Tributary 12.0 SB review by TBP

[Lee Arbach TBP]

AIRE Tributary 12.0 SB self bailer raft. The Tributary 12.0 SB Self Bailer Raft ($2,849) is an import AIRE brings in from their Asian factory, a production facility set up by and solely for them. The T-12 is built with the same urethane bladders and the same pre-stretched Ferrari hull fabric as the American AIRE’s. The 12′, 13′, 14′, and new 16′ sizes all come standard with three quick release thwarts. We don’t always hear back from customers post-sale, but those we have talked with have been delighted as they have put the miles on their Tributarys. We are no longer in the raft rental business, but if we were we would use nothing but Tributary’s.
AIRE Tributary 12.0 SB Self Bailer Raft Lifespan – A LONG TIME

There are cheaper pvc import rafts to be sure, but whereas the lifespan on a Tributary 12.0 SB is essentially unlimited, all the other brands are glued instead of being welded and range from 3 to 13 year lifespans, at which point their seams will fail. This means you will be putting all that toxin-laden poly vinyl chloride into a landfill somewhere rather that keeping it the raft use. Among other things, some pvc fabrics, mainly those from a few Asian manufacturers, still contain dioxin. With a welded, bladderized raft like a T-12, you can keep it virtually forever.

These days, since all rafts brands are overbuilt in terms of toughness, what you are really buying is handling and lifespan. And along with their longevity, Tributary rafts score high in the handling department. Add to this that they tend to roll up smaller and weigh less than many competing brands, including the American made AIREs, and the Trib’s stand as an obvious first choice for veterans and first time boat owners alike.
Leafield Valves in AIRE Tributary 12.0 SB Self Bailer Rafts

All Trib inflatable rafts come with the large bore, reliable B-7 Leafield valves. It is worth noting that AIRE does not really have an equivalent to this model in their American made line. The closest comparison is the Super Puma, but that boat is much narrower and a foot longer, and has way more rocker on the ends. The AIRE Tributary 12.0 SB Self Bailer Raft is 12’3″ (AIRE says 12′ but our tape measure says it’s a bit mroe) by 6’1″ wide, with a fairly ample 37″ inside width. The T-12.0 bailer has 18″ tubes and weighs 105 pounds, or 92 without thwarts. Unlike the two larger models, the tubes do not taper at the ends on the T-12. T-12’s work equally well for rowers or paddle crews. You can jam six smaller folks in the T-12, but it paddles best as a four or five person vehicle.

The inflatable floor mounts the same way all AIRE raft floors do, with a laced piano hinge system that drains very quickly. Unlike the American AIRE rafts though, the Tributary floors come laced in from the factory. This is significant since it takes one person 2-1/2 hours to lace a 12′ raft.
AIRE Tributary 12.0 SB Self Bailer Raft Warranty

The Tributary 12.0 SB warranty is five years and it is not a “no-fault” warranty like the U.S made AIREs have. In other words AIRE still fixes anything that is their fault, but if you damage the boat, that won’t be covered. If you don’t want to deal with a repair yourself you can still ship the boat off to Idaho where AIRE is located, but many repairs can be effected on a Tributary in less time than it will take you to box up your raft and drive to UPS. Remember too that five years is the same warranty you get on many other high quality brands like Hyside, Achilles, and Incept, all of which are far more expensive that the Trib’s.

• This topic was modified 11 years, 2 months ago by Lee Arbach TBP.

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