Buying guide
How to choose a river raft: size, tube diameter, PVC vs Hypalon, self-bailing floors
Last updated
This guide is for first-time raft buyers who are trying to work out what size and build to look for. Crew size and gear decide length. Tube diameter, floor type and material decide how the raft behaves and how long it lasts. A self-bailing floor is the usual choice for whitewater. Start on easy water, and learn from someone who has run rivers before.
We do not test boats. We compare listed specs and what owners commonly report. For these two Bris rafts, the only detail we have is the name and length: 12 ft and 9.8 ft. No tube diameter, floor type, material, weight, capacity or owner feedback is listed, so the picks below lean on length alone and we say so.
Length
The 12 ft Bris is longer than the 9.8 ft Bris. That is the only spec we can compare. Pick the length that matches your crew and gear, not just the one that looks bigger.
Tube diameter
Not listed for either raft. Tube diameter affects stability, how dry you stay and how the raft handles under oars, so confirm it before buying.
Floor
Not listed for either raft. For whitewater, a self-bailing floor is the usual recommendation over a bucket floor, so confirm which one each raft has.
Material and weight
Material (PVC, Hypalon or other) and weight are not listed for either raft. Material affects durability, UV resistance, repair and cost, so confirm it before you commit.
Capacity and owner feedback
Capacity is not listed, and we have no owner feedback for either raft. Look for both from the seller or from owners before you decide.
Questions
Which is bigger, the Bris 12 ft or the Bris 9.8 ft?
The 12 ft model is longer than the 9.8 ft model. Other dimensions, including tube diameter, are not listed.
Do these rafts have self-bailing floors?
Floor type is not listed for either raft. Whitewater generally calls for a self-bailing floor, so confirm it before buying.
What material are the Bris rafts made of?
Material is not listed for either raft, so we cannot say whether they are PVC, Hypalon or something else.
How many people does each raft carry?
Capacity is not listed for either raft. Length is the only size detail we have, at 12 ft and 9.8 ft.