Hewitt Swim Raft
 

Anyone familiar with a Hewitt Otter Island Swim Raft?? I saw one at the boat show at Production Trailer and Docks booth and they looked pretty nice. It can be seen here...

http://www.hewitt-roll-a-dock.com/ot...er_island.html

We are in need of one (when ice is out!) and was just curious if anyone has any experience with this brand.

Thanks!

Dan

That thing looks AWESOME! Did you happen to get any pricing while you were there? Are there local dealers? I love the molded seat backs.

cleats
 

Hazel, if you pick one of those bad boys up make sure you put some nice cleats on it so we can tie our boats up and join the party!!

Hazelnut;

Production Trailer and Dock in Meredith is the local dealer. I don't remember the price they quoted but want to say it was around $1800.00 That does not include delivery or set up in the water if you so choose.

What I like about it is it is fully foam filled so it sits low in the water and only weighs 300 lbs. If you have a lot of ducks around your camp, sitting low may not be good, as the ducks will walk right up on it and leave their remnants.

Hopefully someone here has one and will chime in.

Dan

You know I will! I'm thinking we could raft off the raft. I do not believe there is a no rafting zone in front of my house.

Ours is an aluminum pontoon (2), 8x8 foot raft, perhaps 30 inches tall. The deck is a thin outdoor plastic carpet, so it doesn't slip. We got it oh, maybe 6-8 years ago. The kids like using it when they are over. Light enough for one to lift a corner and move, but moving it out of the water in the fall and up an embankment to rest for the winter requires 2-3 adults or a winch.

It is higher than the one pictured in the link in post #1, but the ducks still park on it occasionally, with the same results as ishoot38 mentioned.

We have an 8x10' raft that we got at Watermark, moored by a 250 or 500lb (can't remember) concrete disk/block and stainless chain. the setup cost around $2300 I think. Ours is the standard aluminum frame, cedar decked, with the black floats in all 4 corners. It is extremely heavy to pull in and out, but sits up high enough that we really don't have a duck problem.

Love it...
 

We got ours at Production Trailer and had in salt water for a full season with no problems. He placed chain on both ends on the bottom and I placed a heavy stainless swivel to the chain. Ours is held with a 150lb mushroom mooring. I just wish I had not picked the green seats as they get HOT in the summer...We love it!

Does the blonde in the lounge chair come with? If so, count me in! :laugh:

Foam
 

Before buying any foam filled floats be sure to ask if the foam is "closed cell". If it is not it will absorb water if you get any kind of crack or hole in the plastic a few years down the road. It will still float, but it will be extremely! heavy to move.

I saw this on craigslist yesterday.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/1054312644.html



.

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems like a lot of floating rafts are set out in front of the waterfront homee with two purposes; one, as a swim raft, and two, as a protective buffer to keep moving boaters away from the shoreline area. It's a strategy that pretty much is successfull, too. Wood, aluminum, vinyl, and colorfull, trampolene style rafts get positioned to protect the nearby turf.


A proposal requiring NH Marine Patrol permits for rafts, similar to what exists for moorings, was initiated a year or two ago, and it died in the legislature. With the Marine Patrol director currently seeking to increase boat registration fees so's to help pay for MP operations, it just could be that an annual raft permit should be considered again?

Gee whiz....maybe I could get a job as the MP raft :D inspector! First thing I'd do is I'd drive all over the lake and slap big fines on those ugly bright blue and yellow ugly trampolenes...for not blending....give em a not-blending ticket....if your raft does not look like an old gray, weathered lumber raft that been around since President Nixon, then you get a ticket :eek:!

I know what you mean.I feel the same way about shiney aluminum boats.:laugh:

Production Trailer and Docks
 

Yup, emailed the add and it was from Production Trailer and Dock out of Meredith. Seem to be pretty decent folks there.

Dan

Otter Island
 

This raft looks awesome and how much fun would it be to hang out with a cold one while watching the day go bye! I was searching the web to see if I could find a better price. I found a site www.servadock.com. It is selling the raft for $1199.00. I am not sure what shipping would be but I imagine it would beat the local price of +/-$1700.

That is a great price, but I bet the shipping from Minnesota would almost bring it close to the local $1,650.00 price tag.

I just ordered mine from Production Trailer and Dock. They are going to handle everything including install.

Dan

I just bought mine from Goodhue Hawkins. Good people to deal with and a great price. If your looking for this raft, give Steve a call.

Chip you beat me to the punch with the blonde comment. :eek:

He sure did,by a month!:laugh:

O.k. O.k. be nice! :D

SS & dpg
 

You two crack me up. ROTFLMAO.

dpg, did you just wake up from your winter slumber? :emb:

another option
 

E.M. Heath Hardware Store in Center Harbor carries these at a better price than the dock place in Meredith. Leigh (store manager) just ordered a couple of them for somebody, so talk to Leigh about them. He likes to wheel and deal so I`m sure he`ll beat any local price.

Man, I need to be more careful when posting in the future. :eek: Tough audience. :rolleye2:

All good
 

All in fun. No bad intent meant. I've been corrected more than a few times.

Otter Island Raft
 

Just bought and set up the raft. It is awesome. I do have 1 issue and was hoping someone who owned one could help out. I think I have a problem with the table. When I push the plug in to make the table flush with the raft, I have to swim underneath the raft to release the table. I am not sure if this is correct. Thanks

Hi nhDolfan;

I love mine as well, just got it installed a week or so ago. Regarding the table, yes it pulls up hard, but what I do is twist the table left and right while pulling up and it comes right up. Don't know if thats the right way to do it, but it works for me.

Dan

How does your table attach to the stand. I was missing the piece and this could be my issue. I have emailed the company and will forward and pertinent info.

Thanks

I am not 100% certain but I believe the table is attached to the post with a through bolt and lock nut and washer.
Putting the table up threw me for a loop also. You do have to work at it a little.

Let me know what you find out as i am curious also.

Thanks!!

Dan

Now not to pick on anyone here, but shouldn't swim rafts be nice and simple.... just a platform..... why do you need a table and louge seats...... As for the big trampoline jobs
well..... those are even more of an over kill..... I go to the lake to get in and enjoy the water, not sit down close to it and admire it.....

Why do you even need a swim raft then?? To each his own...I personally find it very relaxing and a lot of fun to swim out to the raft with my favorite beverage in tow and lay in the sun for a while, then jump in when I get hot.

I would assume people who have the trampoline type rafts most likely have kids or grandkids who they enjoy and love immensely and want to show them a good time. Never knew too many 10 year olds to sit still very long particularly when next to or in the water, nor would I want to. The kids I have seen on those trampolines sure seem to be having a lot of fun! Hey if their parents or grandparents can afford it, why not! They can do enough sitting around or growing roots in a couch while playing video games or watching TV.

The lake is for fun, whatever your pleasure may be. Enjoy it!

Dan

I spoke with the rep today. He is sending another push plug(not sure what you call it). he said that some of them came from the factory with a 90 degree cut and not a beveled edge to allow it to self catch. You may want to do the same.

Thanks for the info!

Which Rep did you speak with?? A Hewitt rep, or a rep from Goodhue and Hawkins?? If it's a Hewitt rep can you give me a name and number cause I know my push plug is definitely not tapered and that would certainly make the table come up easier!

Thanks again!

Dan

I spoke with Steve. His # 1-877-466-8837 x206. He was great.

Thanks!
 

Thanks NHDOLFAN! I called Steve and he is mailing me the revised part! great service!

Dan

Otter island
 

Ishoot308 & etc al,

How are you liking your Otter Island swim platform? Any duck or geese issues? table issues?

Love It
 

Its a great raft! Ive had mine for 3 or 4 summers now without issue. Living on the West side of Welch can be quite challenging at times but the raft has held up great!!

No duck or geese issues but an occasional Commorant though!

Dan