It’s Hammer Time! Yep, when it comes to hammering the river (though none of us actually do that, as the river always wins), you can’t do better on an R2 than the Badfish HammerCat, which will leave you and your paddling partner dripping and grinning.
Long a maker of both uber-sweet inflatable and rigid SUPs for the river—tested to the hilt on its backyard Arkansas River in Colorado, including on its world-class Scout surf wave downtown—Badfish has dabbled in rafts for a few years as well, with its expertise coming to a climax in its new HammerCat.
We knew we were in for a treat when it arrived: it came in a tight package, belying its perfect-for-most-waterways 11’10” length. This also means it also stores easily back at home for the rare times you don’t want to be on it. But it also looked like it beckoned to be on the water, like a dog wagging its tail to go outside. For that, we quickly took it out to the exact type of terrain it was made for: the Class III Blue River below Green Mountain Reservoir in Colorado. At 850 cfs, it was a medium level for the stretch, meaning wave splashing, hole dodging and punching, and rock slaloming. It handled it all perfectly, especially the steep carry down to the water where our shoulders and backs relished its paltry 55-lb. weight.
On the water it was nimble enough to get wherever we wanted easily, with the pontoon design reducing drag for ferries and speed. At the same time, its 24” tubes also provided a stable and dry ride, giving it big boat performance—appreciated especially when we ran the weir. We didn’t get to take it down Class V Gore Canyon of the Colorado just downstream (thankfully?), but R-2ers up to the task would be hard-pressed to find a better tool for the job.
The combo—both big water and technical prowess—is exactly what its designers set out to create. “For us, the HammerCat is the ultimate R2 experience,” says designer Mike Harvey. “It’s a great way for two experienced paddlers to run harder whitewater or to introduce a friend to whitewater.” As for the oversized 24” tubes, he equates them to the design innovations that have come to the kayaking world. “They’re like modern bow rocker in whitewater kayaks,” he says. “You can blast over holes and waves and the cat design is low friction, so it pivots easily and slides through tight spots.” He also touts its weight as a key innovation. “It makes it super easy to travel with, whether it’s an after work lap on the local run or putting it on an airplane like I did when I took it to Chile.”
And check the durability box as well. Badfish is the first company to manufacture its inflatables with a commercial-grade fabric material called DuraClear, what Harvey calls “a standout innovation in the world of inflatables.” It took all rock hits without a flinch, even a biggie toward the end where we were sure we would at least see a mark. It’s also easy to keep clean, showing minimal wear and tear. Its seams are bomber also, both radio frequency and hot air welded, with its primary air chambers triple-seamed for additional air-tightness.
At 11’10” long and just 5’6” wide (with a 22”x35” inside cockpit), it’s not exactly roomy inside so don’t expect to bring the kitchen sink. But if you are bringing gear—for a long day trip or self-support overnight—it comes with an included splash guard that ties down to D-rings for carrying gear, water, and other accessories. The D-rings are also positioned to accommodate a small rowing frame.
All I know is that we were grinning in the Colorado sun by the time we reached the takeout, with the golden aspen leaves matching our disposition. For us, it seems the golden ticket for the world of R-2ing. In fact, we can’t wait to take it up a notch when the water comes up again, next time upping our game a hair on the Numbers, Cross Mountain Canyon on the Yampa, or perhaps even Gore.
Badfish HammerCat Features
//11’10” x 5’6”
//45” center to center
//22” x 35” inside cockpit
//44 oz tubes & 66 oz floor/2000-denier DuraClear PVC (professional-grade quality)
//Leafield D-7 valves
//Front foot cups
//16 stainless steel D-rings
//55 lbs
INCLUDES
//Splashgaurd
//Repair kit and valve wrench included
//Storage Wrap
//6-year retail & 3-year commercial warranty on workmanship and materials
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