Dave Inks
WaterStrider® Boats

Dave Inks WaterStrider® Boats Dave Inks WaterStrider® Boats Dave Inks WaterStrider® Boats
  • Home
  • Boat Descriptions
  • Shop
  • Tutorials
  • Sale Accessories
  • Dave's Unique items
  • About Us
  • More
    • Home
    • Boat Descriptions
    • Shop
    • Tutorials
    • Sale Accessories
    • Dave's Unique items
    • About Us

Dave Inks
WaterStrider® Boats

Dave Inks WaterStrider® Boats Dave Inks WaterStrider® Boats Dave Inks WaterStrider® Boats
  • Home
  • Boat Descriptions
  • Shop
  • Tutorials
  • Sale Accessories
  • Dave's Unique items
  • About Us

Description Gallery

International orange - heavy weight

International Orange - Heavy Weight

This is our high visual model for safety and to keep track of others.  It's TPU 420 D  fabric is double coated and has many advantages including wear, high elasticity, and good physical properties.  TPU has a tensile strenth of 70MPa, making it a strong and long lasting material. Complete with 3-peice oars, fins, K-pump, inflatable back rest , foot strap, stripping apron, packable boat storage bag, D-ring in front and D-rings for tiying down gear in the rear. Behind the seat there is large area for gear.

Orange black - Dave Inks Waterstrider kick boat

Weight and Dimensions

WaterStrider Boat & Oars  14 lbs.

Storage Dry Boat Bag  1 lb.

Inflatebe Backrest    1.7 lbs.

Stripping Apron   4 oz

Foot Strap      .6 oz

Length  238 cm  or  7.8 ft   

Width  125 cm  or  4.1 ft


Dave Inks Waterstrider kick boat

A Mobile Boat

Fishing on rivers will alway present some difficult twists or bends, trees or debris blocking your way.  You might have gone down the wrong tributary or ended up in a dry gulch.  With the Waterstider Boat, that is not going to be a concern. The boat is so easy to pick up and travel to where you need to be.  There are easy ways to carry the boat such as on your shoulder or simply walking and using the open floor design.

waterStrider best one man raft for fishing

International Gray - Heavy Weight

The International Gray is a good looking boat. It's TPU 420 D  fabric is double coated and has many advantages including wear, high elasticity, and good physical properties.  TPU has a tensile strenth of 70MPa, making it a strong and long lasting material. Complete with 3-peice oars, fins, K-pump, inflatable back rest , foot strap, stripp

The International Gray is a good looking boat. It's TPU 420 D  fabric is double coated and has many advantages including wear, high elasticity, and good physical properties.  TPU has a tensile strenth of 70MPa, making it a strong and long lasting material. Complete with 3-peice oars, fins, K-pump, inflatable back rest , foot strap, stripping apron, packable boat storage bag, D-ring in front and D-rings for tying down gear.

Waterstride fishing boat filled with air

Weight and Dimensions

WaterStrider Boat & Oars  14 lbs.

Storage Dry Boat Bag  1 lb.

Inflatable Backrest    1.7 lbs.

Stripping Apron   4 oz

Foot Strap      .6 oz

Length  238 cm  or  7.8 ft   

Width  125 cm  or  4.1 ft


Dave Inks Waterstrider heavy duty fly fishing boat

A Difinite Favorite

A Difinite Favorite

For years the Gray WaterStrider has been a favorite. It easily blends into the enviroment and the classy gray with black accents will never go out of style.  Only 14 pounds, you can carry it  anywhere when the moment calls. This is one tough boat.

fly fishing boat

Traveler Green - Medium Weight

TheTraveler  Green Medium Weight is a little over 12 pounds.  Complete with 3-peice oars, fins, K-pump, inflatable back rest , foot strap, stripping apron, and packable boat storage bag. The material is TPU 420 D  fabric and is single coated which makes this boat  light, yet has many advantages including wear, high elasticity, and good physical properties.  

Dave wanted a boat that he could travel with and this design does just that.


For a limited time this package comes with an extra storage bag.

fishing in New Zeland

Weight and Dimensions

WaterStrider Boat & Oars  12 lbs.

Storage Dry Boat Bag  1 lb.

Inflatable Backrest    1.7 lbs.

Stripping Apron   4 oz

Foot Strap      .6 oz

Length  238 cm  or  7.8 ft   

Width  125 cm  or  4.1 ft


Lite weight fishing boat

Designed for Traveling

This Green Medium WaterStider Kick Boat was desinged for traveling. The boat can be packed away in a suitcase as seen here when Dave spent a month in New Zeland. The material is the same as the Orange and Gray boats but with one coat of  TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). 

This boat is perfect for lakes, ponds and easy rivers.  Dave reccomends this boat for Class I or Class II rapids.

Have fun and enjoy this WaterStrider Boat for a great fishing experience.  

Inflateable Boat Types and Care

WaterStrider Raft

WaterStrider Vision

Dave’s goal and vision was to create a boat that could easily be used whether backpacking into a special place, packed in a suitcase when traveling to New Zealand or easy of carrying to and from the water’s edge.  There are lightweight and heavy boats depending on the material.

Types of Material for Inflateable Rafts

The two main fabrics for inflatable rafts/boats are TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride).  Each has their own unique advantages and applications.

 

TPU meets consumers who have higher requirements for environmental protection, high performance, and comfort. It is highly flexible; retains its shape even under stress and is your lightest option which makes it perfect for traveling, backpacking, easy carrying, and great for many types of equipment. 


PVC is suitable for those who seek affordable and tough, durable, and offers more rigidity, making it suitable where flexibility is less important. PVC rafts/boats are going to be heavier and won’t pack down as small and not desired for walking long distances. 

WaterStrider Raft Weights

TPU rafts are approximately 12 to 15 lbs. 

PVC rafts are approximately  24 to 28 lbs. 


Recommended Instructions when Inflating Rafts

TPU or PVC. Each air chamber should be filled by alternating back and forth to keep equal pressure on the baffles. With TPU, back out some air a bit and be careful not to over inflate. If you are used to a PVC boat, you need to pay attention to the air pressure limits as it is easy to over inflate. 

TPU medium weight .5 to 1 psi, TPU heavy weight 1.5 to 2 psi, and PVC 1.5 to 3. 


NOTE: Long exposure to sun and high temperatures can increase air pressure in packraft seats, leading to overinflation. Overinflation can damage seams or worse, pop the seat. We suggest bleeding off air pressure or fully deflating in these conditions.


A TRIB aircap is recommended for monitoring the psi when inflating. These can be found on Amazon.  


Baffles and Chambers

Most inflatable rafts/boats have multiple baffles and chambers. If one portion of the boat leaks the other would stay full of air. Although it is not uncommon for a baffle to blow out, but it doesn’t affect normal use. Although every rafter should carry an approved life vest when using all forms of rafts/boats


Contact Us

Have a question or need help. Please watch our Instruction Videos.

Contact us at : [email protected]   406-550-1908  Hamilton, Mt.


Our newest WaterStride PVC Boat will be available in the future. If interested please contact us. 

TRiB airCap Pressure Gage Recommended for Inflateable Boats

Photo Gallery

    SHOPHOMETutorials

    Copyright © 2025 WaterStrider Boats - All Rights Reserved.

    Powered by

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions

    This website uses cookies.

    We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

    DeclineAccept