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Best whitewater rafts for private boaters, by crew size

Last updated November 11, 2026

This guide is for private boaters who are picking a river raft based on how many people they paddle with. We group the picks by small, mid-size and big crews, and we say where a raft suits day trips or carrying gear for several days.

RaftFinder does not test boats. We compared the listed specs: length, tube diameter, floor type, fabric and listed capacity. No owner feedback was supplied for these rafts, so the picks rest on specs alone. Some listings have numbers that look off, and we flag those so you can check them before you order.

1. Best for a small crew and gear

1.2mm White Water River Raft 12 feet

This 12 ft raft is the only one here with a self-bailing floor listed, which matters on whitewater. It is rated for 6 people and a 1300 lb max load, so it is the one with a clear number to plan a loaded trip around. It weighs 110 lb and packs to 43 x 29 x 17 in. Downsides: only three air chambers, no transom, and fabric denier is not listed. Skip it if you want more chambers as a backup if one chamber is damaged.

Length: 12 ft
Capacity: 6 people
Floor: Self-bailing
Weight: 110 lb

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RaftFinder spec plate1.2mm White Water River Raft 12 feet

Persons: 6
Max load: 1300 lb
Length: 12 ft
Tubes: 18 in

2. Best for a small crew wanting more chambers

Bris 12 ft whitewater raft

At 11 ft 10 in long and 6 ft wide, it is listed for 6 people. It has seven air chambers, 18.8 in tubes, a drop-stitch floor and 2000D PVC at 1.2 mm. The listed weight is 925 lb, far above the other Bris rafts here, so confirm that figure before ordering. Self-bailing is not listed for the floor and no max load is given, so it is a weaker pick for heavy multi-day loads.

Length: 11 ft 10 in
Capacity: 6 people
Floor: Drop-stitch
Weight: 925 lb

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RaftFinder spec plateBris 12 ft whitewater raft

Persons: 6
Length: 11 ft 10 in
Tubes: 18.8 in
Floor: Drop-stitch

3. Best for a mid-size crew of up to eight

BRIS 1.2mm 13ft Inflatable White Water River Raft

This 13 ft raft is rated for 8 people and sits between the 12 ft and 15 ft Bris boats. It has 18.8 in tubes, a drop-stitch floor and 2000D, 1.2 mm PVC, and it lists 128 lb. Air chamber count and max load are not listed, and self-bailing is not stated. Check those with the seller if you plan to carry camping gear.

Length: 13 ft
Capacity: 8 people
Floor: Drop-stitch
Weight: 128 lb

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RaftFinder spec plateBRIS 1.2mm 13ft Inflatable White Water River Raft

Persons: 8
Length: 13 ft
Tubes: 18.8 in
Floor: Drop-stitch

4. Best for a big crew or group trips

Bris 15 ft whitewater raft

The 15 ft raft is rated for 12 people, with 20 in tubes, which are the largest in this group, and eight air chambers. It has a drop-stitch floor and 2000D, 1.2 mm PVC, and it lists 158 lb. The listed width of 11 ft 5 in is very wide for a 15 ft raft, so confirm the dimensions. It is too much boat for a small party, and a max load is not listed.

Length: 15 ft
Capacity: 12 people
Floor: Drop-stitch
Weight: 158 lb

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RaftFinder spec plateBris 15 ft whitewater raft

Persons: 12
Length: 15 ft
Tubes: 20 in
Floor: Drop-stitch

5. Check the size before you consider it

Bris 9.8 ft whitewater raft

The name says 9.8 ft, but the listed length and width are 44.5 in by 24.4 in, and those don't describe a raft that seats a crew. It has a drop-stitch floor and 2000D, 1.2 mm PVC, but no capacity, tube diameter or air chamber count is listed. We can't match it to a crew size. Don't buy it until the seller confirms the real dimensions and capacity.

Length: 3 ft 8 in
Floor: Drop-stitch

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RaftFinder spec plateBris 9.8 ft whitewater raft

Length: 3 ft 8 in
Floor: Drop-stitch

Crew size and capacity

The two 12 ft rafts are each listed for 6 people. The 13 ft Bris is listed for 8, and the 15 ft Bris for 12. The 9.8 ft listing has no capacity listed at all.

Length and tube diameter

Tubes run from 18 in on the Inflatable Sport Boats 12 ft to 18.8 in on the Bris 12 ft and 13 ft, and 20 in on the Bris 15 ft. Bigger tubes usually go with bigger boats, and the 15 ft is the only one with 20 in tubes. Tube diameter is not listed for the 9.8 ft.

Floor type

The Inflatable Sport Boats 12 ft lists a self-bailing floor. The Bris rafts list drop-stitch floors, and self-bailing is not stated for them. For whitewater, confirm with the seller how water drains on any Bris raft.

Air chambers

The Bris 12 ft has seven chambers and the Bris 15 ft has eight. The Inflatable Sport Boats 12 ft has three. Chamber count is not listed for the Bris 13 ft or the 9.8 ft.

Fabric and weight

All the Bris rafts list 2000D PVC at 1.2 mm. The Inflatable Sport Boats raft lists heat-welded, UV resistant PVC, with denier not listed. Listed weights are 110 lb for the Inflatable Sport Boats 12 ft, 128 lb for the Bris 13 ft and 158 lb for the Bris 15 ft. The Bris 12 ft lists 925 lb, which looks out of line with the others and should be checked.

Gear and multi-day trips

Only the Inflatable Sport Boats 12 ft lists a max load, at 1300 lb. For the others, max load is not listed, so ask before planning a trip that carries camping gear.

Questions

Which raft fits a small crew?

The two 12 ft rafts are each listed for 6 people. The Inflatable Sport Boats raft lists a self-bailing floor and a 1300 lb max load. The Bris 12 ft has seven air chambers and a drop-stitch floor.

What should a crew of eight look at?

The Bris 13 ft is rated for 8 people. It has 18.8 in tubes and a drop-stitch floor. Max load and air chamber count are not listed.

Is the Bris 15 ft only for big groups?

It is rated for 12 people and has 20 in tubes and eight air chambers, so it is aimed at big crews. A small party would be paddling a much larger boat than it needs.

Why is the 9.8 ft Bris ranked last?

Its listed size of 44.5 in by 24.4 in doesn't match the 9.8 ft in the name, and no capacity is listed. Confirm the real size before ordering.

Do these rafts have owner feedback?

No owner feedback was supplied for any of them, so this guide is based on listed specs only.