633 | Next-Gen Angling Boats with Rich Batcheller of Abstract Watercraft - Driftboats vs Rafts, Carbon Fiber, Boats
Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
Dave Stewart
4.7 • 531 Ratings
🗓️ 17 July 2024
⏱️ 60 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/633
Presented By: TroutRoutes
Today, we're diving into the world of next-generation angling boats with Rich Batcheller from Abstract Watercraft.
Rich is the brain behind the revolutionary carbon fiber raft. Find out how their design can help eliminate line tangles and redefine rafting, as well as the features that set this boat apart.
Stay tuned for an insider's look into the future of watercraft with Rich Batcheller.
Show Notes with Rich Batcheller on Abstract Watercraft.
02:28 - Rich's fly fishing journey is greatly influenced by his father. He grew up fishing for sturgeon and salmon on the Willamette River. Today, he enjoys saltwater cutthroat fishing on Bay Bridge Island.
A quick shoutout to Brian Niska, the host of our In the Bucket Podcast. He recently chatted with Trevor Covich about steelhead fishing. Give it a listen here!
Abstract Model 1
07:54 - Rich describes the Abstract Model 1 as an ultralight, self-bailing carbon
fiber insert that drops into a whitewater raft.
He explains how this design makes fishing easier and more efficient. Here are some standout features:
Ultralight Design: Weighs around 275 pounds, 125–150 pounds lighter than a comparable drift boat.
Carbon Fiber Insert (Provides a rigid floor and walk-around environment).
No Traditional Rowing Frame
Easy to Dismantle
12:51 - Rich shares their journey in developing this new category of boat, their vision, and the challenges faced.
17:48 - We explore the idea of selling their unique carbon fiber insert separately for other boat models. Rich acknowledges this possibility, but he mentions their partnership with SOTAR.
He talks about SOTAR's durability and customer service, noting its lightweight and easy customization options, which align with everything Abstract Watercraft is trying to do.
Check out our episode with Adam Hudson, where we talk about drift boats versus rafts.
28:20 - One big thing about their raft is the solid platform you can stand on. It lets you move around easily, which is super helpful when you're fishing or guiding people.
33:04 - Rich shared about his early career at Klein Bicycles, where he learned a lot about design and engineering from working alongside Gary Klein.
Looking Forward with Abstract Watercraft
54:51 - Keep an eye on Abstract Watercraft's Instagram and website for their upcoming official boat launch.
Rich is excited about this new model featuring integrated rod holders, extra storage, and lightweight carbon fiber materials.
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/633
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | for your first boat or next boat should you get a raft or a drift boat or something else can you have the best of both worlds and get one boat that crosses over between rafts and drift boats |
| 0:11.5 | and how much would you spend on a boat this year or next year to get that perfect boat my guest today builds a raft that uses carbon fiber as its main feature to stand out from the |
| 0:22.1 | pack. And today you're going to hear some of the other features that our guests assumed would |
| 0:26.8 | make this boat a drift boat killer. This is the Webfly Swing podcast where I show you the best |
| 0:31.3 | places to travel to for fly fishing, how to find the best resources and tools to prepare for that |
| 0:35.6 | big trip and what you can do to give back to the fish species we all love. |
| 0:39.7 | Hey, how's it going? |
| 0:40.2 | I'm Dave, host of the wet fly swing podcast. |
| 0:42.5 | I've been fly fishing since I was a little kid. |
| 0:44.5 | I grew up around a little fly shop and have created one of the largest fly fishing podcast in |
| 0:48.9 | this country. |
| 0:49.7 | I've also interviewed more of the greatest fly anglers than just about anyone out there. |
| 0:55.1 | Rich Batchelor is the guy who created abstract rafts, a raft that has a carbon fiber platform |
| 1:01.5 | that's built around it. You're going to find out why their design will help you avoid |
| 1:06.8 | line tangles on the boat and why Rich says this is a new category of raft, some of the features that they have on |
| 1:14.7 | there. |
| 1:15.3 | Part of that is how lightweight it is. |
| 1:17.6 | Part of it is being able to maneuver inside the boat. |
| 1:19.8 | We're going to talk about it all today. |
| 1:21.6 | Plus, you're going to hear about one of Rich's early mentors, Gary Klein, from Klein Bicycles, |
| 1:26.7 | and how he influenced Rich and ultimately this job |
| 1:29.7 | crushed him. We're going to hear that story about how he took it from being on top to down to the |
... |
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