Gear Garage Live Show | July 24th, 2025

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

Today's Show!

• Answer Questions

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

Topic: Safety Coverage

Canyon section of the South Fork Payette at 4900cfs (Summer). Commercial trip with one raft (2 guides, 5 customers) and one safety kayak. No other boats on the river.

Is that an adequate safety setup?

Topic: Tiny Rafts

This may be a random question, but I have been watching your videos for quite some time now and love the magnetic small rafts you use in your videos. I have been looking all over for them and have come up short. Did you make them / have them 3d printed? Or did you purchase them somewhere?

Thank you for all you do for the whitewater community.

Topic: Rowing School Prep

Been down the Lower Rogue many times over the last 20 years, but mostly in IKs or on the front of someone else's boat. I've had a 14ft Sotar for a few years know and have rowed on the Upper and the Owyhee, but not the lower. I've enrolled for the Class III Rowing School starting Aug 26th, but my buddies asked if I would be the 2nd boat on a raft supported hike trip Aug 3-7. My original plan was to row with y'all before putting that burden on any other boater. However, my skills are getting there (oar shipping, reading water, downstream ferrying) and I wonder if I should help these guys out, plus it'll give me some prep before Rowing School. Should I hit Galice to Graves a bunch to practice technical lines in Argo, or what would you advise?

Topic: Stern Mount Frame Specs

Hi Zach! Josh from Chattooga here. I came across Gear Garage episode 155 on stern mount frames. I like the last frame you demonstrated, the slant board design that can be mounted center or stern.
We paddle guide here but I enjoy rowing in my free time. I plan to build a custom frame for a 13' or 14' raft and was wondering if you can pass along the specs for that frame. Any tips or drawings would be super helpful.
I'm pretty tall like you and I think it would suit me and the raft perfectly. There's a local welder's shop that I'll be taking the design to.
Thanks in advance. Have a great day!