[ParadiseFalls]

I'm visiting my best friend this summer, and she wants to take me rafting. Best case scenario, I'll be around the 240s then. Has anyone been rafting at close to that weight? Basically I'd like to believe I won't tip the thing over or draw a ton of attention to myself because I'm in the way/can't help/throw everything off balance/whatever.

I saw a couple of rafting threads, but none addressed weight when rafting.

[Kitcherella]

My friends did and I stayed at the hotel. But the next day we went for a hike and it was much worse (what they said anyway). 3 and a half hours in the mountain. I thought I would have a stroke. At the time I was 257lb. Maybe I should have been rafting instead.

[augeremt]

DO IT!!! I went rafting this summer at 215-ish lbs and I had an absolute blast. You won't tip the boat over or anything like that. Those rafts are made to hold 6 - 8 people so one person no matter how big (I'm not implying you're big by any means) won't flip the thing over. I've seen big people raft all the time (bigger than me by a long shot) so don't let your weight stop you from going. It's seriously amazing.

[kirsteng]

I've also gone.. I weighed about 240 pounds at the time. I also had a fantastic time - SUPER fun and scary! The boats are immense, solid things that you could NEVER flip or even move when you step in - definitely not an issue. All that's very easy. My only issue was this: (kind of embarassing)... but we were supposed to all wear wetsuits where I was as the water was pretty cold. They didn't have any larger size suits available, and I'm all in the hips with my weight, so I could tell by looking at it that there was no way I was going to cram myself into the suit. So I was the only person on the tour who didn't wear one, and I felt a little conspicuous. That said though, the water wasn't that cold - in fact, on the last stretch, when we were out of the rapids, everyone had the option of jumping in and swimming beside the boat until we hit our landing point. Both DH and I did - so it really wasn't an issue safety-wise.. really, I just felt that it pointed me out as the 'one who didn't fit the wetsuit'. Oh well - I still had a great time!

[baker23]

I weighted about 250 last time I went rafting. You won't tip over the raft...they were built sturdy...The life vest what we're provided fit well too. Your going to have such a great time. Enjoy it and don't worry

[SoMuchFattitude]

I went rafting around 230lbs. I was 100% certain that if I fell off the boat I would just drown or be stranded out there. Haha! Our guide was awesome and very fit. When we all went over I was beyond embarrassed that I'd be stuck in the water. Luckily, he reached over and pulled me in by my life vest.

It was a great experience and a TON of fun.

[ParadiseFalls]

Ahh, thanks everyone! I feel much better now. And luckily I don't think there will be wetsuits involved (saw pics from my friends doing it last year around the same time).

Now I'm excited!

[andrew80k]

Agree with augeremt. DO IT!!! I did it when I was 240-ish. And my SIL was probably 280. BIL was probably 250. DW was probably 170. 4 of us in the boat and it was awesome, except BIL knocked me out of the boat twice because he couldn't stay in his seat. Getting wet was part of the fun. This was the Royal Gorge in CO.

[Arctic Mama]

Absolutely have fun, you're not going to tip the raft! Worst case scenario they shift two smaller people opposite you to balance a bit, but I doubt that will even be necessary. It's going to be a blast and YOU are going to enjoy it. Don't let your weight stop you from living life - that's a tragedy that is completely unnecessary

[pluckypear]

Wow now I want to go rafting.

[BabyJane]

Ya'll are making me want to go, too. I heard that the Illinois River in Green Country (Northeastern Oklahoma near Tahlequah) is an awesome place to go! Might have to try it this summer!

[mandalinn82]

One of my very first threads on 3FC was about whether I could truly raft at my highest weight, and which muscles to work in preparation.

You won't tip the thing over, but they will have to spread those in your party out on the raft to have a balanced weight. It wasn't a big deal, though.

I did take an unplanned swim, and they were able to get me back into the raft with no difficulty. That was my biggest nightmare, that I'd be out of the boat and no one could heft me back in. Turns out the buoyancy of the life vest helps them quite a bit.

Have fun and don't worry about it. You'll do fine!