[gkis]

Dana,
From what I understand you'll be spending more and more time in my neck of the woods, Sinktip is wright,you need a cataraft Steelheader 10' type, for the water that is mostly helicopter fished/accessed, away from the crowds.
You need a little inflatable for those runs you want to fish on the other side.(Poul style:chuckle: )
You also need a little sled/jet to get to the rivers accessible only by boat.
George

 

[gkis]

watermaster

Tyler,
You want a Watermaster type of craft. You want an inflatable that is very light so you can carrie it down or up a steep bank and portage it longer distances if necessary, welded seems, stable, rated for class 3 water, tough tubes and rated for heavy cargo, the Watermaster gives you all these. You saw my Steelheader, it is bullet proof, could go through class 4-5 rapids and it carries tons of staff but it is too heavy, at the end of a long day I have no energy left to move it around, forget about dragging it up on a steep bank The only disadvantage is the cost, $1000, it is just a tube with a couple of oars.
Oh, and you have to get it before you come up in the spring:hihi:

 

[gkis]

waterstrider.com

Water Strider is a second generation kick boat. The designer of Water Master, Dave Ink, sold that company. Then designed a whole new boat and started a new company to build it.

My buddy fishes out of one. He does the West Branch of the Delaware, North Branch of the Potomac and the main Potomac from Harpers Ferry to the beltway. He has done a couple of 5 day trips on the Dean. Helo in. Float out. Carry all of your gear, food, tackle.

I have a Steelheader. Thinking of selling it to get a Water Strider.

Yes Bert, I forgot about them, just checked their webbsite and the Water Strider($1399) is more than their bigger Sea Eagle which is twice the boat:Eyecrazy:
I too thoght about selling my steelheader, but this year I have been taking my buddies in the back so it comes handy now when I have a partner, it is not a very comfy ride but it does the job.