Drift Boat Shopping

[steelhead_fishn]

Can anyone suggest the best place to go look at many different types of drift boats. I probally won't purchase a boat till the sportsman show, or possibly a used one, but I want to look at as many models as possible. My exposure to drift boats is pretty limited. Basically looking for a boat that can hold 3-4 people, mabey a heater for my wife(if not it's not a deal breaker). I would prefer a wider bottom because I'm a fairly big guy, and a bit clumsy:)

Jeff

[6wapiti6]

Ask people for thier opinion. If you are looking at aluminum models, I think you'll find that many are very similar. They just have subtle changes that you wouldn't even know about by just looking. I think fiberglass models will have more variation in style, but I never really looked at them as I had my mind made up on aluminum. I have a 16ft alumaweld guide classic. Does well on the rivers and handles an 8hp motor great. Have had 4 in there, but three is just right to fish. Good luck.

[Dr Strangelove]

email gizmo; he has one glass & one aluminum DB for SALE.

[steelhead_fishn]

I want an aluminem boat. No real technical reason why, I just like the aluminem look better. Anyone have good links to boat manufacturers with decent pages? So far I've found..

http://www.alumaweldboats.com/
http://www.fishrite.com/
http://www.kofflerboats.com
http://www.northriverboats.com/

I tried to go to Willie's page because I've seen some on the water and liked them, but the webpage is horrid! For you folks with drift boats, are there any features that you consider MUST HAVES? Also I know that the oars are a fairly important piece of the boat :smile: What kind of oars should I look at? I would rather just buy a decent pair I'll keep for a while instead of buying cheap first.

Thanks,

Jeff

[Corkie Monster]

I found a 14'9" diamond back driftboat. Its ready to fish. They want $3,000 for it. Do you think it's worth it? I don't know much about them, but it appears to be in good shape, Has lots of storage, 3 oars, ancor system, trailor, and some extra junk tackle and fishing tools laying around. What do ya think????? :whazzup:

[Gus Orviston]

Sounds like a deal.

You measure a driftboat down the length of the side wall. My Alumaweld DB 16'x54" is actually 14'9" in a straight line from bow to stern, so what your looking at is most likely a 16'.

They are measured differently because that is the length of plank it took to make the older Mckenzie style DBs and it just stuck.

Also look for my post on what is important in a drift boat and a couple others. There is some good threads on Ifish about it.

[ 10-21-2002, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Gus Orviston ]

[ampersat]

you know, a lot of folks here have driftboats and digicams. post what you want to see and i'll be glad to post pics of what mine has. i'll bet most folks here would too. just let us know.

[skein]

Luthian,

Take a drive to Medford (actually White City) where you can look at some of the major manufacturers all in short order. Willie is there, along with Fishrite and Alumaweld, and if memory serves me, even another builder. You can usually get a tour and look at some in the production stages. That's what I did, except living up here in Sweet Home I even took a side trip to the Koffler factory. I spent a whole day walking and talking and looking and it was not only kinda fun, it was time well spent. In fact by the time I was done I *knew* which boat I was going to buy.

And you want to know which one that was? Heh, heh, heh, I can't say because I don't want to start a war. Oh, I could be bribed, but it would take something extra special to get the truth out of me. One of Jennie's pies might work, or a fishing trip. Try me ..... :grin:

Skein

[Corkie Monster]

Any idea where I can find those thresds Gus? Thanks so far :grin:

[Plum Crazy]

Tip of the Rod to ya,
I search for almost a year and finally went with a used 16x54 alum. I wanted new but in the end I found that most used boats give you more for less. If you total out the basic boats and them add all the half to haves the price goes up quick. The Ready to fish adds you see are not realistic. In the alum. I liked the River Wolf for basic boat and price. But I was sold on the Clacka 17' steelheader. Very nice and a true lifetime warrenty on anything that breaks. But in the end you probably can find a great drifter in alum. ready to rock for a lot less.....Any hoooo
Fire

[Flatfish]

Wood,glass,or metal.I have and will fish again out of each one.Glass is a better summer run thing.Wood sure is pretty.Aluminum takes almost zero upkeep.They all can do water that will scare you to run :shocked: .You can catch fish from any of them.I can argue almost any option as nice/necessary.I can argue design too.The fish don't care and neither should you.Pick one you like in your price range and plop the money down.It may be your first but it probably wont be your last.
I bought mine on a Friday nite in Woodland.Rigged the trailer lites to work on my clunky dakota and drove to Pacific City that nite.The next day my wife caught a 25# hen on the Nestucca.
That said look up your subject in the archives and read on.Lots of good info there.
Mark and the camo gladiator dog.

[Kim Katsion]

WILLIE!!!!!! I know people that went from a Willie to something else and are not happy! I love my Willie and will never change. 16x54 is perfect for three people, and really no more. If you wait you can ususally get a good deal on used ones, you just need to look at the ads and tell your friends and have the cash on hand when ones becomes available.

I bought a second used one for $2,700 and turned around and sold it for $3,250, such a deal for me and the person who bought it.

Good luck to ya. Kim

[SteelieSteve]

You can find driftboats in the Ifish classifieds all the time. I've been in 3 different aluminum boats and every owner was happy with theres. Spent most of my driftboat time in a 16' Fishrite and liked it very well. You can pick up a good used boat for as little as $2500. I know most of the people on Ifish talk up Willies but both Koffler and Fishrite are very good boats. Watch the boat classifieds in the Oregonian for a good deal too.

[O'City Fisherman]

I have seen that you want an Alum DB. I have also read that you want a little bit wider?

If this is what you are looking for and want to see a really nice DB go down to Highway 212 and look at the Clackacraft. These boats are running 16x58 instead of 16x54. Also they have a new tunnel hull for rowing ease. The price is not to bad for it also. Besides that you do not have to drive 8 hours to look at other places. I like the fiberglass because in the winter and it is B--- cold out there you are not in a frozen alum boat.

This is my 2 cents. I have been researching all DB for the past year and I am ordering the new Guide Salmon/Steelhead model this Spring.

[Big Willie]

Luthian, Willie is a good choice. I can say that because I have rowed other boats and they just don't handle as nice...for me anyway.
Some must haves include dry storage, clear coat inside finish and the 4 pulley anchor system. A front anchor mount is nice, you can add that at any time when the time comes. Mine came with Sawyer wood oars and when they wear out will get another pair. They are very comfy, light and very well balanced. The wood looks nice too.
Gary

[steelhead_fishn]

Thank's for all of the advice guys. Even though I said I only wanted aluminem, the Clackacraft's look real nice. I like ampersat's idea about posting pics. If anyone has a free moment could you post a picture of your drift boat, and what you love about it?

Jeff

[steelhead_fishn]

Some good threads for other's using this as research...
Boat Options:
http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010860
Oars:
http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008857
Boats in general:
http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=015295
Smore boats in general:
http://www.ifish.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=014928#000000
Drift Boat newbies:
http://www.ifish.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=014765#000000
And one last general drift boat link:
http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=012557

Jeff

[Gus Orviston]

Looks like Luthian covered them all!