Drift Boats (Sizes)

[skippy]

Looking at buying a drift boat and need some feedback on sizes. Looking for an aluminum boat that I can put a motor on. Like to float the Deschutes (multi day trips), coastal rivers, and even crab a bit. I'm leaning twords...

1) 17' x 54"
2) 17' x 60"
3) 16" X 60"

Any thoughts ?

[SeanD]

17x54 or 17x60. The extra foot in length is nice. Ive never been in a 17x60, but I definatly like the 54 better than the 48 and I hear from others that the 60" boats draft less and row nice. Get a removable rowers seat and a seat in back to run the moter off. Much more room when you take the rowers seat out to move around and store crab pots, etc.

[Drachir]

There is not a lot of difference in any of the boat sizes you posted. The overall center line length between a 16' and 17' is only about 4"-5" in most boat makers. The bottom width would be much more useful. Have you considered an 18' DB? these are usually about 17'-17 1/2' in center length. You might cosider something bigger, since you will be doing multi-day Deschutes floats. Just a suggestion. :grin: