springer wrote:
I've been saving for a raft for the last few years and I am now ready
to purchase one. I've used SOTAR rafts in the past, and have been
pleased with them. I am leaning towards a SOTAR, but if cost weren't
a consideration what raft would you buy? Many people have been
steering me towards AIRE, but I am concerned that with their bladder
system, that AIRE boats must be stored inflated (in the winter).
Which boat would you buy if you had about 5k to throw around.

What will be using it for?

The AIRE rafts are heavier in the river (due to water sticking between
the bladder and cover) and heavier during a portage, which makes them
unsuitable for low-flow/rocky portage-fest rivers. However this also
makes them more stable in big water.

If you are planning to do mostly silty Colorado-plateau rivers, I would
urge you to get a hypalon boat, such as Hyside, instead. The hypalon
rafts are lower performance, but roll up smaller. And let's face it:
all rafts are low performance, so does it really matter.