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Elk,

I hate to do this to a new person on the forum, but I think you need to re-think your choice of boat.  Although AIRE puts the load capacity of the Ocelot (the 14-foot cat you mentioned) at 980 lbs, you're going to find that a load that heavy will make the boat a total pig on the water.

The MINIMUM length for a cat that I'd recommend is the 16-foot Jaguarundi for a solo hunter after moose.  For two hunters, go with the Leopard.

Here's the numbers:

Moose=500 lbs. of bagged meat, antlers and cape
Hunter=200 lbs. average.
Food=60 lbs. +/-
Gear=100 lbs. minimum
Frame and rigging=70 lbs. minimum
Accessories; repair kit, pumps, dry bags, etc.= 30 lbs. +/-

It adds up fast.  Don't try an Alaska hunt with a max load on your cat; you'll be very sorry if you do.  Water levels are typically at their shallowest during moose season, and though that's when our rains can start, you cannot count on that to float you through.  Go the conservative route and use enough boat!

FRAMES

I would strongly recommend the frames built by Alaska Raft and Kayak, right here in Anchorage.  They use the same LoPro fittings used on the Northwest River Supplies cat frames, but ARK's frames are built specifically for Alaska conditions.  They can fit yours with a transom for your outboard with no problem at all.  Unless you have access to an aluminum pipe bender and have the ability to do precision drilling to ensure your fittings are installed exactly at the correct angles, you're better off just buying one of their setups.  Here's their website:

http://www.alaskaraftandkayak.com

Sorry if this sounds like a sour note, but I have a number of years of experience with this, including guiding hunters on float hunts, and I think the Ocelot would be a huge mistake.

Best Regards, and good luck on your hunt!

-Mike

Message Thread:

• Cat photos elknut Dec 12 2005
  • Cataraft floats GunsmithRob Dec 12 2005
    • Cat's Out Of the Bag Phil Dec 14 2005
      • p.s. - elknut Phil Dec 14 2005
    • Nothing like a CAT lover elknut Dec 13 2005
      • photos GunsmithRob Dec 13 2005
  • Cataraft story/ advice Wes Walker Dec 12 2005
  • Cold Water Michael Strahan Dec 12 2005
    • Good Swimmer elknut Dec 12 2005
      • Cat questions AK Troutbum Dec 12 2005
      • Frame clarification Michael Strahan Dec 12 2005
        • Frame clarification AK Troutbum Dec 12 2005
        • book GunsmithRob Dec 12 2005
          • book Michael Strahan Dec 12 2005
            • Your book Texkan Dec 13 2005
              • Questions on my book- Michael Strahan Dec 13 2005