Driftboat advice needed

[C-lice]

I plan to buy a driftboat in the next few months. I have ridden in other peoples' driftboats several times, and I have run my pontoon boat and my duck hunting rowboat quite a bit. These have led me to two conclusions:

1.) I am a chicken. I don't have the desire to run any nasty rapids.

2.) I am a below-average oarsman.

3.) I want to side drift.

This being the case, I wonder what some of you experienced boaters would recommend. I've seen on other threads and other websites that a good fiberglass boat is as durable (if not more so) than an aluminum. Then again, I see A LOT more aluminum driftboats than fiberglass.

What would be best for an inexperienced driftboater who won't be shooting the Chick-a-nout narrows any time soon?

[Corkie Monster]

Not an expert on this topic either, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that a Glass boat is better for shallow/low water. Glass is also quieter. But I beleive Aluminum is the strongest of the two materials. If your looking for a nice easy drift, Dabney to Lewis & Clark State Park on the Sandy is a nice easy drift.

CM

[skrimmy]

CM, uh, that would be a bit of a drive from Roseburg! :grin: But, none the less, it is an easy drift, as is from Mills to Sollie on the Wilson. Anybody from down South have an easy drift to suggest in that area?
C-Lice, good luck with the DB.

[Amahnee]

I am no expert, but have a very strong opinion that aluninum is your best choice. You can't pound dents out of fiberglass! Someday you will grow your drifting wings and want to fish some technical water. It's fun & exciting, it builds confidence in one's self. Find someone who can show you the way to read water and run it. If you know that you will never run any whitewater, don't waste your money on the expense of a driftboat. Stick with what you have.

[Corkie Monster]

OOOOps, I guess the sandy would be a bit of a drive. :grin: I've seen the river a few times from I-5 in Roseburg, (Umpqua I beleive) That looks like a easy stretch of water, at least from what I can see from the freeway.

CM

[ampersat]

For your purposes, consider an Alumaweld Alumadrifter. They have a wide stern and can take up to a 15hp motor. They are not very common on the market but they do come around from time to time. In fact, there was one for sale on the board not long ago.

They're a compromise boat that I think would fall well within your needs. They aren't built for technical or big water and they don't pull plugs well if you're on the sticks. However, pair it up with a 24volt electric and keep the oars along for negotiating the shoots and shallows and I think you'll have exactly what you need for exactly what you want to do.

[Grantspastor]

I think aluminum is the best all around choice. Any of the big name manufacturers make good boats. The North Umpqua is not for the faint of heart. I haven't fished the South fork so don't know much. There are stretches of the main Umpqua that have mild whitewater, but some have serious rapids. The Rogue is a good river to learn on (in places). When you get your boat, get in touch via e-mail, and I can show you how to row, and a place or two to fish. If I buy another drift boat, (and according to my wife I won't) I think I'd get a Willie.

[speyfly]

Having owned wood, glass and metal the aluminum is hard to beat. An easy float just out side of Roseburg is from the Forks to Cleveland rapid takeout. Very easy and Clevaland Rapid is not a rapid in the sense of the word. It has been many years since I have floated that section but stay to the right side of the river (Cleveland)and you'll have no problems. The take out is just below on the gravel bar.

[ 02-21-2004, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: speyfly ]

[willierower]

Buy an inexpensive used aluminum boat to learn with. Then jump up to a new boat.

If you plan on doing a bunch of side drifting get a 17 or 18 foot drifter. Im running a 16 footer now and I wish I had a lot bigger boat.

As for rowing, Time on th water is what you need to make you a better rower. Ive been rowing for close to 10 years now and I still dont have any desire to run any nasty rapids. I stay away from rivers whith any really crazy stuff. Though I have ran some stuff that people have sauid was really bad without any problems.

[freespool]

For your neck of the woods I'd go down to Elkton,lots of boat ramps and no major rapids. I agree with Grantspastor,aluminum all the way. You could save a lot of money if you buy used,just a thought.


salmon hugger

[C-lice]

Thanks for all the great info! I actually don't fish the Umpqua a whole lot this time of year...yet. Most of my winter fishing is on the smaller coastal rivers. But summers and springers will be a whole 'nother story when I have a boat.

[BUGLEMAN]

Good question,

By a good used AL boat. It most likely will sell for what you paid for it even years down the road.

My first thought was an Alumadrifter for you too. They run about $3,000 and up.

[IDFishrite]

I like willierower's idea of getting a used boat to start out.I have owned three boats in the past seven years.A 15x48 Dominion glass,16x54 Clackacraft glass and my current 17x54 Fish-rite aluminum.The glass boats do have advantages like warmth,stealth(much more quiet than aluminum)and they will flex to a certain degree.Also,no gluv-it or"bottom coating" is needed.The Clackacraft that I had was a semi-low profile(less freeboard)model and was great in the wind and for getting in and out of.It also had a ton of room and good storage capabilities.As for the handling,they do handle like a dream and are very forgiving for the novice stick-handler.The drawback with the low-pro was big water,which I do enjoy with my current metal barge but would never attempt in the Clackacraft.Bottom-line,starting with a used boat is a great idea,glass or aluminum.It's a bunch less stressful when you thump the rocks and is great for the pocket book.