Rafting Range

A French whitewater brand since 1988, Aquadesign designs a full range of inflatable rafts, from the family mini raft to the competition raft. Tough PVC, long-lasting Hypalon, high-pressure Dropstitch floor or cataraft: every hull is built for whitewater and the intensive use of clubs, outfitters and rental bases, as well as for recreational river descents. Choose your raft below, or read our buying guide further down.

How to choose an inflatable raft

A raft is not a beach dinghy: it is a whitewater craft whose size, material, construction and floor type govern its safety, handling and lifespan. Whether you are equipping a family for a leisure descent or a rafting base with a full-season fleet, a few technical benchmarks help you buy right.

How many people and what size for your river

Capacity is read first in the length of the hull. The shorter a raft, the livelier and easier it is to spin on a narrow, technical river; the longer it is, the more volume, stability and carrying capacity it offers. On a tight, winding gorge a short raft threads the turns and drops without hanging up; on a wide, powerful river or a commercial descent, a large raft delivers the buoyancy and safety that big flows demand.

4 to 6 paddlers: mini rafts for narrow rivers, small groups, learning and technical runs.
8 paddlers: the most common all-round format at rafting bases and for guided rental.
10 to 12 paddlers: large groups, sustained flows, intensive turnover.

Always count the guide in your crew and keep a margin: an overloaded raft sits low, loses responsiveness and tires the team. On difficulty, class I to II runs suit rental and free practice, while class III and IV call for guided descents led by a qualified professional.

PVC or Hypalon: choosing the material

A raft's fabric combines a load-bearing weave — often a high-tenacity polyester of 1500 to 2000 denier — with a coating that provides waterproofing and resistance. Two families dominate whitewater:

PVC, a thermoplastic: tough, light, easy to repair and offering an excellent strength-to-price ratio. Its panels are thermo-welded (the materials are fused) rather than glued, producing watertight, durable seams. It is the logical choice for regular use on a controlled budget, and it rewards careful UV protection.
Hypalon (CSM), a synthetic rubber: heavier and pricier, but clearly superior against UV, abrasion and hydrocarbons. Well maintained, a Hypalon tube commonly exceeds 15 to 25 years of service. It is the material of professionals exposed to the sun all season and to intensive use.

In short: quality PVC targets around a decade of hard use on a contained budget; Hypalon targets maximum longevity and the lowest yearly cost for an operator.

Construction: seams, valves and attachment points

Longevity depends as much on construction as on fabric. Thermo-welded seams reinforced with overlap tape resist delamination over time where simple glue eventually fails. High-flow valves should be serviceable and inflate or deflate effortlessly. D-rings (stainless or aluminium tie-down points) and thwarts — the cross tubes that stiffen the hull and give paddlers something to brace against — govern how the crew holds position and how gear is secured. A good raft is broken down, repaired and re-inflated hundreds of times without weakening.

Self-bailing or closed floor

A self-bailing floor, perforated, drains shipped water on its own through the rapids: it is the standard for sustained whitewater and essential as soon as it gets rough. A Dropstitch floor, inflated to high pressure, adds rigidity and improves tracking and glide. A classic closed floor still suits calmer descents and loaded multi-day trips.

Raft or cataraft: what's the difference?

The classic raft is a closed hull with perimeter tubes and a floor: versatile and reassuring, it loads simply, carries groups, children and gear, and rigs quickly on the bank. The cataraft is made of two tubes joined by a frame: lighter, with minimal water contact, highly manoeuvrable, instantly self-bailing and less affected by wind, it excels at agility and load carrying. For a versatile fleet and passenger transport the raft wins; for performance and expedition rigging the cataraft is the ideal complement.

Our raft range

Aquadesign develops several families to cover every use, from guided leisure to competition:

Avanti rafts: the versatile PVC range, from the Avanti 290 mini raft (4 people) to the large Avanti 470 and 540 (11 to 12 people), for clubs, outfitters and leisure.
Pulse rafts: high-pressure Dropstitch floor (Pulse 415 and 470) for extra rigidity, tracking and performance.
Raptor rafts and Falcon rafts: long-life Hypalon construction (Raptor 340 to 455, Falcon 420) for intensive professional use.
Competition rafts: the Race WRF, built for racing and performance.
Catarafts: the El Reloy 14' and 15', two tubes and a frame for agility and load carrying.

Complete your rig with our raft paddles, buoyancy vests, whitewater helmets, high-volume pumps and our raft safety equipment.

Rafting for clubs, bases and rental fleets

An operator does not buy a raft like a private paddler: what counts is the cost over the whole life of the boat and its availability in peak season. Our Hypalon hulls absorb intensive rotations, UV exposure and repeated handling; our PVC ranges deliver an excellent toughness-to-budget ratio for equipping a fleet. All benefit from the availability of spare parts and a repair and after-sales workshop in France, at Oraison (04), to extend the life of your equipment rather than replace it. We offer pricing tailored to clubs, outfitters, rafting bases and public bodies and advise on fleet sizing.

Care, longevity and repairability

A well-kept raft lasts. After every outing, rinse with fresh water to remove abrasive sand and silt, then dry it completely inside and out before storage. Store it rolled or partly inflated, out of the sun, in a dry, frost-free space. UV protection is the number-one habit, especially on PVC: a protectant applied regularly slows the fabric's ageing. Minor damage is handled with the repair kit matched to the material; for heavier work, our after-sales workshop repairs and services boats. A cared-for raft means extra seasons on the water and preserved value.

Why choose Aquadesign

A French brand and family business, Aquadesign is one of the pioneers of the inflatable raft in Europe. A whitewater and inflatables specialist since 1988, we design our rafts in France and have them manufactured in our own factories, to a demanding specification: full command of the materials (PVC, Hypalon, dropstitch), compliance and rigging. All our boats are CE approved.

That control over the whole chain carries through to service: in Oraison (04) we run genuine repair workshops and a spare-parts stock that make the difference in professional use. Whether you buy through one of our partner resellers or directly, you get the same brand know-how and workshop support.

The best proof of our expertise: Aquadesign is an official supplier to the World Rafting Federation (WRF). International rafting competitions and world cups are raced on French-designed Aquadesign rafts.

Frequently asked questions about rafts

How many people can a raft hold?

Depending on length, from 4 to 12 people. Our Avanti 290 and 340 mini rafts suit small groups; the Avanti 445, 470 and 540 carry 10 to 12 paddlers. Remember to count the guide in your crew and avoid overloading the boat, which costs you responsiveness.

Should I choose a PVC or Hypalon raft?

PVC, thermoplastic and thermo-welded, offers toughness and easy repair on a controlled budget, for around a decade of hard use. Hypalon, more resistant to UV, abrasion and hydrocarbons, is recommended for intensive or professional use and commonly exceeds 15 to 25 years. Our Raptor and Falcon ranges are Hypalon.

What is the difference between a raft and a cataraft?

The raft is a closed hull with a floor, versatile and stable for groups, simple to load and rig. The cataraft is two tubes on a frame: lighter, more manoeuvrable, self-bailing and less affected by wind, ideal for agility, performance and gear carrying.

How do I choose the right raft size for my river?

On a narrow, technical river, favour a short, manoeuvrable raft. On sustained whitewater and for large groups, a longer self-bailing raft brings stability and safety. Flow, width, sinuosity and the class of the rapids (I to IV) guide the choice, as does your real number of crew.

How long does a raft last and how do I maintain it?

A well-kept Hypalon raft can reach 20 to 25 years, a quality PVC around a decade. Rinse with fresh water after each outing, dry fully before storage, keep it out of the sun, apply a UV protectant and use the repair kit matched to the material. Spare parts and our after-sales workshop extend its life.

Do you make custom rafts?

Yes. Because we control the entire manufacturing chain, we can build custom boats: special equipment, specific fittings or bespoke colours. For a custom project, send your request directly to our sales department, who will work it through with you.

Do you offer pricing for clubs and rental operators?

Yes. As a French specialist brand, we support clubs, rafting bases, outfitters and public bodies with tailored pricing, fleet-sizing advice and parts and after-sales follow-up from Oraison (04). Contact us for a fleet quote.

Rental company, base, club, or community?