Driftboats

Good to the Last Cast · 03-18-2001, 07:46 AM

I've been looking into getting a driftboat,I read some of the past posts thru the search engine and I came across one post that mentioned Diamond Back driftboats out of Veneta. I have two questions the guys that have them are you still happy with them? and if so does anybody have a phone number for his shop?? Any help would be appreciated....

Thumper · 03-18-2001, 03:46 PM

Diamondback drift boats are supposed to be excellent. Sold at least by Doug's Boats in Woodinville, WA. 206-396-5380

willierower · 03-18-2001, 07:41 PM

My friend has a Diamond Back. Ive rowed it and it rows great. I will post the # here when talk to him and get it.

Salmonator · 03-18-2001, 09:58 PM

I've been rowing a Diamond Back for three years and love it. I don't think you can find a better boat for the price although I know they're not as cheap as they used to be. Call Doug @ 541-935-1242. Joe

BitBender · 03-19-2001, 09:02 AM

Humm. . . thought Alumaweld was the only drift boat out there

I did a quick search for Diamond Back, found a guy in Montana selling them. . .did a quick compare to my new Alumaweld 16 guide classic. . . .price, ammenities, trailer, et.all. . . .the Diamond Back being quoted as "for around $5k". . .my new Alumaweld was $5600, on a Rogue torsion trailer. . . .would have to say no thanks to the Diamond Back. . .

Did a lot of looking prior to buying the new Alumaweld, was originally looking for used. . .good luck there. . .the *good ones* are gone before the paper is published, new ones are also scarce this year due to low water conditions. . .

Anyway, I guess you could say it is kind of like a Chevy guy and a Ford guy trying to tell each other what is better about their trucks. . . .but with dirft boats, IMHO, Alumaweld would be more like talking Chevy vs. Jaguar. . . .

Good luck! Get a boat!! FISHON!!

Salmonator · 03-19-2001, 09:37 AM

Bbender, have you ever rowed a Diamondback? I've rowed both and would buy the DB if prices were the same. The price you saw quoted was with dealer markup. You can buy straight from the shop in Veneta for well under 4K unless things have changed drastically.

BitBender · 03-19-2001, 12:32 PM

Salmonator. . .

Nope, never rowed a DiamondBack. . .and sure. . .if you can buy them that cheap, would *have* to look at them!

Good to the Last Cast · 03-19-2001, 07:49 PM

Thanks everybody for your help,I talked to Doug today and he's sending some info up to me. I told him what I was looking for(options etc) and he gave me a very fair price......I'm leaning in that direction....Thanks again!!

Salmonator · 03-19-2001, 08:02 PM

Bender, I now realize that I wasn't comparing apples to apples. The Alumaweld I used to row had a 48" bottom so I can't compare it to your boat. I'm sure your's will row circles around that sherman tank... Joe

NorthRiverS · 03-19-2001, 09:11 PM

Good....
Have you considered a Willie? Several years ago, when I was looking for a new driftboat, I did all the looking and comparing, and I felt the Willie was the best boat by far over the others. I don't think Diamond Backs were around then. For me, it would be between Willie and Diamond Back.

[This message has been edited by NorthriverS (edited 03-19-2001).]

Steelheader69 · 03-19-2001, 09:43 PM

I'm sorry, can't let someone purposely go down the driftboat trail. You want to get yourself a good all around "driftboat", go buy yourself a cataraft!!!!!! You can do so much with them, and float rivers on near drought conditions. Then they're a kick in the pants on high water conditions. Can drift from them, plug from them, can do about anything from them.

I've had my driftboats, now I run my catarafts.......

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You haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

smilesforu · 03-19-2001, 11:11 PM

jerry jerry jerry can and should are completely different... Haven't you been looking to buy a cheap drift boat? I rest my case... At least till I have to defend it

willierower · 03-19-2001, 11:53 PM

Ok here is my opinion on aluminum drift boats. The ony one I would say stay away from is R&B. Ive had experience with Willie, Fishrite, Alumaweld and Diamond Back. All the 16x 54's row pretty much the same.
The reaso I say stay away from R&B is they dont like hitting rocks. The chines are weak.

Troutinator · 03-20-2001, 06:56 AM

I have one question about the cataraft... since fishing is something I enjoy doing with friends and family, how many people can you take with you on one? And can I plop a motor on the back and go crabbing with one?

I didn't think so....

Get a drift boat.

Artwo · 03-20-2001, 07:29 AM

GLC,
Go check out the FishRite's, I looked for over a year before I chose them and I'm glad I did. Nice well built boats at a decent price, lots of options to choose from. Here is their url http://www.fish-rite.com/

JK

superfly · 03-20-2001, 07:32 AM

Why don't you check out a Thor Built driftboat, best boat for the dollar and definately comes with the most extras for the money.
Superfly

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If you want to run with the big dawgs then get your ass off of the porch!!

Osprey · 03-20-2001, 10:56 AM

jerry jerry jerry

Did you expect anything else......if we have to explain it.......they wouldn't understand

Each boat has it's purpose
even .....Outcasts
haven't figured out what "that" is yet
maybe a party barge for a Redneck.....Os

Fishen Fool · 03-20-2001, 07:42 PM

If you are going to be fishing rocky rivers stay away from the Hyde boats. I had a brand new one follow me down the Moonshine run at 4 ft. a couple of weeks ago and I hit several rocks with my Willies with no problems but the new Hyde had a huge dent in his front chine on it's maiden voyge.

rags · 03-20-2001, 08:30 PM

I have been rowing a Alumaweld since 1980 and it handles great. My friend has a Willie that I row and I can't tell much difference.I do like the options you can get on the Willie boat. I don't think you would go wrong with either one.

willierower · 03-20-2001, 08:47 PM

Yo superfly!
How does someone get some info on thor built boats????? [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

superfly · 03-20-2001, 08:54 PM

Hey Willierower, shoot me an e-mail and then I will call you or you can call me and I will let you know all the vital stats for the thors. a totally loaded one goes for around 5500.00 or so, that is with level floors and all.
Thanks Superfly [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

DanS · 03-20-2001, 09:13 PM

S69,

Yeah, Os was just HATING fishing out of the front of my driftboat. What, with the thermos, 7 rods, a net, a propane heater, rod holders, and room to lay out all your gear ,it's really roughing it compared to fishing from a cat [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] .

We know why hey y'all got a cat, though. I mean who's going to stand in front of him and be able to relax enough to fish [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Being the miserly guy that I am, I found me a '73 Wooldridge for $850. Uprgraded to composite oars, put a 35 lb. anchor on it, rodholders, and voila', I'm fishing for just over a grand. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Of course, I don't have the amenities like 'fly and KidSauk have in their luxury rides [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img], but I don't ride very deep either.

The Thors and Willies are nice boats, I've checked out both. Nothing wrong with Alumawelds, either. Then you have glass boats.......holy crap, how's a guy supposed to decide? [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
I guess you just have to get a boat that feel right to you from somebody that treats you right, both in price and service.

Then, let the fun begin......... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Steelheader69 · 03-20-2001, 10:18 PM

Marty Marty Marty.....I was only gonna buy it if I could get a deal on it (who wouldn't buy a nice custom built driftboat cheap if they had the chance, especially if they could resell it for twice what you paid?) I rest my case. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Yeah Dan, I guess you have a point [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] until Os and I are done with the new cat of mine. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] All the storage of a driftboat, I already have a heater system designed to install, and with wider stance will have ample room for people.

Hey ya'll. You need to layer you're entire Outcast with Velcro backing. Then layer all your components (pliers, hooks, even your shrimp) with the opposite pieces of Velcro. That way you drop something it'll stick to the velcro. (looks like ya'll needs zingers attached to everything he takes with him on his cat from now on. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] )

Now, nobody can say I'm walking away from catarafts, they're my main piece of fishing equiptment!!!!! Only was looking at a driftboat if I could get a steal on it. Can't so I won't buy it....

Hey Cosmosis, how many people you can take all depends on how big of boat you get. My 16ft can carry over 1800 lbs on it. Right now I'm in process of building a new frame that will hold up to 4 people, but if need be I could go up to 5. You can add a motor and toutle around with it. You just won't get it up on plane (could you imagine a cataraft on plane Os??????). Just remember, you add a motor you have to license it (well, at least in WA you do).

Ok, I'll RESTATE this again. GO WITH A CATARAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I said that with my best cheer voice) don't want you to think I was yelling or something..... [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 03-20-2001, 11:16 PM

Good enough for me. No complaints yet, except for the lack of platform beneath the rower's feet. Lost my new lead pliers, a pack of splitshot, a hotshot, tub of sandshrimp. Thinking of making a duct tape floor, but I was going to save this roll for a very special occasion

Tanner · 03-20-2001, 11:30 PM

Since we are talking driftboats, has anyone seen the new Wild Hare driftboats. I think they are called Xstream. SWEET BOATS.
By the way, I am looking forward to getting my SOTAR 15'6" Cat tubes this week. We'll see if I still own a Willie Boat by next winter.

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Work is for people who have an expensive fishing habit to support.

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 03-21-2001, 07:08 AM

Hey DanS, also, who's going to be able to relax in their boat and fish, knowing the general lee is right behind them?

Wet_Willy · 03-21-2001, 07:25 AM

GTLC,
Back to your original question. I have had a Diamond Back for about 2 years. I got a great deal on it from Doug down in Veneta and he built it just as I asked. He also offered to make changes to it later if I wanted. Great guy to deal with. I have notice one thing about the boat that is different than Willie, Alumaweld or many others. The rocker is not as pronounced in the rear end. This is not such a big deal going downstream as it tracks extremely well and takes whitewater well. The issue is when you are ready to row back upstream to do another run. You will row a little harder since a little more of the rear end is in the water. I've rowed Alumawelds, Fishrites and Willies and this is the only major difference that I have noticed. It isn't a big deal but it I did notice it.

Wet Willy

smilesforu · 03-21-2001, 12:58 PM

Jerry I was wondering when you would read that ...hehe. One can never have to many boats [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Still looking for a drifter myself. Been leaning towards the diamond back or a good deal on a used aluminum. In no hurry

Good to the Last Cast · 03-21-2001, 06:52 PM

I had been thinking of getting a Cataraft originally but the decision I made was to get a driftboat this year and look into a shorter 1 man cat next spring,love them tax returns [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I really want to thank everybody for their opinions, someone even e-mailed me with a sweet deal on a Willie DB I feel like a kid in a candy shop,I'm waiting on some info from Diamondback before I make a choice I'll let you guys know what I got.....and Thanks [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

smilesforu · 03-21-2001, 08:21 PM

Just hit the forward button and I will help you with the willie [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

willierower · 03-21-2001, 11:47 PM

Wet Willy.
I noticed that about my friends DB also. Last time we took it out we tried moving seats a little forward. That helped a alot