Adventure Racing is all about speed and efficiency. On the one hand, the boat has to be light enough to not slow you down when you are carrying it on overland stages. On the other hand, any extra speed that you can maintain on the water is critical. The first generation Gnu (introduced in 2012) and the longer second generation Gnu (introduced in 2017) were extremely light for a full two person packraft, but the kneeling position was challenging for extended paddling stages especially when following long stages of running or biking.
Enter the 2019 Gnu, which features the same hull shape as the Oryx canoe but utilizes a long, inflated center seat to provide a keel and allow both paddlers to sit with their legs extended and feet below the hips. This is the optimal position for maintaining power and efficiency over long distances with a kayak paddle. The higher volume hull also produces less draft, which further increases paddling efficiency. The top speed of the Gnu is not noticeably faster than the prior versions, but it is much easier to maintain over distance which can dramatically reduce stage times.
While the Gnu is optimized for most adventure racing courses, the Forager is a better option for courses that are mostly whitewater. If its a course with the water section being shorter and you’re looking to cut some weight the Explorer 42 can be a good option.
Sizing and Specifications |
|
| Exterior Length | 129in | 328cm |
| Exterior Width | 40in | 102cm |
| Interior Length | 74in | 188cm |
| Stern Interior Width | 14n | 36cm |
| Bow Interior Width | 12in | 30cm |
| Weight w/o Cargo Fly* | 10.6lb | 4.82kg |
| Weight with Cargo Fly* | 10.9lb | 4.93kg |
| Packed Size** | 18×8.5in | 46x22cm |
| Max Capacity*** | 800lb | 363kg |
When in Doubt, Contact Us About Availability
Because of the variability in transit days our business model creates unique challenges for booking software and makes it difficult to display a 100% accurate availability calendar. If the raft you want isn’t available for your desired dates, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly as it may be an error in our system. In many cases we can also ship the day after you book and override the default 6 day transit buffer. We highly recommend contacting us directly for groups of 4 or more as well. Contact info: 406-272-6468 backcountrypackrafts@gmail.com
Shipping
Shipping is auto calculated at check-out. Round trip shipping is $40/1 raft, $50/2 rafts, $60/ 3 rafts and $70/4 rafts for rafts shipped in Montana. Rafts shipped outside of Montana start at $50/1 raft and go up from there depending on the shipping time and number of rafts. If shipping is incorrect at checkout, your card will be refunded/charged accordingly. Please see shipping rate chart in FAQ for more info.
