Best drift boat for ME?

[GreshamFisher]

So I'm considering getting a drift boat, but I have very little drift boat knowledge or experience. The important things:

- Safety (wife & kids)
- Easy to maneuver and row
- Seats 3+ (including rower), preferrably 2 in front
- Durable, able to handle a newbie crashing into rocks. :smile:
- Not too expensive, no need for bells and whistles

My immediate thoughts were something like a Willie 16' wide bottom, or Clackacraft 16' wide bottom. Do I need/want a wide bottom?

Rather then just post which boat I should get, could you explain WHY I should get the boat you post?

Thanks a bunch for the help on this.

Kurt

[Fish-n-Fever]

Take a look at the lavro drifters and watch the video.

Ron

[Keta]

Get a heavy hammer and a ballpeen hammer. In the area of the leak, back up the rivet on the outside with the heavy hammer and set the rivets by lightly tapping them with the ballpeen hammer. Do quite a large area around the leak.

[MacEFL]

Whats up with that Keta? Two screens open at once?

[KChookem]

In a basic 16-ft DB, I would look for a good value, and not so much on brand name or even aluminum vs fiberglass. I would not get a wooden DB, only because of the maintenance required to keep looking great.

There are subtle differences between makes and models, but if a person has little or no experience, how would you know? Much like the Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge debate - personal preference, or do not know any different. Besdies, 99% of the water that 99% of us fish, any quality DB will do fine.

Wide bottom give you more lift, so are a little easier to row, perhaps a bit more stable, and that would be plus factor.

Re: safety ... all DB are essentially the same design. All can be a bit cumbersome when crawling over seats, tackle, and other stuff lying around. Because the sides are flared up & out, reaching over the side makes one a little off balanced.

Aluminum is colder and noiser, but you sure have the perception of "rock solid". Lots of accesories for Alum, and if you want to add something, just drill a hole.

Once aluminum is dented, it is dented. I've never noticed a dent in fiberglass, probably because they flex some.

Things to evaluate:
Anchor Pulling/ Release System
Motor to be Used?
Storage (dry storage, fish box, net, rods)
Adjustable seats (forward & back, and side-to-side for passenger; rowing seat adjustable)
Backs on seats?
Adjustable Oar Locks?
Type of Oars (wood, composite, plastic)
Trailer
Accessories like anchor(s), rod holders, PFD's, bos anchor puller, side trays, spare oar, spare traielr tire, etc.

[GreshamFisher]

Thanks for the info guys.. hopefully this will help me be an informed buyer.

[Salmon Stryker]

I think you are on the right track with the 16' Willie wide bottom. Aluminum and especially Willie will have a little better re-sale if you ever want to trade up or something.

I have a 16x48. I've rowed 16x54's and 18x60's and think both of the bigger boats are just as easy or easier to row because they run a little shallower. The wider bottom does give you a more stable feeling as well.

That being said though any drift boat that you find a good deal on you would probably be happy with as a newbie. And whatever you buy you will always see something nicer that you wish you had. But the real happiness is getting out and drifting down a coastal stream on a brisk winter morning, navigating though a little whitewater, enjoying the scenery and getting your hooks into a steelhead or two. :cheers:

[Soul Harvest]

Don't know if you are still taking opinions or not, but here are mine. Whatever you get, get the wide bottom. There is a ton of difference between the 48 and the 54, with the 54 being much easier to row because it sits higher in the water (more displacement with the wider bottom). Wood is beautiful, but the maintenance is a killer. Plastic boats are slicker,don't stick to rocks, and row easier, but I think they are harder to control because of the slickness. I have owned all three and currently have an Alumaweld 16x54, high side. My brother has a similar Willie, but of the new design with lower sides and a little less rake. They both handle about the same - his is prettier because it has paint.

[pescado mucho]

go to the Lavro website, watch the video...

Fiberglass is tougher.. Better for a newbie.

[Fishen Fool]

Fiberglass is tougher?????

[jimh]

Watch the video. It is impressive. But, I still bought a Willie! :yay:

[riverraider]

As you can guess, cost is relative. If you mean $3000 look for a good used aluminum boat, and don't worry about hittin the rocks. In general, they track a little better and have better resale. If you mean $5000 range, call Willie and get the 17 foot guide model they have as a special. You get the fish box and stuff you need. what you may not know is that the 17 Willie rows much better than the 16. A little less rocker and a more stable boat. The 16 pivots faster and is a little more sports-car-ish. Most guides (and me) like the 17 a little more for most fishing. It tends to stay where you put it better (like an Alumaweld) but feels much lighter on the oars. An awesome boat.