F4Stl:
You homewrecker.....your post resulted in discourse with the Hubster, who luvs his cataraft, and I, who luvs my driftboat.

We sold a CATARAFT by the brand name of Kingfisher. I know there is still one downstairs, maybe two. Personally, I've spent a few floats on the cat. Down the Elwha, and I think, maybe the Sol Duc. They scoot easily and they glide over rocks, granted. I'd worry if I spent alot of time gliding over rocks, you know. I don't worry about ripping the bottom off my driftboat.
When I drill a rock in my driftboat, the drink in holder might pop up like a bottle-rocket, but I don't have the fear of the boat riding up the side of the boulder like it was greased. But then, maybe I haven't hit enough rocks.
Yep, hydraulics scare me. I launched off the telephone pole up the Kalama once ( you can't do that anymore, last time I looked down there ) and the Staircase pushed me over edge. I don't know what was pumping more, the river or my heart. Last time I ever tried to row there. But then, I do believe if hydraulics are strong enough to pull a boat backwards into it, and pour into the stern, it's strong enough to push the end of a raft under and flip it.

Hubby loves his cataraft, and he'll float all over the Sol Duc with it. He can do far lower water than I can in a boat.
And truthfully, I won't float the Duc anymore in my boat. Men do it by strength. I have to do it on finesse. It's not a matter of "if", I feel it's a matter of "when", if you know what I mean. But, I would consider floating it in a cataraft.

I shouldn't have compared manueverability. Sorry.
But, I like my boats like I like my vehicles.....with plenty of metal around me.

And....when hubby tried netting that 10# fish in his cat, and stuck the hook through his hand with the thrashing fish attached, I sure would have liked 16 feet of planking under feet to wrestle with it. heh heh heh

Bottom line: it's a personal preference. ( But they still look like toys to me )

diana