"I was thrilled – these new models behave more like a rigid kayak – incredible. If the water had been warmer I’d have tried an eskimo roll. I was impressed by the details and solid construction."
Antonio Piro, Chief fire fighter at CNVVF (Italian Department of Fire Services, Public Rescue and Civil Defence), Administrator of 'Packrafting Italia', Testing a packraft from our new range on River Brenta in northern Italy, December 2015.
These (whitewater) boats in our range feature a sophisticated geometry with smart details for high performance packrafting. The Alligator 2S is part of the MRS StreamlineSL optimization. It is also with Internal Storage System (ISS) available! Please note the information and care instruction to the optional Internal Storage System (ISS).
Character and use
The general configuration of the boat, along with an exceptional robustness and racy design defines its packrafting potential. Extreme whitewater, remote wilderness expeditions and anything in between are all possible with the sturdy 3-kilo Alligator 2S.
This fully enclosed boat responds more like a kayak without compromising its versatility. The spraydeck is handy against rain, cold and splashes, and is a must for more turbid whitewater. The Alligator 2S expands the range of uses without restricting classic packrafting: combined trips on water and land. One can still transport bikes as well as paddle across fjords and mountain lakes. No less than twelve grab loops support secure gear lashing for touring.
Shape and construction
The classy look comes from the narrow, tapering geometry based on 27-cm main tubes – hence the name: Alligator 2S – 20 Seven. We think this is the optimal tube size to combine the benefits of agility and nimbleness while retaining comfort and stability.
The well-balanced rocker is especially refined, with a moderate bow upturn catching eddies effectively, while keeping the boat boof-able thanks to the small stern raise. The pointy, upswept nose climbs over or punches through waves and a relatively long waterline provides good speed and acceleration.
The packraf has a preinstalled soft mount for a removable fin/skeg for better tracking and increased speed. A small fin (mini skeg) is included in the delivery. A larger, more effective fin (Anfibio Skeg) can be chosen optional or purchased later.
Spray deck and Thigh straps
The deck features a cockpit which houses flexible aluminium poles that form the coaming rim. The paddler’s spray skirt is secured over the rim. The spacious hatch/cockpit almost feels like an open boat, so can be enjoyed without a sprayskirt in calm or warm conditions. Then, when needed, the seal is absolutely leak proof and secure, while opening reliably and effortlessly when you need to bail out fast.
A core feature in the Alligator’s handling are the padded and fully adjustable three-point thigh straps. Along with the boat’s close fit, the internal rigging helps it to responds and edge like a kayak, while still being easy to escape. The thigh straps are removable, thus an advanced feature and without them the Alligator paddles just fine.
At 132cm, the interior length suits users up to 195cm. If prefered, users can fit a spacer/foot brace such as an inflatable device, foam pad, strap (loops provided) or any other bag.
Additional hull pressure and stiffness can be achieved with a hand pump (besides inflating with a nylon bag), so there is no need for longside bracing (tension against the bow and stern for rigidity) for added response and control in whitewater. However, the boat also works fine at regular, bag pressures.
The Alligator features a snug fit. Technical boaters will like the superior hip connection to the boat which greatly improves performance and response, especially in whitewater. However, the give in the air tubes won’t restrict bigger users. Tall persons bear in mind the narrow foot box won’t be suited to big boots.
The Alligator 2S is a collaboration between Anfibio Packrafting and MRS (Micro Rafting System). Combined with MRS’s manufacturing expertise and fabric know-how, our years of packrafting experience as well as feedback and testing results all helped refine the design of the final product.
Serial production takes place in the Far East with manufacturing carried out in small, hand-built batches. All MRS products have an extended three-year warranty.
Material and repairability
The Alligator 2S is made from urethane-coated nylon. The floor features an Aramid fibre for exceptional tear resistance – partly cut fabric cannot be torn by hand. The excellent adhesive qualities of the TPU coating makes the boat extremely durable, enhanced by a special treatment for a smooth, scratch-resistant finish. Being light, UV-tolerant, non-ageing and flexible at low temperatures, this packraft is a lot tougher than its weight and packed size would suggest.
In the unlikely event of sustaining damage, repairs can be done in the field with LifePatch, which bonds to the urethane surface extremely well. Small pinholes can be sealed with Aquasure, a liquid urethane sealant. Just any major damage, should they happen, can be repaired with spare fabric and contact glue at home or in our workshop.
Information according General Product Safety Regulation
Manufacturer: Chengdu Micro Rafting System Trade Co.,Ltd, Building No.11 C-2, Longteng Industrial City, No. 515, Longquan Century Avenue, Longquanyi District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, Postcode: 610199, info@mrsraftings.comPerson responsible in the EU: Anfibio Packrafting, Schellin & Kreinacker GbR, Körnerplatz 6, 04107 Leipzig, Germany, info@packrafting-store.de
Ships with
- Pack strap
- Inflation bag
- Coaming poles (4 pcs)
- Spray skirt (detachable)
- Thigh straps (adjustable)
- Seat
- EVA foam backrest
- Repair material: tube and floor (PU-glue must be ordered separately)
- Mini skeg
- (optional with ISS: including 2 internal storage bags)
Material
- Tubes: 210-denier High-strength Nylon fabric (UPN35) with singel side urethane coating (2mil 67T*55T 90 A Ether TPU) and surface finish (gloss), weathering resistant and anti-hydrolysis
- Floor: 840-denier, high tear resistant Nylon fibre with multiple urethane coating (6mil 67T*55T 90 A Ether TPU) and surface finish, weathering resistant, anti-hydrolysis
- Spray Deck: 210-denier Ripstop Nylon with 420D reinforcements, 2,4mil single-sided, transparent urethane coating, velcro and waterproof zipper, weathering resistant, anti-hydrolysis
- Seat and Back rest: 210-denier weaved Nylon with 2,8mil single-sided urethane coating, weathering resistant, anti-hydrolysis
Construction
Racy design with tapering bow and well-balanced rocker. Upturned, pointy bow, elongated/extended stern, slim body fit. Six stern grab loops, four bow grab loops, two long loops inside, 5-point thigh straps. Main, non-return valve, fin/skeg mount
The Alligator 2S is part of the MRS StreamlineSL optimization and also with Internal Storage System (ISS) available.
Workmanship
Triple construction: sewn with high-tensile thread; heat-welded tubes; contact glued floor with taped edges. This creates a bond that ‘s stronger than the hull fabric. Heat-welded and taped spray deck.
Weight
Boat: 2900g (incl. cover)
Boat WIDE: 335 g (incl. cover)
Skirt / poles: 330 g / 160 g
Seat and backrest: 200 g / 120 g
Seat and backrest WIDE: 263 g, 263 g
Boat complete: 3690g
Boat WIDE complete: 5100 g
Pack strap: 25g
Inflation bag: 135g
Repair Kit: 20g
Thigh straps: 200g
Dimensions
Inner
Length: 131 cm
Length WIDE: 132,5 cm
Width at hips: 32cm
Width at hips WIDE: 37 cm
Outer
Length: 255cm
Length WIDE: 260 cm
Width: 87cm
Width WIDE: 92 cm
Waterline: 190cm
Waterline WIDE: 228 cm
Tube diameter: 27,5 cm
Packing size: ~ 40 x 25cm (like a two person tent)
Longest pole segment (Spray deck coaming): 60cm
Speed: 5km/h
Buoyancy: 145kg
Our test and trip report from Italy
Chris S. introduces the Alligator 2S
Expditionary Kit List of Secret Compass.
"Our team got back from Gabon last week. They had a truly epic expedition and it is probably one our remotest and challenging trips we have run so far. The [Alligator] packrafts worked out perfectly and they got to paddle everything from wide open flat jungle rivers, to grade 3 rapids, and portage around up to grade 5. It is a place where only packrafts could work and they were the first people to paddle a lower part of the river which was only made possible because they had packrafts" Tom McShane, secretcompass.com
"Damn the Alligator is awesome boat! The added control makes paddling easier and also more dry. When you can actually edge and tilt the boat you tend to get a lot less water on the deck and on yourself. Plus I feel that the deck is a lot drier. The coaming lifts little higher and the deck is little tighter making pooling water less of an issue. Simply put: great boat." Jaakko Heikka playing with his new toys in Finnland.
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