drift boats

dampainter · 07-30-2001, 08:32 PM

ok , ya I am addicted to this steelhead/ salmon thing and have not even caught anything YET, but now that I live around it I must partake.....so am wondering about these drift boats.... I am on the bank for now and am thinking about getting on the water.Are they worth it? what are the pros and cons? Which make/model? I don't flyfish at least not yet.I plan on getting to know the deschutes.....yep you know it, ROOKIE BIG TIME.thanks in advance

Hookset · 07-30-2001, 10:02 PM

If I could only start with one boat, it'd be a drift boat. For our waters, a drift boat will take you more places. The rivers, lakes and bays all become your play grounds with a drift boat.

The basic 16 x 54" is pretty standard now. Personaly, I like a little lnoger boat in a 17 footer. Now I'm told a few boats are made 16' x 56" or was it 16' x 58", can't remember. I'm told these new wider boats row nice, the cats meow.

Click on the Willie banner at the top of the page, they make a really nice quality drift boat.

best of luck,

Gregg

KrystalFlash · 07-31-2001, 01:15 AM

We're going to have a 16' Smoker Drifter(aluminum) for sale here in about a month...maybe less. Good Sawyer oars, rope seat(new) Anchor system, front anchor bracket, Fish-on rod holders, custom trailer- heavy-duty axle. All lights work. Let me know if you're interested..

[ 07-31-2001: Message edited by: KrystalFlash ]

NEUTRON · 07-31-2001, 06:16 AM

Listen up to Krystal Flash, for starting out
a used boat with all the gadgets could save you some bucks... Fishin Mission mentioned he was selling one as well. I agree with Hook that A driftboat with optional kicker will open up a lot of water with the least cost to your pocket book.

rags · 07-31-2001, 08:14 AM

I've owned a driftboat for over 30 years and just got my first sled. Would never give up my db. Good advice. Buy a good used aluminum boat and see if you really enjoy this type of fishing. If so upgrade later. Make sure you go with someone to show you how to row on a easy river and work your way up to more difficult one. Learn db river etiquette!

Pete · 07-31-2001, 08:28 AM

Do a search of the board for several really good drift boat threads over the last year ... great information hidden in the archives of Ifish.

There is nothing like a drift boat. They open up so much water, provide so much pleasure ... but it's really important to know how they work and what their limits are, too.

When I got my first drift boat a good friend gave me a rule which I still follow: "Never take your boat out in new water without first having someone who knows it take you down it".

Water like the Deschutes can be deceptive, so learning it from someone who knows it is important, but it also gives you an excuse to plan a trip with a friend.

Good luck with your adventure into boating. If you do decide to get a driftboat, I'd be surprised if you ever regret it.

ampersat · 07-31-2001, 08:33 AM

i'm sort of in the market for a boat myself and looked long and hard at drift boats. the main downside for me is shuttling back up to pick up the rig with the trailer. i have a hard time getting a few friends together to fish as it is so i'm thinking it would be hard to get two friends together at the same time to make a run in the boat. on the other hand, once you have the boat, you'll probably make more than enough friends to run the boat whenever you want. the other downside is that a drift boat doesn't move very fast with a motor on it. you will never get the boat on plane, no matter how big a motor you put on it. rowing around on the 'no motor' lakes is a plus but the high profile of the boat in the wind is a downside.

myself, right now i'm looking at aluminum v-hulls in the 14-16 foot range. however, a drift boat is never too far behind in the running. from reading the posts here for the last four months, you're guaranteed not to like your first boat for some reason so something used, cheap, and fairly well outfitted already is the best way to go.

good luck!! how about taking me out in it with you when you get it?? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Sand Shrimp · 07-31-2001, 10:47 AM

A driftboat will give you access to a lot of more water but it won't bring instant fishing success, you still need to have the skill and knowledge to catch fish which will take time on the water and reading this board and books on the subject will help.
These guys are right about buying a used boat first to find out what you want in a boat before buying a new one.

SteelieSteve · 07-31-2001, 12:48 PM

A driftboat lets you cover so much more water and greatly increases your chances of finding fish. I've fished both ways and I tell ya you can get into lot's more fish floating than standing on the bank. Plus you can use it in lakes and the bays. I've seen a few 20 plus fish days while drifting and hard to say that about bankfishing.

Master Baiter · 07-31-2001, 01:19 PM

Rowing a DB down a moving river is not as easy as it may look. There are a lot of dangers that require you to know how to read water and pre-plan accordingly. I would suggest getting a book on rowing a DB first. I have seen them at Amazon and know Amato has one also. I had some confidence from white water rafting but I got a book when I first got my boat and was surprised by alot of things that I read that I had not even thought about apriori.

O'City Fisherman · 07-31-2001, 02:20 PM

Dampainter, www.clackacraft.com.
Go to this site and then go to learing to row. This has some very helpfull ideas. I know that I have been there and it has helped me learn a few things. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Drachir · 07-31-2001, 04:13 PM

I've owned a Drift Boat for most of my Adult life, and been rowing them for 30 years. It takes time to learn how to be proficient on the sticks, take a piece of advice learn from someone who knows what they are doing. I'm sure you could find plenty of qualified I-Fishers who would be willing to help you out, myself included.
I agree with all the above posts, a DB is a great place to start. Get one and send me an e-mail if I can be of assistance..
[img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Tilla · 07-31-2001, 05:39 PM

I am like Rags, owned a DB for a bunch of years and recently got a sled, could not part with the DB though. It is a very universal tool, oars or kicker, gas or electric. I still disagree about the name Driftboat, it seems I do more rowing than drifting. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

SandySteel · 07-31-2001, 08:27 PM

My first boat was a drift boat . I got lucky and picked up a used Koffler for a lot less than a new one.
Upsides
more access to more fishing water
quiet
Downsides
Fishing becomes more complicated
shuttling
requires plenty of experience (ie can be dangerous in the wrong hands)

Now that I own one I would never go back.
Check out http://www.kofflerboats.com/ I think they are some of the best rowing boats around.

OK here comes another plug. If you are looking for a way to get started in learning how to fish I would check out the Northwest Steelheaders. They often have new angler workshops as well as fishing trips to help fellow anglers get out on the stream. My chapter, for instance will be holding a spinner making seminar at our next meeting in September as well as a bank fishing fishing trip at the end of the month. You can also get the opportunity to row some other guys boats at times to help you make a decision. Click on the link below in my signature for more information.

[ 07-31-2001: Message edited by: SandySteel ]

FishinMission · 07-31-2001, 11:51 PM

Yes..it's true...I have a really nice one for sale...if you're interested in the details...E-Mail me. Mark

fishwish · 08-01-2001, 09:10 PM

I baught my first driftboat 1.5 years ago,a 14ft clackacraft for 1300. I realy enjoy rowing ,drifting the local rivers although I still dont catch a ton of fish I;v caught a few. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Vinny · 08-02-2001, 08:17 AM

dp,
Yeah, what he (fishwish) said. Don't fall into the category (I heard it from a Texan) "Big hat, no cattle." In our area it would be "Fancy boat, no fish!"
On the other hand, sounds like a good family activity. Would she really row while you fish?
I liked Tilla's remark about more rowing than drifting!
Do you know the "threshold of success" when it's staring you in the face (or is it just wishful thinking)?
Talk to you soon,
Vinny

[ 08-02-2001: Message edited by: Vinny ]

08-02-2001, 07:58 PM

Started with a 12 foot wood driftboat and up to a 16 foot Alum. driftboat. Traded it in on my first big boat. Missed it so bad, had to have one again, real soon, for all the reasons noted above.

Used boats are fine, unless they want almost as much as a new one for it, which pretty much was the case when I went looking. Check out the trailer as well. With any boat, a marginal working or broken trailer and you are not fishing either.

Sometimes the dealer "package specials" are within the same price range as the used deals, (avoid the 100 buck "beaters" in my opinion) of course unless you find a used "it's gotta go cheap deal."

Decided to buy a new 16 foot Willie package when it was on special.

If you have never rowed, hire a good guide, tell him fish would be nice, but you want the day to be boat handling instructional.

There are many good ones listed on IFISH.

Pete - did you use yours for bluefish at Pax River? LOL? Just kidding. Saw your Nehalem post. Been there dude. You just want to lay in the fetal position for a while after a day like that.

[ 08-02-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]

Pete · 08-02-2001, 08:07 PM

Nook, I did curl up in the fetal position, threatened to sell my boat and quit fishing. But a little self-pity and a few words of encouragement put me back on my fish-every-day-for-a-week quest while my wife and daughter are visiting the mother-in-law. Sooo....I've rerigged the rods, built the sandwiches, ordered the bait and I'll be on the water for the B10 circus when the sun rises tomorrow. The rest of the week will probably be closer to home. If I put the big stink on B10, I may be back in the ol' fetal thing for quite a while.

08-02-2001, 08:28 PM

Nah. Can't believe you guys even deal with the B10 drill, but you gotta' love it. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Too many B10 trips and too old I guess. Love and need the peace (sometimes it ain't peaceful when the crazies arrive) of sitting on the anchor, limits or no limits.

Like sittin' on the most awesome back porch in the world waiting for the rod to bend over and start screaming.

Hope you and everyone hammer's em. Leave some Chinook quota for us upriver whimps,
OK?