Help me decide

blacktail · 03-01-2004, 05:25 PM

I sold my 18' SuperVee a couple months ago, and I am having boat withdrawals even though I wasn't able to use it that much.

I had recently decided I needed to get another (cheaper) sled. Then, I went on a trip with Fishin Magician (John) in his drift boat and really enjoyed myself.

I am now contemplating possibly buying a drift boat. I still have my 6 horse Yamaha kicker which I thought I could mount on a drifter and use it for Willamette springers and tidewater in the Fall, then take the motor off and use the boat as a drifter on the smaller rivers.

I have never owned a drift boat before, so keep that in mind.

Whatcha' think? Drifter or sled, and why??

Thanks in advance for all input.

Mike

driftboater · 03-01-2004, 05:34 PM

I ended up buying a driftboat for the versatility. Plus it got me on the water for a lot less $$ than you can put in a sled. I used my boat for all the reasons you are thinking of using it for. I put lots of springers in the boat fishing the Willy near sellwood bridge. I could lauch right there under the bridge and be fishing within minutes. It was a great boat on anchor in the Columbia for URB's. Clackamas for steelies. You can go anywhere with a DB.

hope this helps....

Drachir · 03-01-2004, 05:36 PM

I think a DB would be great for you, however they do have their limitations. Pretty tough to drift a river by yourself, and can't go back upriver. But, DB's are very versatile and cost a lot less, especially if you won't use it very often. I have owned 3 DB's and can't wait to get another one. Good Luck!! :smile:

ampersat · 03-01-2004, 06:15 PM

After seeing what the weather did to all my hard work on the woodwork on my drifter, I went through a "boat crisis". The gears in my head were spitting metal shavings and smoke as I thought about selling it and getting an aluminum sled or some other kind of boat. After the smoke cleared, I did some searching here on Ifish and in my heart.

A drifter is one of the cheapest boats you can own, buck for buck, for the fishing you'll get out of it. A few bucks for a shuttle now and then if you want to float by yourself or a single buddy is probably cheaper than the gas you'd spend hauling up and down the river in a sled. Two front seaters and the trip only costs you a buck or two in the rigs to shuttle yourselves. Not to mention you'll bust a shoe now and again with that sled. You can do tidewater, bays and the Big C (on a good day, and do you really want to be out there when the weather turns bad no matter how big the boat?).

I say go for it. You can pick up a drifter in good shape for $3k and you won't feel bad when you mow around it a half a dozen times without having taken it out.

RogueFishr · 03-01-2004, 06:57 PM

I have a drift boat and a sled. If I had to get rid of one, I would keep the drift boat. They both have their pluses and minuses, but overall, I would pick the drift boat as my first choice.

My .02

RF

Amahnee · 03-01-2004, 07:50 PM

You can't drop a sled over the guard rail and rope it down the bank like a drifter. Shuttle money is well worth the quiet. I think you get closer to the water in a driftboat, grounded I mean. They are so versatile! Any water, any time.

husker · 03-01-2004, 08:23 PM

i have a vhull right now....and i am lookig at buying a DB.....just because i cant fish most steelhead waters during the winter ......i need the DB to do the stuff the vhull cant....just the facts man.....

however just think about the times u fish say frenchmens bar and the run u have to make out there....how long does it take in a DB?....u can still make it there but it takes some time

there is no perfect boat for all occasions....but there is a boat that will meet most of your needs.... :grin: :grin: ..maybe u need 2 just like me.... :grin: :grin:

Flatfish · 03-01-2004, 08:25 PM

Buy a pontoon for floating the coast. Much easier to launch/ retrieve. Easier rowing in technical water than any drifter. Capable of getting away from some of the crowds caused by the driftboat armada when the rivers run green. All for about 500 bucks.

Then get a 14-16' Alaskan with a 25HP prop for lazy( twist the throttle, not row harder, for speed) productive fishing.

I miss my drifter for about 6 or 8 weeks a year. But not enough to consider buying another.

Mark and the lazy fishing dog.

willierower · 03-01-2004, 08:42 PM

Buy my boat, slap your kicker on it for Tidewater fishing and use the Minn Kota for up in the rivers side drifting, back bouncing and lazy man plugging!

Ive used my boat everywhere! And I mean everywhere, from trolling Kokes to catching Sea bass in the bay. With a gas motor I can fish almost all the slower moving waters. With the Electric I can side drift better then a sled. Plus I can pull up the motor and use the oars to pull plugs.

Forget about running back up river, Just float the drift twice. Ive been doing that alot lately and its paying off big time.

FishinTechnician · 03-02-2004, 06:13 AM

If I was limited to just one boat it would be a 17' driftboat. Probably an Alumaweld guide model. With the number of launching ramps now on the Willamette and Columbia you don't have to run far to wherever you want to fish. I used a big Lavro for years for everything and never felt constrained because of the boat. It trolled great and river fished at anchor well. We just came back from the Forks area where three of us fished out of the 17' guide model mentioned above and it handled very well despite the fact that the boat was loaded heavy. I assume your kicker is a long shaft. If so it will get you where you need to go. Good Luck!

ampersat · 03-02-2004, 06:38 AM

There's a 16' Clackacraft that just showed up on the For Sale board. The rear pedestal seat looks perfect for running with a kicker.

rola76 · 03-02-2004, 08:05 AM

Good thread...I think there are a lot of factors involved in such a decision.

1. What "type" of water do you fish most often? If the answer is fast/shallow water, then I driftboat would be ideal. If you need to make long runs in larger rivers, a sled offers more security. Also, do ALL the rivers you fish allow sleds?

2. What is your budget? If money is no issue, get a sled!! Your kicker will still be valuable. If you're pinched a bit, get a drifter...you can't go wrong with that either.

3. Do you have any friends with either type? My best buddy has a Hyde drifter and I have my sled, so we're set virtually for any type of water/fishing. We're a pretty solid team, and 9 out of 10 times I go fishing it's with him (or my dad who also has a boat).

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ANY BOAT IS A GOOD BOAT!

IronNoggin · 03-02-2004, 10:02 AM

We use a LifeTimer drifter up here, on the Stamp, the Sproat and several other systems. Jets can get you back up the flow, but at a substantially increased cost. The drifter is quite versitile, we've even rapelled it down into canyons that at first glance, appear beyond access! Coupled with a 15 horse yammy (with 9.9 decals of course

) it has proven itself time and time again. If I had to choose between it and a jet, I'd definitely go with the drift boat. Besides, I happen to like the QUIET ride :grin:

Just this man's HO.
Nog

SHOUGALNITE · 03-02-2004, 10:08 AM

I have a db and friends with sleds. If you want to save money go with a db. It is easier to get around. You can also go places where nobody likes to go. Those are my favorite places, the dangerous ones that nobody dares.

Twitchs_Tackle · 03-02-2004, 12:38 PM

BOTH! Get a cheap(er) sled, and a decent drift boat! They both have thier uses, might as well have them both! :grin: Drifters are quite, but sleds are fast... and can be used for uses such as ocean or the Big C.

Salmon Stryker · 03-02-2004, 01:11 PM

You'll have more fun in drifter.

River Ranger · 03-02-2004, 06:03 PM

I have a drifter and love it but if I could afford a sled thats what I would buy.You can get out in the ocean in a sled or fish the mouth of the columbia.I do fish up and down in the Columbia it's just hard to get anywhere fast.You could run the clack for steelies in the winter.From about April through november I would find a sled more useful.just my opinion
R.R.

blacktail · 03-03-2004, 05:58 AM

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the drifter is the popular choice thus far.

Anybody else?

Thanks,
Mike

night stocker · 03-03-2004, 06:27 AM

Selling your sled?I would never do that,unless I was to buy a bigger one.I also have a drift boat,but for me,my sled gets it done.Anywhere,anytime and 24\7 it's ready to go.Yes,it is cheaper to own a DB,but the drifter would be the first boat to go.I just have more fun in the sled.My advice,since your asking,is get a good used sled.I have seen a bunch on this board that were affordable.Then go with John a few times a year.Db's are a good fishing craft,but like somebody said, a sled will get you in the ocean.

Silver Eagle · 03-03-2004, 06:28 AM

We have a Sled in the Lean too, a 26 foot in the shop and two drift boats in the yard. I don't know which is best because they are all in the yard. Make sure what ever you get, YOU USE IT...I can't wait to get back from Mexico by then Halibut will be ready to Open....Maybe a little bill fishing in Mex. Just Use It. Ray