The O.R.E. Fleet
O.R.E. trips employ a wide range of sporty, comfortable, professional grade rafts. Our guests can choose a guided oar raft, a row-your-own cataraft, a paddle raft, an inflatable kayak, or a combination of these boats.
All O.R.E. trips are accompanied by professional guides. A guide is present in each boat, except as noted below.
Guided Oar Rafts
Guided
oar rafts are standard on all our multi-day trips and available by request on
day trips. They’re the boat to choose if comfort, safety, relaxation, and
sightseeing are your primary interests. (1 to 5 guests plus
guide per oar raft; your guide does all the rowing.)
Row-your-own Cataraft
"Row-your-own" catarafts are small and lively. They’re the boat to choose if you’re looking for excitement, freedom and a sense of accomplishment combined with a high degree of comfort. A rental fee applies to all row-your-own catarafts: see our rental gear page for details. (1 to 3 guests per cataraft. O.R.E. guides provide instruction and supervision but are not present in the boat with you.)
Prior rafting experience is highly recommended (i.e. in
paddle rafts or guided oar rafts).
We also recommend either prior rowing
experience or a moderately high level of physical fitness. But you do not need
to be a daredevil - or a super athlete - to pilot your own cataraft under our
supervision.
We outfit you and a boat partner with one of our custom designed craft, rigged with frame and oars. We provide coaching and encouragement, and while your guides lead the way you float "follow the leader" style down the river. You trade off rowing with your boat partner and have ample time to relax, take pictures, or take in the passing scenery. Oregon River Experiences pioneered row-your-own river vacations. This is the ultimate "hands-on" rafting adventure.
Row-your-own catarafts are available on most of our multi-day trips. Availability is dependent upon water levels.
Paddle Rafts
Paddle Rafts are
standard on all our day trips, and available by request on multi-day trips.
These popular craft mix whitewater excitement with teamwork and fellowship. (4-7
guests plus a guide; everyone gets to paddle.)
Inflatable Kayaks
Inflatable Kayaks are small, highly maneuverable one-person craft. They’re fast
and exciting but also surprisingly stable. We provide inflatable kayaks
for use on a shared
basis on all our multi-day trips, water levels permitting,
and on selected one day Clackamas River trips. (1
guest per kayak. O.R.E. guides provide instruction and supervision.)
Kayaks may be reserved for exclusive personal use by special arrangement only. A rental fee applies to kayaks reserved for exclusive personal use: see our rental gear page for details.
To see paddle rafts, row-your-own catarafts, guided oar rafts, and inflatable kayaks in action visit our whitewater photo gallery.
