The J-Rig: Our Exclusive Grand Canyon Raft

A J-Rig is Western River Expeditions’ exclusive motorized raft used on Grand Canyon trips. It is 37 feet long and 18 feet wide, with five inflatable pontoons, a split-frame design, mostly forward-facing seating, and three distinct riding areas. A guide operates a four-stroke outboard motor from the stern. No other commercial outfitter uses the J-Rig design.

Western River Expeditions founder Jack Currey developed the J-Rig after experimenting with surplus military bridge pontoons. Long inflatable tubes were positioned side by side to create a wide, flexible raft that could carry guests, guides, food, and camping gear through the Grand Canyon. The design was later patented and has been refined by Western River for more than six decades.

On most Western River Grand Canyon trips, each J-Rig carries 14 guests plus two or more guides. Most departures travel with two J-Rigs together, for about 28 guests and four or more guides.

Western also operates a limited number of single-boat departures, where a J-Rig may carry up to 18 guests plus guides.

The front riding tubes are the wettest and most adventurous seats on the J-Rig. Guests straddle the pontoon and hold on as the raft climbs into the waves, putting you right in the middle of the whitewater.

Between rapids, the same front tubes are a great place to stretch out and take in the canyon. During appropriate calm stretches, you can move between the front, cooler seats, and more protected midship seating.

Western River’s Grand Canyon trips require a reasonable level of mobility. Guests need to board and exit the raft at natural river beaches and camps, move around uneven terrain, and participate in an active wilderness trip. Guides are there to assist when getting on and off the raft.

Minimum ages are 9 for the 3- and 4-Day trips and 12 for the 6- and 7-Day trips. If you have questions about mobility or physical requirements, contact us before booking and we can help you determine which Grand Canyon trip is the best fit.

The J-Rig is motorized. A guide operates a four-stroke outboard motor from the stern to navigate the river, run rapids, and efficiently cover the long stretches of moving water between them.

The motor makes it possible for Western’s 6- and 7-Day trips to cover 188 miles of the Upper Canyon without requiring guests to paddle. When conditions allow, guides can shut the motor off and simply drift with the current.

Yes. The J-Rig is a proprietary raft design used only by Western River Expeditions. Other Grand Canyon outfitters operate motorized rafts, including other pontoon-style designs, but the J-Rig’s five-pontoon configuration, split frame, forward-facing riding areas, and open front tubes are unique to Western.

The biggest differences are pace, boat size, seating, and trip length.

The motorized J-Rig carries a larger group, offers three distinct seating experiences, and covers more river miles each day. That allows Western’s Upper Canyon trips to travel 188 miles in six or seven days.

Oar rafts are smaller, with the guide rowing from the center or stern. They travel at a slower pace and offer a more intimate, close-to-the-water experience, generally requiring more days to cover comparable mileage.

Neither requires guests to paddle. They are simply different ways to experience the Grand Canyon.

No. Your guides operate the J-Rig, so guests do not paddle or row. During rapids, your job is to follow your guide’s instructions and hold on. During calmer stretches, you can relax, enjoy the scenery, and move between seating areas when your guides let you know it’s appropriate.

You will hear the motor while it is running, but the J-Rig uses a modern four-stroke outboard designed for efficient river travel. Guests can still talk with one another and their guides while underway, and when river conditions allow, guides can turn the motor off and drift quietly with the current.

Yes. One of the J-Rig’s defining features is the ability to experience the river from three different seating areas—from the wet and adventurous front tubes to the cooler seats and the more protected midship area.

During calm stretches, guests can change positions and try different parts of the raft. Before whitewater, your guides will let you know where to be and when it's time to stay put.

All four Western River Expeditions Grand Canyon trips travel by J-Rig: the 3-Day Grand Canyon River Trip, 4-Day Grand Canyon River & Ranch Trip, 6-Day Grand Canyon Rafting Trip, and 7-Day Grand Canyon Rafting Trip.

The 6- and 7-Day trips cover 188 miles of the Upper Canyon, while the 3- and 4-Day trips explore the Lower Canyon beginning at the Whitmore Wash helipad at river mile 188.