THE ULTIMATE FISHING BOAT
Designed by Blackfoot River Outfitters founder John Herzer and custom built in the USA by SOTAR, the Blackfoot Strike is the ultimate fishing boat. John has been rowing Sotar boats since 1984 – and rowed rafts a distance equivalent to twice the circumference of the earth! When it comes to understanding the performance and quality of an inflatable craft few have the experience and understanding that Herzer does.
A raft continues as his office today, spending over 150 days per year on the water. Herzer’s primary boat, the 13.5 foot Strike provides ample space between anglers and oarsperson, making tangles between anglers and “pistol-whipping” of the guide a thing of the past. The diminishing bow and stern maximize useable storage space. With less than seven feet of tube on the water and a 19″ maximum tube diameter, Strikes handle like a catboat yet provide a stable ride even in heavy water. The most notable advantage is evident in the asymmetrical design. While maintaining the desirable aerodynamics and 360 degree visibility of a “flat” profile afford, we increased stern diameter. No longer do we lose maneuverability when a 300lb angler or all your gear for a 5 day is piled in the back. This industry leading design enables the boat to be nimble enough for tight boulder choked pocket water streams, yet stable enough for significant whitewater.
The Blackfoot Strike represents 34 years of fly fishing guide experience. It drafts as shallow as a drift boat, spins quick like a kayak, affords the profile of a poling skiff, rides as stable as a car, and does it all as quiet as trout fins through water! Want to catch more fish? Better step up to the SOTAR Blackfoot Strike. ALL Blackfoot Strikes come standard with FOUR air chambers in the main outside tube and include a 10 year warranty. Other standard features include welded I beam floor, standard 10 outside d-rings and 6 carry handles, patch kit and boat bag. Top chafe, thwarts, extra D-rings and other options are available on request.
*Pricing includes raft, chafe, and shipping to Missoula.
Sotar Strike configuration - 13'6" model:
*Overall length end to end 13'6"
*Outside width 72"
*Interior width 34" (floor is 36")
*Tube diameter - 19" main tubes diminishing to 14" in bow, 16" in stern
*Weight -a scant 97 pounds!
The 13'6" Strike standard features include:
*10 year warranty
*Four air chambers around the main outside tube
* Self bailing welded I-beam inflated floor
* 4 standard outside D-rings
* 6 carry handles/D-rings
* Patch kit and boat bag.
12'6" Model:
The 12’6″ configuration is designed to be a lighter weight option for relatively smaller streams and/or when the primary use is for two occupants. However, the 12'6" can certainly handle 3 occupants as it is rated a 2-3 person raft and for 1320 pounds. This model is super sporty; immediately coming to a halt with just a couple strokes, efficiently crawling laterally cross-current, and is ridiculously nimble in tight boulder choked rivers. Want to get off the beaten path? The 12'6" Strike is light enough to drag over log jams and around back channel choking deadfalls. Smaller streams are instantly in your wheelhouse with its smaller footprint, narrow beam and shallow draft. The 12'6" Blackfoot Strike remains our top seller for couples looking for a lightweight yet stable alternative to traditional boat configurations and for deadly serious anglers yearning for a dramatic expansion of floating alternatives. Check out versions of our MT Raft Frame Premier frame or NRS Custom Strike Frame to round out your package.
14'6" Model:
As the heavy lifter of the Blackfoot Strike lineup, the 14'6" is perfectly suited for families and individuals desiring a bit more space and carrying capacity. This exceptional crossover boat performs equally well as a 3 person fishing raft, a family fun whitewater craft, or multi day freighter. Surprisingly fleet, even heavily loaded, this model affords multiple uses with only slight frame manipulation. With a standard fishing frame anglers feel even more stable in bigger water. Pop off the front seat bar and the foam bench seat, voila' the family is fun ready for day trips down a favorite river. Swap that bench out with an additional foam topped dry box and instantly you're prepared to load up for an extended multi day excursion. The 14'6" Strike remains our number one seller for both families and serious anglers who primarily expect more folks in the boat or river camp riverside. Multiple frame variations of our MT Raft Frame Premier frame or NRS Custom Strike Frame are available in order to customize your 14'6" Blackfoot Strike into the perfect boat for your uses.
