Why NRS?
NRS Pennel Orca rafts are amongst the most capable, coveted inflatable watercraft in the world. Pennel Orca (Hypalon®) fabric is highly regarded in the rafting world for its extreme UV, chemical and abrasion resistance as well as its superior “rollability.” From the expedition-worthy E-series, to the much-loved and more affordable Otter Rafts, NRS makes a raft you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
E-Series or Otter?
Otter
- Boaters ready to invest in a lifetime of adventures can depend on the durability and craftsmanship of hand-built NRS Otter Series rafts. Designed for outfitter- grade performance that a private boater can afford, Otter rafts excel at everything—from day-trip floats to gear-hauling multi-day expeditions. All NRS Otter series boats come with a 7 year retail/4 year commercial warranty and are manufactured at the NRS facility in Tecate, Mexico.
E-Series
- Wherever there are big rapids, sharp rocks and high stakes, you’ll find NRS Expedition Series Rafts. Commercial outfitters choose these boats for their proven performance and longevity. NRS hand cuts and glues each raft using the highest grade materials and components—their thickest, toughest Pennel Orca® fabric, top- quality Leafield™ C7 valves, and a full-coverage HD40 wear chafer on the bottom. If you’re looking for a boat that can last you the rest of your life, and then be handed down to the next generation, look no further than the Expedition Series. All NRS Expedition series boats come with a 10 year retail/6 year commercial warranty and are manufactured at the NRS facility in Tecate, Mexico.
Are NRS Rafts "Hypalon"?
Since 1994, NRS has used Pennel’s “Orca” material in manufacturing their Expedition and Otter rafts, River Cat and Kodiak cataraft tubes, and MaverIK inflatable kayaks. Pennel originally used DuPont® Hypalon® as a coating on their Orca material. Because of the Hypalon coating, inflatables built with Orca fabric—including these NRS designs—were commonly referred to as Hypalon boats.
Hypalon is DuPont’s name for the chemical compound chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CP), which the company invented in 1940. In April 2010, DuPont stopped making Hypalon and Pennel needed to find another source of high-quality CP. They did; and extensive testing has shown that the newly sourced CP provides the same superior performance that our customers have come to expect from NRS boats.
Over the years, CP has proved to be an excellent material for making boats. First of all, it’s great at holding air… a most important feature for inflatables! It’s also super abrasion-resistant, UV-resistant and chemical-resistant. Other uses for CP include roofing materials and liners for chemical treatment lagoons—so you know it's tough stuff!
You’ll no longer see the term “DuPont Hypalon” used to describe NRS boats (or any other manufacturer’s boats). Look for “NRS Pennel Orca” instead—along with the uncompromising quality that has made NRS a worldwide leader in inflatable boats.