I saw that Tom Zimmer had taken his Culebra to New Zealand.

I live near Christchurch in the South Island, with lots of rivers. Lots. Wish we had hooked up.

I use my Culebra as an R-2 and with a super light rowing rig solo.

I have a share in a ‘real ‘ raft which we use for those table and chairs trips.

The two action pics are on the Upper Waiau River which is two days on good technical Class 4. It’s more a kayak trip but the Culebra handles that stuff. We’re working hard because this is “The Narrows”, the crux rapid, and because we missed the must make eddy and inadvertently led the whole thing. The other boats had a few issues. Kayakers swam, a cat back-flipped, and a raft pinned. We went through without much more than elevated heart rates and rescued the kayak and the paddle rafters . My friend Geoff (yellow helmet) was practically blind as he was due for an eye operation the next day. No problem Geoff, just do what I say! We both have a kayaking and catarafting background.

I have taken friends and family out in R-2 mode and they get a big kick compared with a raft, with a lot of action. I am amazed at what the Culebra will run and how it survives holes that have capsized 14 foot rafts and bigger framed cats. Sometimes you think you’re in for a horrible swim in a big reversal or hole but the Culebra just rides through and over.

As a rowed rig my son has used the Culebra on 6 day wilderness trips. My wife and I have run some overnights.

In R-2 mode I find running the kayak lines is best, and in row mode, just run the rowing lines. You can’t do that in any other boat. The Culebra is light and that allows you to accelerate more quickly.

Sorry I haven’t more photos or videos. I find I’m too busy and having too much fun in this boat to stop and take pictures. I don’t pack the boat in but I have a done a number of helicopter fly-ins. This is the Kiwi way. There are helicopter guys at the bottom of many of our harder wilderness rivers. The Culebra goes inside the aircraft, which means you fly at full speed of about 120 knots compared with loading kayaks and rafts on a sling where the helicopter flies at 60 knots max.. At $1500/hour, speed is good. Typically the shuttle from the get out up to the put in takes from 10 up to 20 minutes, shared 4 ways means a day trip will cost about $100-120 each. With a big group I have run 30 mile 2 day heli paddles for US$150.

I made the row rig myself. It’s very light but it works fine. 25mm tubes with 1.2mm wall. It breaks down using springer clips, but bolts would be better as the holes slog out if anything moves in use. The latest version is attached to the cross tubes via longer straps and I added some extra D-rigs to the tubes where the oarstands are. I use the lightweight 7ft Carlisle break down oars (a bit light but easy to carry) or 7.5ft Cataract Mini Magnum oars which are about right, or wooden 7ft Gull oars (nice feel). And yes your tube foot brace is so much better than foot cups.

Thanks for the great boat.

Hugh Canard
Whitecliffs
New Zealand

Thank you Hugh. It is so very nice to hear that our boats are getting good use so far away. Here is a picture and a drawing of the frame we have NRS make for this boat.