Why Choose Go Light?
Feedback from one of our customers: “Neil, this is why I use you. For the second time you have made it up to me and made sure to keep me happy.”
Go Light Outdoors is your source for Quality Lightweight Whitewater Equipment. We specialize in lightweight custom cataraft packages, but can order the full line of Rafts, Catarafts, Inflatable Kayaks, Paddle Cats, SUPs, Sleeping Pads, and Waterproof Bags from Jack’s Plastic Welding as well as frames by Whitewater Machine Works and other top name manufacturers. We also can provide standard and custom mesh and travel/storage bags from Summit and oars by Cataract. Neil can help you put together a boat/frame package that meets your needs. Contact Neil to order your new boat, frame, drybag, or other whitewater gear!
Take Your Own Boat When You Travel!
Our specialty is “International Travel” cataraft packages featuring lightweight boats from Jack’s Plastic Welding. These versatile cataraft/frame/oar packages are light and compact and we have had no problems taking them as baggage on international flights from the USA. One bag with the boat, seat, and oar blades and another for the frame and oar shafts. Once at your destination, just assemble and enjoy the water. For more information on our “International Travel” packages, click here to go to the International Travel Page.
Jack’s Plastic Welding Catarafts and Rafts
The possibilities are endless for inflatable boat design. JPW has narrowed it down to a few categories. At Go Light Outdoors, we concentrate on the lightweight cats, but can order almost anything they make, including the frameless Culebra, expedition cats, self-bailing rafts and Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boards. Check out the models being custom made for Go Light Outdoors below. Contact us if you would like a different model or size and we can order it from JPW for you. Our goal is to get you the equipment you want at the best possible price.
Custom Catarafts
“Traveler – 12”
These cats with 19-inch diameter tubes are so versatile and fun. At just 30 pounds for the set, they are some of the lightest high quality catarafts on the market. Set them up with one of our lightweight rowing frames and you can have a complete rowing package that can be carried by one person! Our basic “International Travel” cats use these lightweight tubes.
“Explorer – 13”
The Explorer Cat is the same design and materials as the Traveler – 12 cat, just in a larger size. The larger 21-inch diameter tubes give the boat more maneuverability, stability, and cargo capacity. At just over 35 pounds for the set, they are one of the lightest expedition cats out there. This boat can carry a passenger or all of the gear you would need for a week long trip.
“Big Wave”
My latest cataraft design, patterned and built by Jacks Plastic Welding. I call it the “Big Wave.” This is the lightest of the new generation of catarafts with moderate rocker and a high kick – just under 40 pounds for the set. At 13 foot by 22 inch diameter with 10 inches of kick and a short waterline, this high-kick design is sure to be fun on the river. Paired with one of our lightweight breakdown frames and super light carbon fiber oars, this is the ultimate travel cat; serious performance at around 100 pounds!
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Sleeping Pads and Waterproof Bags
Paco Pads for Sleeping
Sure Paco Pads are a little more expensive that others, but they have the best track record of any pad on the market. The customers who use them put them through every extreme, from arctic cold, to searing desert heat. Add up longevity toughness and comfort, and it equals value. It is a hard combination to beat. made in the USA, since 1983! Each Paco Pad has a water tight air valve that will allow you to roll it up and keep the air from getting inside. When you want to go to bed, simply pop the buckles to release the straps, and open the valve. The Pad will inflate itself.
Waterproof Bags
We think that the majority of the western river outfitters are using JPW bags. Mainly because of the longevity they have shown. Companies like Moki Mac, Holiday River Exp, Sheri Griffith Exp, in Utah. Western River Exp, Wilderness River Exp, Diamond River Exp, Azra, and Canyon Explorations in the Grand Canyon, many Middle Fork Companies in Idaho, Custom River tours on the Selway, Arta, and Oars/ Dories in Northern Idaho, and the Snake. The list goes on. The polyethylene stiffener used along with a welded webbing around the top make the most effective seal without the hassle involved with other dry bag closure types like zip locks or zippers.
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High Performance Cataraft and Raft Frames
At Go Light Outdoors, we believe that Whitewater Machine Works makes some of the best cat and raft frames on the water as well as some innovative frame parts to improve your NRS frame. The frame designs are lightweight, innovative, and strong. Features such as adjustable oar towers (that can be laid down for stacking), full length or partial scout rails, and an adjustable seat bar/yoke, all in a frame that fully breaks down for travel and transport make them hard to beat. The light weight of the cat day frames (around 30 pounds) is also a plus. Have a small raft (like an AIRE Puma or Hyside Mini-me) or a paddle cat that you want to row? Check out these super light frames for small rafts and paddle cats! Although there are “standard” sizes, each frame is custom built one at a time and the adjustable fittings make custom sizing on lengths easy. Between Whitewater Machine Works and Go light Outdoors, we have years of combined experience in designing, building, and testing frames. Neil loves talking frames with customers to ensure you get the exact frame to meet your specific needs. And you can always contact Guy directly.
Custom Whitewater Machine Works Day Frame With Foward-kick, Single Towers and Pro-Loks Oarlocks
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Oars
Cataract Oars
Cataract® Oars have a flex like wood oars at a fraction of the weight. The results are the best drift boat oars and the best rafting oars hands down. Don’t let the lighter composite material steer you wrong, these are serious whitewater oars with unrivaled power transfer and near indestructible construction.
SGG
The SGG™ is the most popular oar among river guides. True performance oars with all the flex of wood oars at a fraction of the weight. They boast twice the breaking strength of aluminum with significantly less maintenance than wood oars. The engineers designed the SGG™ to deliver the best in whitewater rafting performance and give the best oar experience to the unrelenting river goer. This oar shaft is compatible with the Cataract™, Magnum™, Cutthroat™ and Streamlite™ blades. Available in Black, Blue, Green, Mocha, Red, Yellow, and White.
X-Wound
Grab an X Wound™ Cataract® Oar and give your muscles big relief. X Wound™ Oars help avoid muscle fatigue by shaving off a ½ pound of weight. Consequently, your energy lasts longer giving you more time on the river. More energy for casting your line, more intensity in navigating gnarly drops. Simply put, more stamina for doing what you love. It has an all carbon layer on the outside, therefore it is only available in black. It has the same flex as the SGG shaft and is the ultimate upgrade for those looking to reduce fatigue on those long stretches of river. This oar shaft is compatible with the Cataract™, Magnum™, Cutthroat™ and Streamlite™ blades.
StreamLite
Ultra-responsive with optimal flex, these oars will have you navigating the river like a steelhead. These are some serious drift boat oars that not only have the unrivaled power transfer and near indestructible construction of all Cataract Oars, but they do it in a weight class unmatched by other oars. Feel what it’s like to be smoke rolling over the water.This oar shaft is compatible with the Cataract™, Magnum™, Cutthroat™ and Streamlite™ blades.
Carbon Fiber Oars
Want the lightest oars and blades out there? Go carbon fiber. There are several options available from Edge and Sawyer. Here at Go Light Outdoors, we love the carbon fiber oars and blades because they are so light and strong. They are an option in our “International Travel” cataraft packages.
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Books from Go Light Outdoors
Floater’s Guide to the Rivers of the Yaqui Watershed
This book is an attempt to consolidate what little information there is on boating the rivers of the Yaqui drainage in northern Mexico so that other adventurous boaters can experience the thrill of exploration but still have some idea of what they are getting into. It includes photos, maps, river descriptions, a mile by mile guide, and adventure stories from people who have been there. NOTE: Only the print versions contain the river maps. More detailed maps are available in a separate Map Book to accompany the printed or electronic guidebook.
Click on the cover image or here to order and download
Detailed Map Book to Accompany the Floaters Guide
This Detailed Map Book is meant to accompany the written portion of the Floater’s Guide and provide greater detail based on the Garmin TOPO Mexico 1:50,000 scale topographic maps customized to each river using Garmin BaseCamp. These maps include the access points, camps, river mileage, water sources, hikes, and points of interest included in the mile by mile description in the original Floater’s Guide. Together, these two volumes provide the information and mapping resources needed to navigate the rivers of the Yaqui Watershed covered in the Floater’s Guide.
Click on the cover image or here to order and download
Books from No Coolers
The No Coolers Website is your source for all things Food Related. Food planning and preparation is the biggest challenge for any group organizing an extended duration trip. Arranging food for a group can be extremely time consuming. It requires menu planning, food purchasing, sorting, and repackaging. This can entail hours and hours of preparation before the trip. There is an easy solution! Purchase one of Lacey’s affordable books and learn how to run your trip like a PRO. Save time and money! These older editions and her current books are available for order at the No Coolers website.
Camp Without Coolers or Stoves (E-book or Print)
Camp cooking expert Lacey Anderson, author of Camp Cooking WITHOUT Coolers II, presents her latest book on camp cooking – without the cooking! Packed with over 40 recipes, Camp Without Coolers or Stoves contains a Five-day meal plan for breakfast, lunch, appetizers, dinner, and dessert with Absolutely No Cooking. With this collection of recipes, you too can eat well in camp without using a stove, fuel, charcoal, or other heat source! You don’t need a Dutch oven, frying pan or cooking pots; you don’t even have to boil water. Because no fuels are used for cooking, it is Eco-Friendly too.
Click on the cover image or here to order and download
Camp Cooking WITHOUT Coolers II (Second Printing)
Camp Cooking WITHOUT Coolers II is much more than an outdoor cookbook. Inside, you will find a 7-day meal plan including breakfast, lunch, appetizer, dinner, and dessert for each day. Other subjects covered are camp kitchen organization and packing tips. You will also find a camp kitchen equipment list. Readers will also learn the latest techniques to keep the environment and themselves healthy while enjoying the great outdoors. The book also contains exciting whitewater river tales to entertain readers.
Click on the cover image or here to order and download
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