Why Choose Go Light?
Go Light Outdoors is your source for Quality Lightweight Whitewater Equipment. We specialize in lightweight custom catarafts and work closely with some of the top manufacturers in the USA to provide top-quality custom equipment using proven designs and materials. As a dealer for both Jack’s Plastic Welding and Sotar we can order their full line of inflatable boats, sleeping pads, and waterproof bags. We use and sell frames by Whitewater Machine Works. We also provide custom mesh and codura or PVC travel/storage bags from Summit. Neil and his wife Lacey have also written a number of books that you may find interesting.
| Top of Page |
Boats
Our specialty is “International Travel” cataraft packages featuring lightweight boats from Jack’s Plastic Welding. These versatile cataraft packages are light and compact and we have taken them as baggage on international flights to South America 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, go to the International Travel Page. We also offer custom “Go Light” boats from Sotar that weigh a bit more, but are still suitable for travel. Neil can help you put together a boat/frame package that meets your needs. Contact Neil to order your new lightweight boat, frame, and other whitewater gear!
Not Going to Travel with your boat? Both our “International Travel” cataraft packages and custom “Go Light” catarafts work great here in the USA. These top quality catarafts are light and compact making them easy to transport in smaller cars, on roof racks, or on trailers. Contact Neil today to discuss which of our catarafts and versatile, light weight frames will work best for you!
| Top of Page |
Jack’s Plastic Welding Catarafts and Rafts
At Go Light Outdoors, we concentrate on the lightweight cats, but can order almost anything that Jack’s Plastic Welding makes, including the frameless Culebra, expedition cats, self-bailing rafts, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boards – and of course the famous Paco Pads for sleeping comfort and their superb drybags. Check out the catarafts 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”
The Traveler with its 19-inch diameter tubes is so versatile and fun. At just under 30 pounds for the set, the Traveler is one of the lightest, high quality, catarafts on the market. Set them up with one of our lightweight rowing frames and you 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 cat, just in a larger size. The 21-inch diameter tubes give the boat more maneuverability, stability, and cargo capacity. At around 35 pounds for the set, they are one of the lightest mid-size cats out there. This boat can easily 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 Jack’s Plastic Welding. We 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!
“Big Wave 2”
A larger version of the Big Wave designed to be the ultimate gear hauler in a lightweight package. We call it the “Big Wave 2.” At 15 foot by 24 inch diameter with 10 inches of kick and a moderate waterline, this high-kick design carries a lot of weight while still being nimble on the water. This is one of the lightest gear haulers out there – at under 60 pounds for the set. We have a customer that loads it up with 1200 pounds of people and gear and loves the way it handles!
| Top of Page |
Sotar Catarafts and Rafts
At Go Light Outdoors, we concentrate on the lightweight cats, but can order almost anything that Sotar makes, including the ST, SL, Legend, and Coho cats, inflatable kayaks, and the full line of self-bailing rafts, including the new Rogue series. Check out the catarafts being custom made for Go Light Outdoors below. Contact us if you would like a particular model or size and we can order it from Sotar for you.
Custom “Go Light” Catarafts
Do you love Sotar boats (many do!) but wish they were a bit lighter while still retaining the durability of SOTAR’s exclusively developed heavy duty, UV and abrasion resistant fabric? We have a few tricks in the design process that can shave a few pounds off the finished product. The “Go Light” series of catarafts incorporates a number of these design features with a special lighter fabric that retains the strength of their regular raft material with a slightly lighter coating of urethane. This material is specially formulated to slide over rocks, to make low-water rivers and creeking a breeze. Together, Sotar and Go Light produce the Go Light Legend cataraft that is one of the lightest, toughest craft out there. Contact Neil today to discuss design options to save weight and order your new Sotar/Go Light cataraft and pair it with one of our extremely versatile and light weight frames! Note: these boats are only available in lime green for 2025, but we can do different color accents on your custom Go Light cataraft!
“Go Light – 11”
The Go Light – 11 combines the proven and recognizable Legend design with a lighter Urethane/Rezcoat fabric and weight-saving design features and options. Depending on the options, we can probably shave at least 10 pounds off of the standard 11-foot Legend weight while still allowing this boat to do what the Legend cats do best. Set them up with one of our lightweight rowing frames and you have a complete rowing package that can be carried by one person! Photo of a standard Legend from Sotar.com
“Go Light 12.5”
The Go Light – 12.5 is the same design as the standard 12’8″ Legend, but with a bit smaller diameter. The 21-inch diameter tubes give the boat provide an ideal mix of fun, stability, and cargo capacity for the average boater, while advanced boaters can still tackle the gnar! The lighter fabric and design options allow us to get the weight down to around 40 pounds, making this one of the lightest high-performance urethane cats out there. This boat can easily carry a passenger or all of the gear you would need for a week long trip. Photo of a standard Legend from Sotar.com
| Top of Page |
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 Go Light Day Frame by Whitewater Machine Works
| Top of Page |
Books
Neil and Lacey explored the rivers in northern Mexico for 5 years before Neil wrote the definitive guidebook to rivers in this region. Lacey offers her cookbooks utilizing non-perishable ingredients on her “No Coolers” website.
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! Her current books are available for order at the No Coolers website and from Amazon.
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
Vegetarian Camp Without Coolers
Vegetarian Camp Without Coolers was written for people who paddle, row, hike, sail, horse pack, camp, RV, and pursue all manner of outdoor activities while maintaining a plant-based diet. Lacey Anderson shows readers how to plan, pack and cook great camp meals using food items that don’t require refrigeration. Are you a vegetarian who is tired of hauling heavy coolers and worrying about running out of ice, but hate the thought of not eating well on your outdoor adventures? Are you a meat eater who needs some help feeding your vegetarian friends? If so, this cookbook has the solution for you – lightweight and nutritious plant-based meals that require no refrigeration, no coolers, no ice. Inside you will find an 18-day meal plan including breakfast, lunch, appetizer, cocktail, main course, side dish, and dessert for each day.
Click on the cover image or here to order and download
| Top of Page |