I've been actively rafting since 1991 and have been a member of KCK (Knik Canoers & Kayakers) for ten years or so. I got into rafting when I bought an Aire Cougar cataraft. I bought it because it seemed a versatile boat to get into Alaska with. I wasn't really looking to do whitewater at the time, but once I tried it, I wanted more. The Cougar has four tubes, two on each side, and is a good freight hauling boat, but it's not a great whitewater boat. So I unlaced the the tubes from each other, added frame parts & oars, and it became a cheap conversion to two good whitewater boats. Other than being long (17.5') and having skinny tubes (18") they do quite well. Maximum weight capacity is probably only 700-800 pounds, but they row fast & easy.
I also got into inflatable kayaking with an Aire Lynx, a good all around IK. I never bothered to learn real kayaking, but I did get fairly adept at the inflatable kind. I'm certainly not an expert but I have done a couple Class V streams with them. Later I picked up a Thrillseeker IK. It's not as comfortable as the Lynx, but it is faster & surfs better. If thrills are what you're after this is a good boat for it. In late 2004 I bought another used Lynx for a great price, not that I needed one. The next spring I lashed both of the Lynx IK's together and mounted a rowing frame on top. This has been an absolute hoot to row. It's light & fast & only 10' long. It's fine for a one man craft with all your gear. Of course, it could also work as a good two man paddle raft.
I've done a fair number of Alaskan rivers, but like most people, I tend to go back again and again to places I'm familiar with. There are so many that I haven't run. Wish I had the time & money to do them all.
In my other life I am a minister at Anchorage City Church. I'm also a part time wedding photographer.
