Tips and Technique

Finding Your All-Purpose Size

This is will determine what craft is best sized to fit you for both general-purpose boating and technical whitewater, without scrunching you up or having excess space, like an overlarge shoe.

Choosing a right size

The length and bulk of your lower body determines proper fit in an Alpacka raft.  Although the sizes below work for most people, you may want to move up in sizes if you have a very long inseam.  The Fjord Explorer, our rowboat, accommodates all size rowers or can used like an ordinary open boat (in it's "Unrigged" configuration) for very tall boaters or those carrying large amounts of cargo.

At right, Thor is 6' tall with a 34" inseam, pictured in a Yukon Yak (our most popular recreational boat) and an Alpaca (our smallest boat). Most people who are shorter than 5'8" will probably be most satisfied with an Alpaca. Most paddlers between 5'8" and 6' will probably be happiest with a Yukon Yak. Thor is also picutured in the Denali Llama, which is best for those that have a long inseam or want the option of putting two people in a boat. The Fjord Explorer, or rowboat, can also be used like an ordinary open boat, and provides maximum space and flotation for heavy loads or very tall boaters. 

If you're of average proportions, the given heights correspond to your likely inseam ranges.  If you have questions on your inseam, stop into a fine clothing store, and simply ask the salesperson if they can help you accurately determine it.

Your all-purpose size is the best general-purpose and whitewater paddling size for a typical boater doing most activities.  90% of our boaters opt for their "All-Purpose Size."

When it arrives, try it out on the Living Room Floor

When your boat arrives, inflate it on the living room floor, jump in, and make sure it feels right.  In fact, we always suggest inflating & inspecting your boat, then taking it on its first trip in protected, calm water. If your knees are hitting your chin, we'll know something isn't right.  If you find it's not the right size, send it in with a note and we can exchange it - just don't use it in rough or damaging situations until you've decided it's the boat for you.  That means sending it back clean, dry, and undamaged. 

Please contact us if you're confused about the right boat to get. We're happy to assist you in choosing the right boat for your particular application, whether it's floating rivers with your dog and kids or crossing continents. The last thing we want is for you to buy a boat you're unhappy with.

The Alpacka Fleet

Specialty Sizing

Where we really work with boaters to "customize" their fit is the primary function of the boat is specialized, and suggests a different size.

Examples of Specialty Sizing Needs:

This Bathtube is TOO SMALL!

• "I'd like space for my tackle box.  I'm going to be fishing out of it... in fact, I'd like to cast from the boat too."  Fjord Explorer, or an oversize boat for your height, with an elevated seat to help counter "bow rise" from the extra length.
• "It'll be me and the dog, on calm water."  Big dog?  "Oh yeah."  Size up, by one or two.
• "I'm 6'4" or taller, and I love whitewater."  Suggestion: Custom extension of a Llama.
• "I'm hunting big game: elk, moose, musk ox..."  Unrigged Explorer or Denali Llama.  Your tradeoff is pack weight vs. cargo capacity.
• "I'm hunting Dall sheep... and I'm going a long way in."  Alpaca.  Maybe a Scout if you're only doing crossings with it, not floating out - and in that case, a Scout and some home-made ping-pong hand paddles will save you around 3 lbs.

General Purpose Boating, Hiking Packs, & Whitewater: For general-purpose boating, carrying single-person backpacks, whitewater, and other all-round boat uses, we recommend using the recommend size, in the chart above.  This will give you a good fit, agile handling, and great versatility.  A good, snug fit gives your a boat a dynamic frame: your body.

For Light & Fast Travel: Consider "Shifting Down," and the Scout Boat.  If weight and bulk are a great concern, you can 'scrunch' into the next-size down, and still get decent performance.  Where ounces matter, this might be worth it.  If your determined to go super-light, and are willing to give up whitewater function and the expeditionary features features of our main-line boats, we suggest looking at the Scout.

For Bulky / Heavy Cargo (70 lbs. +) or Extra Internal Space: Consider "Shifting Up."  A well-fitted boat will easily carry a heavy pack and equipment, but if you're really  pulling a lot of gear - or just want internal workspace - consider sizing up.  How many sizes you go above your optimal all-purpose boating size is a function of how much you're wiling to give up technical handling for cargo volume.  If you're more focused on lake floats, class II, and fishing or hunting, a Llama can be an extremely serviceable utility boat for an "Alpaca-sized" boater with space for tackle or other gear in front of your feet.  As a general rule, one size "up" will feel a little big and slushy but still do fine, and two sizes up will sacrifice considerably more technical performance.  Alpacka Tester Observation: "I'm an Alpaca-size guy, but regularly run Yak prototypes in C-III & IV whitewater.  They do fine for me, and I often forget I'm in the 'wrong size boat'... but then I get back into an Alpaca, and I feel like I've gone from boots to running shoes."

The length and bulk of your lower body, not your actual height, is what determines proper fit in an Alpacka raft. 

For Big Boaters: Consider Flotation, and your "Boat Weight" (with gear) vs. dry weight. If you're very large (over 250 lbs.) consider a Fjord Explorer, even if your height is shorter than what's suggested. The Explorer has larger tubes, providing much more flotation than the other boats. In rowing arrangement, the Explorer accommodates any height comfortably.

And Finally, for 2 People, consider the Explorer or Double Duck.  You can do quick ferries with multiple people in our smaller boats, but for long periods on the water, we recommend our two big hulls, the Explorer or the Double Duck.