My 6-year old grandson watched this video with me this morning and was inspired to create a Lego raft, with a toilet! Your video last year with your sons impressed on him the beauty of the "underwater release" which he performs when ever he can. Thanks!
Going for the 16' was aggressive for the fishing rig! Obviously, rafting is about a lot more than fishing and that is the boat that meets all your needs but I still have never seen a 16' with a fishing frame (Ive also never seen two stern seats, but you seem like the kinda guy who likes to cross swords with another fisherman). Also, I have learned that the perfect numbers of rafts to own is how ever many you have plus one. Im awaiting the delivery of my 3rd raft from DRE now. Cheers
Nice boat ! Big , but as you say is super comfy . Anchor system is what every fishing raft should incorporate . I had Down River make me a platform for my dog , great people there . Took the raft to them set it up we discussed size and ease of putting in and taking out two weeks later I had it . Covered the platform with Bed Rug ( you can buy direct in bulk ) and attached it to the dog platform, super comfy for Willie . I also use it in my drift boat for flooring , displaces water and is 3/4 thick and helps soften the load of standing all day . Have fond memories of rowing down the Green River all the way to Little Hole with a 20+mph wind coming straight upriver in my raft that’s when big is not better . All part of the adventure. Rod holders are a challenge with a raft can’t wait to see what you come up with . Stay Huge
Just finished watching the 2021 Fly Fishing Film Festival films (which was fantastic) and pleased to see that Huge Flyfisherman was one of the hosts. You did a great job and it made the Film Festival more personal to me since I have been enjoying your Monday morning videos for some time now. Off to Xcalak Mexico to chase Permit, finally able to travel again. Stay Huge!
You just called it the Family Truckster. Like the station wagon from the movie National Lampoon's Vacation except its a the raft from Ben's Huge Family Vacation... coming soon.
Down River is the best! They doctored my old Bi-Yak, a/k/a the Edmund Fitzgerald, a few times after some disasters. Can’t say enough good things about those guys. Your new rig looks awesome. Be safe, have fun, and stay huge.
The Canada Geese flew through two weeks ago, hawks & eagles this week, freakin' owls are everywhere in huge numbers. I guess the falcons are here as I'm seeing some robin heads scattered across ground. Ah, the circle of life.
I had a 16' cataraft and then tried an 18' set of tubes. So surprised at how nice the 18' tubes rowed and got through skinny water. Just got the Tornado 45 lb anchor and looking forward to see what water I can anchor up on to work areas I couldn't fish before. Love all the Huge vids and the Madison is fishing well before all the big fish get educated. March fishing. Find a weather window and go for it.
New to your channel and super stoked I found it! I traded a @&$ for a raft several years ago and have been looking for ideas to customize it. Been thinking about making plywood floors and walking platforms along the sides. Can't wait for the snow to melt so I can move the sleds off the trailer and put my barge on it. It's a really old 14' Campways Miwok Model 337 in need of some updates to the old steel frame. It's also way overdue for newer oars so it's good to get your opinion on oars and I haven't even thought about counter balance oars. Thanks Huge for the video and I guess I'll be spending my weekend checking out the rest of your channel.
I have Monday’s and Tuesday’s off work. These videos are are so motivational Monday morning when I want to sleep in, instead of fish. Looking forward to seeing you build the specialized fishing boat. Also good to have some insight about bigger boats for family for the future. I have no boat name ideas unfortunately. 🤦🏼♂️ the “USS Facepalm” lol
Name her "HUGE RUBBER" thanks for all your vids bro.i dont know how much work you put into making vids for us but i figure its quite time consuming and its greatly appreciated.stay HUGE brother.....
Hey Ben, It's been 2 years plus on the new boat, would love to see an update on how things are working out, new parts and/or accessories, or stuff you got rid of because it didn't work as planned
That’s an awesome raft. Congratulations! This video got me fired up even more think of the adventures I’ll be having with my boys later this year once our new drift boat is built. As far as a name, call her the BSB (blue suede boat) because she’s as smooth as blue suede shoes.
"i'm not really a minimalist when it comes to my boat".....i died when you said that cause it's a 23 minute boat tour. You are epic man and your boat is sick. I rowed the middle fork of the salmon as a guide and i would have loved to have this boat.
I think a good video for the future would be how you get your boat on and off the trailer. I see so many people join the crank up to the d ring and just reef on it
For your new decks, I highly recommend a single layer of fiberglass. I know, it sucks. But if you use the thin woven mat it is not too bad. Once the epoxy starts kicking off, put in some grit or your grip strips. After 40 years on the water, I have given up on varnish of any kind for all but interior stuff.
Great video Ben, I'm outfitting my raft and gained a lot of inspiration from this. You should probably name your boat Louie or Randall, or literally anything besides Neil.
Hey Ben, for those of us that are kinda new to the rafting world, and are looking to enter, can you do a vid on how you plan a trip and things we need to look into for a raft trip? permits and such?
This may be overlooked with the age, do you find rowing difficult at a raised position on the cooler? Im reading the closer to the frame the better. Whats your experience? Do you compensate with longer oars?
For a toilet you should check out the Thunderbox. It's an Australian company that makes portable camp toilets. It folds up flat to an inch thick and uses biodegradable bags. Plus the name is funny.
Yeah, I guess you do live in one the colder places, but I mean, I live in northern New England, which has some great fisheries, but there's still a good deal of ice out there. I can fish my rivers, but not my lakes, which my boat is more built for, but I do have some good rivers for it nearby which hopefully i'll be able to get out on it.
I've been thinking of getting a float tube (local streams aren't very wide but are occasionally not wade-able. I'll have to see if I can fine a Bimini that'll fit.
Why do you feel it is important to keep your wood floors/drybox/cooler hovered above the raft floor with all the weight distributed on the frame/side tubes via the cam straps?
Nice infomercial. Congrats on the new boat Ben. Never heard of those anchors before. I'm guessing you can stack as many or as few of the weight plates on as you want?
Whenever you can blend family and fishing, you win. Whenever your boat actually scores points with your wife, you are a genius. I have five boats and its still not enough
Hey fellow Ben! I'm new to your channel and it's awesome! Informative, but in a really relatable way. I'll enjoy working my way through the rest as I spin up some flies. Cheers. 🍻
Great review. Glad you went more whitewater. I love cataraft oars, would have picked different blades, but looks like they match your river system real nice. The floors worry me because of entrapment, but they're cool! Have you bought a drysuit yet?
If you went trailer less, and just broke this down and put in the back of your truck is that feasible? Too much of a headache? Throwing around ideas for future plans.
Hey Ben. Do you have any idea if the Downriver Equipment frame components are compatible with the original Star frame tubes? I’ve got an old Super Bug I’m looking to replace and trick out…
That is a Huge, beautiful boat! I don’t know your wife’s name but you could include it in naming your boat somehow. She probably deserves it..she does have to put up with you.😂 (Just joking, you seem like a really great guy). Maybe a combination of your kids names? I used to swim at a place called Marymeade, later found out it was the guys kids..daughter Mary and son Meade, it’s been 55 years and renamed 6-7 times but that’s what I still call it. Whatever you choose..I’m sure it will be epic. Thanks as always Ben. Sorry reply is so long.
I've got a new boat on the way for June it is very different than your boat. I fish a lot of swamps and I'm getting a surface drive boat. Anyways great vid man safe boating out there
Are you loving the foot cleet and if you are did you rivet it to the frame? I am in a similar boat as far as most trips is my family with a dog so I put a Bimini top on as per your advice and is probably the best addition yet for my wife and kids for sure pun intended haha
Most floatable rivers in Oregon are closed to trout fishing until the end of May, due to the salmon and steelhead runs. The Deschutes River is open on the lower end, but you are not allowed to fish from any floatation device. You have to be out of the boat to fish. The few rivers open to trout fishing now are not float friendly and too small with a lot of obstructions. My wife says I do NOT need a boat. Happy wife, happy life. I do have a canoe, though.
Honda Odyssey or Dodge Caravan. Nice Family MiniVan you got there! Big, slow, clogs up traffic and the boat ramp...also a bitch to get in the garage. But, Sweet Grand Canyon/Gates of Lodore rig!!!
@@HugeFlyFisherman Hopefully Knot Kneedle is a partner they are using almost one of your videos to promote their product. Master Blaster Angling Inc. Keeps popping up on my you tube commercials. I'm trying to decide between a kataraft and a raft, I have 3 one person kats but want something for 3 people, white water primary but with the ability to fly fish out of, also looking at e motor for mild trolling. Just can't decide.
Huge, I am bummed! I have the same Hyside as your old boat and I watch your videos because we are brothers of the boat. But now that you went all fancy..... hummm.... But if you are going with a 2 boat world, then the smaller one should be called "Chicken Little" and the monster "Big Chicken".
As an avid camper and fellow huge fly fisherman, I'd love to see some videos of the overnight trips you mentioned.
Mr. Huge got a 16’ boat to haul all his beer and fried chicken
“HUGE Blue Tube” looks awesome.
"PBR"...professional boat rower...oh yeah !!!
Neil had this trademarked
Hahaha
Nice move !!!
Nickname....PAPS
My 6-year old grandson watched this video with me this morning and was inspired to create a Lego raft, with a toilet!
Your video last year with your sons impressed on him the beauty of the "underwater release" which he performs when ever he can.
Thanks!
Thanks for clarifying the purpose of the stripping basket. 😉
Your format and presentation is fun. It’s what keeps me coming back
Call it “The stimulus check”
Really informative. Your knowledge is sometimes hidden by your humor.
Stay Bluge!
Putting your buddies on fish... oh, you’re a guide?
All the best with the boat, looks fantastic.
Or "Neil let's have a row off"
Going for the 16' was aggressive for the fishing rig! Obviously, rafting is about a lot more than fishing and that is the boat that meets all your needs but I still have never seen a 16' with a fishing frame (Ive also never seen two stern seats, but you seem like the kinda guy who likes to cross swords with another fisherman). Also, I have learned that the perfect numbers of rafts to own is how ever many you have plus one. Im awaiting the delivery of my 3rd raft from DRE now. Cheers
Nice boat ! Big , but as you say is super comfy . Anchor system is what every fishing raft should incorporate . I had Down River make me a platform for my dog , great people there . Took the raft to them set it up we discussed size and ease of putting in and taking out two weeks later I had it . Covered the platform with Bed Rug ( you can buy direct in bulk ) and attached it to the dog platform, super comfy for Willie . I also use it in my drift boat for flooring , displaces water and is 3/4 thick and helps soften the load of standing all day . Have fond memories of rowing down the Green River all the way to Little Hole with a 20+mph wind coming straight upriver in my raft that’s when big is not better . All part of the adventure. Rod holders are a challenge with a raft can’t wait to see what you come up with .
Stay Huge
I have a Carolina Skiff, 2 canoes, 2 kayaks and a sailboat. But now I really want a fly fishing raft. This is really, really nice looking.
Just finished watching the 2021 Fly Fishing Film Festival films (which was fantastic) and pleased to see that Huge Flyfisherman was one of the hosts. You did a great job and it made the Film Festival more personal to me since I have been enjoying your Monday morning videos for some time now. Off to Xcalak Mexico to chase Permit, finally able to travel again. Stay Huge!
Hello, Mr. Huge.
Nice boat. You should call it "Hugh". Short for "Hugh G. Boat"
Cheers.
You just called it the Family Truckster. Like the station wagon from the movie National Lampoon's Vacation except its a the raft from Ben's Huge Family Vacation... coming soon.
Hey Ben! That's a nice "Winnebargo"!
Down River is the best! They doctored my old Bi-Yak, a/k/a the Edmund Fitzgerald, a few times after some disasters. Can’t say enough good things about those guys. Your new rig looks awesome. Be safe, have fun, and stay huge.
keep trying new thing that work for you. Looks like you have made alot of helpfull upgrades. Be super proud of that because its great. AWESOME
The Canada Geese flew through two weeks ago, hawks & eagles this week, freakin' owls are everywhere in huge numbers. I guess the falcons are here as I'm seeing some robin heads scattered across ground. Ah, the circle of life.
Great boat,happy floating. Safe boating
I had a 16' cataraft and then tried an 18' set of tubes. So surprised at how nice the 18' tubes rowed and got through skinny water. Just got the Tornado 45 lb anchor and looking forward to see what water I can anchor up on to work areas I couldn't fish before. Love all the Huge vids and the Madison is fishing well before all the big fish get educated. March fishing. Find a weather window and go for it.
Like the new setup. I’ve used some of your ideas on my raft and it saved a lot of time trying to figure things out
HUGE Haven. Your boat is fabulous!
excellent picture selection of mom and dad in college haha
How about queen Victoria or queen V or just V since this is the set up man!
New to your channel and super stoked I found it! I traded a @&$ for a raft several years ago and have been looking for ideas to customize it. Been thinking about making plywood floors and walking platforms along the sides. Can't wait for the snow to melt so I can move the sleds off the trailer and put my barge on it. It's a really old 14' Campways Miwok Model 337 in need of some updates to the old steel frame. It's also way overdue for newer oars so it's good to get your opinion on oars and I haven't even thought about counter balance oars. Thanks Huge for the video and I guess I'll be spending my weekend checking out the rest of your channel.
You're awesome dude, for the people youtuber 🤘
Name her "big blue" 💙 and thanks for the fun fly fish n videos Ben.
Stay huge!
I have Monday’s and Tuesday’s off work. These videos are are so motivational Monday morning when I want to sleep in, instead of fish. Looking forward to seeing you build the specialized fishing boat. Also good to have some insight about bigger boats for family for the future. I have no boat name ideas unfortunately. 🤦🏼♂️ the “USS Facepalm” lol
Name her "HUGE RUBBER" thanks for all your vids bro.i dont know how much work you put into making vids for us but i figure its quite time consuming and its greatly appreciated.stay HUGE brother.....
Sweet new boat Ben! I was wondering about the size when I saw your last vid thinking that rig looks HUGE compared to my 13ft NRS. And it is.
Hey Ben,
It's been 2 years plus on the new boat, would love to see an update on how things are working out, new parts and/or accessories, or stuff you got rid of because it didn't work as planned
Congrats on the new boat. What about El Grande
That’s an awesome raft. Congratulations! This video got me fired up even more think of the adventures I’ll be having with my boys later this year once our new drift boat is built.
As far as a name, call her the BSB (blue suede boat) because she’s as smooth as blue suede shoes.
"i'm not really a minimalist when it comes to my boat".....i died when you said that cause it's a 23 minute boat tour. You are epic man and your boat is sick. I rowed the middle fork of the salmon as a guide and i would have loved to have this boat.
oh my bad 14 minutes with safety talk and such......oh and beer.
I think a good video for the future would be how you get your boat on and off the trailer. I see so many people join the crank up to the d ring and just reef on it
My favorite boat name: "UNSINKABLE -2" Thanks for the video Ben!
Been getting fishing a lot since the start of the trout season here in Scotland (March 15th) and have done shite but I'm hoping my luck changes soon
Name it "The Huge One"
I was going to say "The Huge Raft"
Go classic on the name: The Schlitz (old school beer)
I thought you named it in the previous video, “THE LOOOVE BOOOOAT!”
Huge blue. Sounds cool.
For your new decks, I highly recommend a single layer of fiberglass. I know, it sucks. But if you use the thin woven mat it is not too bad. Once the epoxy starts kicking off, put in some grit or your grip strips. After 40 years on the water, I have given up on varnish of any kind for all but interior stuff.
Dude nice puddle skip, can’t wait to see a video with you and the famjam rockin it
Beatiful !!! nice boat!!! Congratulations...
Nice boat. Just ordered the Tornado for my new rig because of your video. You should get a taste
Hey it was great to witness your "Ahhh Ha" "Light 💡 Blub" On Moment at the end, thanks for Sharing a Beer with us!
Great video Ben, I'm outfitting my raft and gained a lot of inspiration from this. You should probably name your boat Louie or Randall, or literally anything besides Neil.
What brand is the Bimini? Nice boat!
There is a link in the description.
Blue Butter is my suggestion...
love the Pabst good choice , i agree love the bimini got to have it ,the anchor is interesting gonna try it
Hey Ben, for those of us that are kinda new to the rafting world, and are looking to enter, can you do a vid on how you plan a trip and things we need to look into for a raft trip? permits and such?
This may be overlooked with the age, do you find rowing difficult at a raised position on the cooler? Im reading the closer to the frame the better. Whats your experience? Do you compensate with longer oars?
For a toilet you should check out the Thunderbox. It's an Australian company that makes portable camp toilets. It folds up flat to an inch thick and uses biodegradable bags. Plus the name is funny.
Love the boat Ben! Love how dialed in it is!
Yeah, I guess you do live in one the colder places, but I mean, I live in northern New England, which has some great fisheries, but there's still a good deal of ice out there. I can fish my rivers, but not my lakes, which my boat is more built for, but I do have some good rivers for it nearby which hopefully i'll be able to get out on it.
One heck of a cool float
Is the grip tape or sand in the varnish hard on fly lines? Seems like it could be bad if you're stepping on the line at all.
Bandit -- for transporting beers across river lines
Another cool video, congratulations on the new boat or should I say “the azule mule” 😜
Definitely just name her “Neil”
Need to get on that smallmouth bite! It's been on fire! Would love to see a video on it.
You referenced the Family Truckster. Name the boat "Clark" as in Clark Griswold simple name with HUGE comedic references behind it.
Call it the "Crafty Rafty." Get it? Because you crafted your own style to it? You get it haha. STAY HUGE!
As big as that boat is and as much stuff you can put it, I'd call it the Huge Grocery getter
The new bot is sick sick!!
Fun fact: my older, used Outcast PAC13 (fishing set up) came with an anchor foot release.
Wonder if it was aftermarket? I’ve got a 02 pac 1300
What was the total cost
I've been thinking of getting a float tube (local streams aren't very wide but are occasionally not wade-able. I'll have to see if I can fine a Bimini that'll fit.
Why do you feel it is important to keep your wood floors/drybox/cooler hovered above the raft floor with all the weight distributed on the frame/side tubes via the cam straps?
Raft floors, especially I-beam floors, are not designed to bear a lot of weight. Also abrasion/pinching.
Can't wait to watch this video again with beer in hand!
Is that a tornado paper weight in the background?
Nice infomercial. Congrats on the new boat Ben. Never heard of those anchors before. I'm guessing you can stack as many or as few of the weight plates on as you want?
Keith officially recommends not taking the anchor apart, but yeah it’s pretty basic.
Whenever you can blend family and fishing, you win. Whenever your boat actually scores points with your wife, you are a genius. I have five boats and its still not enough
Yeah, Buoy! I think I said this last video. Actually, I did: "If you didn't name the boat "Yeah, Buoy!" I don't know why I keep watching your videos."
Raft with a Bimini...nice
"Blue Buoy" would be a good name.
Hey fellow Ben! I'm new to your channel and it's awesome! Informative, but in
a really relatable way. I'll enjoy working my way through the rest as I spin up some flies. Cheers. 🍻
Great review. Glad you went more whitewater. I love cataraft oars, would have picked different blades, but looks like they match your river system real nice. The floors worry me because of entrapment, but they're cool! Have you bought a drysuit yet?
I live in delaware and theres not alot of big water what would you recommend for a small water float that has a good platform and wount break the bank
Good job Spanky.
Love the passion HFF
How about the the good ship Catch N Cook
Doing the Good Lord's work...8-}
If you went trailer less, and just broke this down and put in the back of your truck is that feasible? Too much of a headache? Throwing around ideas for future plans.
Which this boat, no way. If you pare it down, then yes. I operated without a trailer for years.
@@HugeFlyFisherman cool, stay Huge!! Tenkara is cane pole fishing!!
Hey Ben. Do you have any idea if the Downriver Equipment frame components are compatible with the original Star frame tubes? I’ve got an old Super Bug I’m looking to replace and trick out…
just found your page i to just getting one exited to do some things to mine as well
That is a Huge, beautiful boat! I don’t know your wife’s name but you could include it in naming your boat somehow. She probably deserves it..she does have to put up with you.😂 (Just joking, you seem like a really great guy). Maybe a combination of your kids names? I used to swim at a place called Marymeade, later found out it was the guys kids..daughter Mary and son Meade, it’s been 55 years and renamed 6-7 times but that’s what I still call it. Whatever you choose..I’m sure it will be epic. Thanks as always Ben. Sorry reply is so long.
The double wide!
I've got a new boat on the way for June it is very different than your boat. I fish a lot of swamps and I'm getting a surface drive boat. Anyways great vid man safe boating out there
Nice video, love all your content!
Are you loving the foot cleet and if you are did you rivet it to the frame? I am in a similar boat as far as most trips is my family with a dog so I put a Bimini top on as per your advice and is probably the best addition yet for my wife and kids for sure pun intended haha
Still loving it. It’s mounted with bolts going through the foot bar.
You are hilarious, love watching your videos. Recommendation for your new boat name”Baloney Locker “
Most floatable rivers in Oregon are closed to trout fishing until the end of May, due to the salmon and steelhead runs. The Deschutes River is open on the lower end, but you are not allowed to fish from any floatation device. You have to be out of the boat to fish. The few rivers open to trout fishing now are not float friendly and too small with a lot of obstructions. My wife says I do NOT need a boat. Happy wife, happy life. I do have a canoe, though.
Did you buy the tornado anchor? or did they give you it? those are expensive.
Huge Raftner
How about Hugh-G?
The Blue Tornado!--
Honda Odyssey or Dodge Caravan. Nice Family MiniVan you got there! Big, slow, clogs up traffic and the boat ramp...also a bitch to get in the garage. But, Sweet Grand Canyon/Gates of Lodore rig!!!
Any thoughts on a kataraft?
I prefer a round boat.
@@HugeFlyFisherman Hopefully Knot Kneedle is a partner they are using almost one of your videos to promote their product. Master Blaster Angling Inc. Keeps popping up on my you tube commercials.
I'm trying to decide between a kataraft and a raft, I have 3 one person kats but want something for 3 people, white water primary but with the ability to fly fish out of, also looking at e motor for mild trolling. Just can't decide.
Yeah, I made that commercial for them.
Raft vs cat is a personal choice. Raft can carry more stuff.
Huge, I am bummed! I have the same Hyside as your old boat and I watch your videos because we are brothers of the boat. But now that you went all fancy..... hummm.... But if you are going with a 2 boat world, then the smaller one should be called "Chicken Little" and the monster "Big Chicken".
i think you have to go with "Beer Thirty" for the boat name