Drift Boat/Motor Well

[baytroller]

Anyone with actual experience rowing and using a motor with a driftboat/motor well setup compared to experience with standard drift boat and motor set up? Do you give up more than you gain? I have rowed several drift boats and used motors off the end. Thanks
Baytroller

[Lockjaw]

Yes ,i'v got an 1988 alumaweld with a moter well in it. I orderd it this way. If I had to do it again, I'd leave it out. IT would row better (less drag)and more room in back. Its nice to trowl with, but if you put your moter on the back,and take out the rower seat. You have more room.Why do I keep mine? :rolleyes: I just can't sell an old friend :grin:

L J

[ 01-17-2003, 07:11 AM: Message edited by: lockjaw ]

[Flatfish]

If you want a motor on a drifter, get a longshaft. Motor wells make rowing much harder than it needs to be due to increased drag. It can be done, I have. But the effort is easily double what it would be without.

With springer season on the horizon, I have to face the facts again- I have a driftboat. Driftboats row pretty well. They do not troll very well.

Mark and the dog.

[SouthCoastStu]

I have a motor well in my DB. I've got a block-out piece that slides over the transom and bottom cut-out that bolts into place if I'm going to be rowing in the river (no motor). With the block-out in, I haven't noticed any significant resistance, but there's probably a litttle. It's real hard to row upstream without the block out in, I've done it a few times rowing in tide water with the motor on.

My advice would be to not go with the full motor well if you plan on doing major rowing (i.e. back bouncing) with the motor on the boat. I see a lot of guys running electrics in the rivers now, looks like a good way to go.

The only advantage to the well is the weight distribution while trolling in tide water. The well makes a nice wet fish box when on the river.

Hope this helps.

[Barviewrocks]

You may also consider the now discontinued Aluma Drifter which was made by Alumaweld. The one I have trolls well with a 15 hp long shaft on the end and a couple of wind socks. Drifting is okay although I do not have much to compare against. I usually drift the upper Deschutes (no rough water) and coastal rivers and lakes.