.

Topics and links that Zach talked about this episode

• GoRafting River maps
• Upper Wind Whitewater Festival
• Tractor Seat Option for Oar Rafts

Questions that Zach covered in the Q&A section of this episode

Topic: Selway River

How does a mid-low water trip on the Selway compare to a mid-low water trip on the MF Salmon in terms of difficulty? Are there skills or additional requirements you would want in a boater on the Selway above and beyond what would qualify them to be successful on the middle fork?

Topic: carrying a duckie

hey Zach, What is the best way for a raft to carry and secure a duckie through the rapids on a raft. It always seems like the teens want to be in the duckie till the bigger rapids, and then they want to ride in the raft. I've seen lots of different ways, towing , straddling, etc, besides deflating the duckie, what's the best way to secure it to the gear in an oar boat?

Topic: experienced rowers

My wife and I are experienced kayakers/rafters. Taking my family down the lower Salmon this year and our two rafts simply don't have enough space. It's possible that i'm going to be short on experienced rowers so i'd be open to hiring a guide to row a gear boat if that's something you do?

Topic: NRS thigh bar

Recently I was cruising FB marketplace and saw an NRS thigh brace for sale. This is definitely not something I was looking for.

Just wanted to get your thoughts on this thing. Appears to me to be more of a hazard or potential death trap than a necessity. Any IRF implications? It's probably not in your wheelhouse but how does NRS get away with selling something like this? It seems like more of a problem and lurking liability than their letter opener/river knife.

Topic: Raft seat

Topic: experienced rowers

Not really a question but an answer to a alternate to NRS seats. https://north40.com/deluxe-low-back-tractor-seat

Give these seats a try the material is very grippy, comfortable and fit the NRS bolt pattern.They are heavier than the NRS seats and black but I have them on several frames and there definitely more durable.