I’ve been holding back on writing this review for a while. Although I ran the Star Bug down rivers across Central and South America, I really wanted to press the limits through Patagonia before making a full assessment. At this point, I’ve floated through a large portion of Argentina and several Chilean rivers, racking up a good chunk of river time. Overall, the Star Bug is different than any other raft I’ve rowed and it has some major perks with few drawbacks. 

Specs of Note:

Length – 12 ft 2 inches

Width – 72 inches

Weight – 88 pounds

Tube Diameter – 24”

Air Chambers – 4

Valves – Leafield C7

Impressions without the Frame

This boat isn’t built to paddle as it does not have thwarts or footholds. You could sit on the tubes and paddle but it really functions better with an oar frame. Without the frame, the first thing you notice is the unique floor. It’s not a bucket boat but also does not have an inflated self-bailing floor. The floor itself is raised and rides high, much like a cat floor. This means very little drag is experience as the floor does not contact the water unless the raft is really weighed down. The floor fabric is rigid and contains bailing holes so any water that enters will drain right out. 

 

The next impression is the general way the boat sits. On dry ground, you will notice it has a significant rocker and with the high floor, only the tubes are making contact. The tubes themselves are large with 24” of diameter. If the tubers were not connected, it would be a cataraft and it rows much like one. The connected tubes and rocker however combine to help punch through waves.

Raft Frame Setup

I went with a very simple, bare bones rowing frame. This really was a decision based on space in my van. The frame straps easily to my roof and it stores easily when broken down. Ideally, I’d run something a little bigger with a front bench and the possibility of a rear anchor and seat. The raft would fit a full NRS fishing frame and I like the idea of using it to row anglers, especially in skinny water where the limited amount of material in contact with the water would allow the boat to skirt through tough low water zones. A 48” frame width is the recommended and it has a maximum of 80” in length availability.

Draft and Maneuverability

The performance is really interesting and it takes a few sessions to really get a feel for the boat. Weight distribution is very important. Initially, I had the frame set too far back and did a few flat water laps feeling a little off center. After making and adjustment to level out, it rowed incredibly well. The lack of floor contact makes the weight distribution important because the raft is lightweight and ultra responsive. 

With the weight set correctly, the Star Bug is flat out fast. It has been a huge asset on lakes in Patagonia because I can row and move quickly, covering long distances and pushing through wind much easier than I could in any other raft. It flat out flies across the water and has a very shallow draft.

On overnight trips, my dog rides up front and I even out the weight with a few dry bags up front and one or two in the back. I’ve also rowed with the dog and two fairly large men. One sat up front and the other in the back and it handled great. I was rowing against a moderate river current and was able to pull back upriver with a fully loaded rig. 

The Only Downside

I’ve had a hard time finding a negative thing here. When I was guiding, the Bug would have been amazing for fast moving rivers like Rock Creek in Montana and flat water zones on the Clark Fork. The speed and ability to hold lines with less effort would have been a back saver. 

The interior space is the only downside. There is plenty of room for bags and gear and I have no problem loading up for a multi day river float. Placing an ice chest or using a cooler seat here might not work however unless you can find one with the correct dimensions. You have 24” of width so measure ice chests and plan that space usage wisely. It’s a small price to pay and the tube size ultimately helps with the slick maneuvering as well. 

Construction, Materials and Durability

The whitewater raft is built from PVC and the seams are all welded. The construction is exceptional and it’s a boat that should easily last for decades. It doesn’t have any give and without an inflatable floor, you don’t have to worry about blowing baffles or anything in that space. The tubes are big, the PVC is heavy duty and it comes with wear patches that add a layer of armor to the heavy contact points. Without any glue to worry about and the excellent construction, I’m very confident in the build. After 100 days of hard use, the raft looks and acts like new. The D-Rings are well placed just like every other NRS raft and the handles on either end make for easy carrying and control. Two people can easily lift the raft from the handles with the frame intact.

Fishing from a Star Raft

Fishing from the Bug is just like any other raft. Considering I’m running solo on many trips, I can just sit on the rowers seat and cast. Standing is also easy on the floor. The floor is welded against the tubes and I can stand right up to fish.

The floor also has a few d-rings that could strap to the frame so the weight isn’t pulling on the contact points and is held by the straps. Adding a fishing frame would obviously make it much better for fishing with multiple people.

Comparing to Other Models

The big difference with the Bug is the handling from the raised floor. An inflatable floor has more stick which I enjoy in big water and rapids but the bug is so much easier to maneuver and it cuts across the water which is a huge advantage for hitting fishing holes and rowing through flat-water. It also has such a shallow draft that it can run through some skinny water where other rafts are going to stick. I wouldn’t use this for a paddle boat but it’s a serious option for anglers and anyone wanting something light and maneuverable with oars. All in all, it’s a damn good raft and it comes with a solid 5 year warranty.