J-Rig

The J-Rig, designed by Jack Currey, founder of Western River Expeditions, is a 37 foot long, 18 feet wide inflatable pontoon boat used exclusively, and patented by Western River Expeditions on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona and Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The J-Rig is touted as the best performing large pontoon craft for large, rough water as experienced on the Colorado River. Other large motorized craft on the Colorado River are called S-Rigs, which are 35 feet in length. Smaller variations on the J-Rig are known as "Baby J's" which are shorter in length (22') and oar powered. They are not used much as they are a very large craft to maneuver with just oars. Some companies have taken the "Baby-J" design and employed a motor with a transom, similar to the J-Rig, but much smaller and do not offer the flex of an actual J-Rig--and therefore should not be referred to as such.

The key differences between an S-Rig and the J-Rig are:

• Variable seating options for guests: J-Rigs offer seating on the tubes up front, on the coolers, and then along the sides where cargo is stored. Besides offering most views straight ahead (downriver), this variation in seating allows for various adventure levels to be satisfied within the same group of passengers.
• Flex and response over large waves: This flex is made possible by the separated front and rear steel frames. The flexibility not only enhances the thrill for guests, but also allows guides to hit larger waves without losing their angle in avoiding other river obstacles. S-Rigs tend to punch through large waves rather than riding the crests and troughs of each wave. Care is to be taken while riding any vessel to keep appendages away from places where the frame meets the rubber.
• Larger capacity for equipment and passengers: This larger capacity allows Western River Expeditions to provide camping equipment unique to a trip with Western River such as camp chairs, camp cots, larger capacity for food storage and menu variety, etc. It also allows Western to fulfill its allotment of "user days" in the Grand Canyon.
• On-board access for guests and guides: in calm water stretches guests are able to stand and walk around to get to personal items or beverages. Guides also tend to roam around the boat mingling with guests and interpret canyon lore, etc.

J-Rig Quick Facts

• 37' long
• 18' wide
• Split frame (front and rear)
• Designed, patented, and used exclusively by Western River Expeditions on the Colorado River

History

After World War II there was a surplus of rubber pontoons made available to the public. Georgie White was among the first to offer river trips in the Grand Canyon using these rubber pontoons in various configurations. Georgie's "Thrill Rig", for example, was simply three oval pontoons lashed together side by side, a motor in the rear helm of the center pontoon and two sweep oars on each far side. The S-Rig configuration, which consisted of one long oval with a motor at the rear with "outrigger" single pontoons on each side, soon became the de-facto standard among the several companies running these motorized craft down the river. One of Georgie's pontoon boats was so large it was capable of carrying up to 45 passengers on a single boat. These boats were nick-named "baloney boats" by the purists who had been running the river for some years beforehand in wooden, oar-powered vessels such as those used in Norm Nevill's Mexican Hat Expeditions.

The J-Rig was created by accident when Jack Currey was scheduled to launch a Grand Canyon rafting trip in the summer of 1961. He placed his order for a 1 boxcar load of WWII surplus pontoons in oval shape, and another boxcar of single "outrigger" pontoons. When the order arrived, he found that both boxcars contained only outriggers. With little time to re-order, Jack cleverly made-do with what he had by lashing five single outrigger pontoons together, forming a platform on which to build a frame and place cargo and paying passengers. The J-Rig was born. Since that time, Western River Expeditions has patented and improved upon Jack's creation and modified almost every facet of the rig.

The pontoons used in today's boats are not relics from WWII, but now custom made for each river outfitter.