Made by Trout Boat Cap'n: See the Rafter Row Bench on troutboatcapn.com
The Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench is a handmade-to-order rower's seat, built in Oklahoma, that mounts to a cooler or dry box and lifts you to outfitter height on a raft. It is for anglers who row and fish all day and want a stable, organized perch. FFIP score: 9.6/10.
Overall: 9.6/10 | Badge: FFIP Top Pick
Verdict: The Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench is an awesome product from a company whose owner guides (Christian's words), and it is worth far more than the hours you would spend building your own.
Best For: Raft anglers who row long days, want a stable seat on a cooler or dry box, and would rather fish than build a bench in the garage.
Not For: Anglers who want a bare-bones seat with no upkeep, since the wood finish needs a yearly light sanding and recoat, or rowers who need a fully padded, contoured seat.
Price: Starting from $325 (per maker site)
Pros:
- Stable, sturdy seat that does not shift, with rails that keep small items like a whistle kit from sliding away
- Southern Yellow Pine with stainless hardware and an epoxy and spar varnish finish that goes well beyond a home build
- Included mounting hardware that is well thought out and adapts to nearly any setup
Cons:
- Comfort is personal; a bony rower may want a cushion
- The wood finish asks for a light sanding and recoat every year (the maker sells a $50 maintenance kit)
- It mounts to a cooler, dry box or frame, so you need a solid one to build on
The FFIP Scorecard
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance on the water | 35 | 10 | Right size, sturdy, and the rails keep small items from sliding off |
| Build quality | 25 | 10 | Finishes and durability a home build will not match |
| Comfort/ergonomics | 15 | 9 | Very supportive and never moves; my bony frame is the only drag on this score |
| Ease of rigging/transport | 10 | 10 | Straightforward to rig, adapts to any setup, and the included hardware is well thought out |
| Value | 15 | 8 | Hours of building saved, and I would rather row and fish |
| Overall (weighted) | 100 | 9.6 |
How Is the Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench Built? The Engineering Behind It
The maker, Trout Boat Cap'n, describes the Rafter Row Bench as a stable, elevated workspace to row your boat from. Here is what that means once you break the design down.
Why raising the rower matters
Rowing a raft is a lever problem. The oars pivot on the oarlocks and your body is the engine. Trout Boat Cap'n says the bench raises the rower several inches to outfitter height, which improves visibility and rowing efficiency. More height gives you a better look at the seams and rocks ahead and a better angle for the stroke. Our conversation on the captain's position and rower seat height goes deeper on that geometry.
A driftboat-style seat with room to move
The maker describes a driftboat-style seat with walk-around room, and it keeps frequently used items within reach. On a small raft, floor space is scarce, so a bench that gives you somewhere to put your gear and somewhere to stand beside it matters more than it sounds.
Through-mounting to the cooler
The classic problem is the wobbly seat on a plastic cooler. A cooler lid flexes, and a seat that only rests on top of it rocks with every stroke. The Rafter Row Bench uses a through-mounting system to tie the seat to the cooler, which stops that wobble and sends your effort into the oars instead. Standard S, M and L sizes fit any cooler or dry box, with price tiers set by cooler capacity. Custom XL sizes mount on raft frames or span the gunnels, and the maker offers multiple hinge styles.
Southern Yellow Pine, stainless hardware and a marine finish
The bench is made from Southern Yellow Pine, a dense, strong softwood, with all stainless steel hardware, which resists corrosion in river water. The finish is System Three Silvertip Epoxy and Spar Varnish. Epoxy seals the wood against moisture, and spar varnish stays flexible and carries UV protection, which matters on a boat that lives in the sun. Each bench is handmade to order in Oklahoma, USA. Trout Boat Cap'n recommends a light sanding and recoat of System Three Spar Varnish every year, and sells a $50 maintenance kit for it.
On the Water with the Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench
My first time using Trout Boat Cap'n gear was on the Green River in Utah. It was winter, and I was in a friend's boat. I had seen the product at shows but never jumped on it. Then I got to use one and saw all the benefits: it is adjustable, the mounting hardware is solid, and the wood has a marine quality finish. Through the day I kept noticing one more advantage of having one. After a few more days on the water, I was sold.
Winter fishing is tough, and throwing streamers in frigid conditions can go either way. We landed a few browns and drank fine whiskey, and we still froze our tails off.
The moment it proved itself was in that cold boat. When your hands are cold and your body is stiff, it is imperative to have things at your disposal and comfort right where you need it. That was an easy find once I started taking my turn behind the oars. That first trip was a single day of fishing, but I now have easily 10 plus days on the water with it.
How Does the Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench Score, Criterion by Criterion?
Performance on the water (Score: 10/10)
Performance for a row bench is about rowing efficiency and the quality of the seat as a platform. The Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench is the right size for the job, it is sturdy, and its rails keep the little things, like my whistle kit, from sliding away. That is the kind of detail that keeps a cold, busy day running smoothly. It earns a 10 from me.
Build quality (Score: 10/10)
At first glance you think you can build one yourself. Sure you can, but I guarantee it will not have the finish quality and durability this one has. The pine, the stainless hardware and the epoxy and spar varnish finish are what separate this from a weekend project.
Comfort/ergonomics (Score: 9/10)
I scored comfort a little lower, and that is on me: I have a meatless tail end and a skinny frame, and with my bony hips I am not comfortable on much of anything. Each rower is different. What I can say is that the bench has very good support and does not move, which is the part the design controls.
Ease of rigging/transport (Score: 10/10)
Rigging is straightforward, and the bench adapts to any setup thanks to the S, M, L and custom XL options. The mounting hardware is included and very well thought out, so you do not see failure down the line.
Value (Score: 8/10)
The maker lists the bench starting from $325. Go try to build one yourself and you will find it takes quite a few hours, and the quality of this one is fantastic. I feel it is top value because I would rather row and fish than build one at home. My time is limited and I have 10,000 other projects I would rather do.
Who Should Buy the Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench (and Who Should Skip It)?
Buy the Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench if you row a raft for long days, fish cold-weather floats, or share the oars with friends and want a stable, elevated seat that fits your cooler or dry box. Skip it if you want a seat with zero upkeep, because the finish wants a yearly refresh, or if you plan to build your own and enjoy the project. Read our notes on the captain's position and on fly fishing from a drift boat before deciding what height you want.
Our Pick in the FFIP Shop
We do not stock the Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench, so the maker link at the top is the place to buy it. For trailer, camp and truck gear to pair with a raft day, browse the Offroad, Overlanding and Car Camping collection; it covers the support gear around the boat, not the seat itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a row bench on a fishing raft?
A row bench is a seat for the person on the oars. It positions the rower at a set height and distance from the oarlocks so the stroke is efficient and the angler is supported during a long float.
How high should the rower's seat be on a fishing raft?
Seat height depends on your oar length, oarlock position and body. Our discussion of the captain's position and rower seat height on the FFIP blog explains the trade-offs between leverage, sightline and wind; test it at the ramp before you float.
Does the Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench fit any cooler?
Trout Boat Cap'n says its standard S, M and L sizes fit any cooler or dry box, with price tiers based on cooler capacity. Custom XL sizes mount on raft frames or span the gunnels.
Who makes the Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench?
Trout Boat Cap'n makes the Rafter Row Bench. Each one is handmade to order in Oklahoma, USA, and it starts from $325 (per maker site). Check troutboatcapn.com for current sizes and pricing.
Final Verdict
The Trout Boat Cap'n Rafter Row Bench is a killer product. Building your own takes quite a few hours and still will not match the finish, so don't waste your time trying. I would rather row and fish, and with this bench I do exactly that.
Christian's Pro Tip: I'm a nerd, but I found that putting a little Loctite on the mounts eased my mind. Otherwise, measure twice before you take action.
Tight lines, everyone!
