Driftboat Question

[Catcherman]

I have been looking for a new drift boat for a while now. Being a previous boat owner I have an idea on what I am looking for. I have read the discussions on driftboats from the board in the past. Currently I am looking at 2 boats #1 willie, #2 north rivers new drift boat. In one of the past articles on driftboats I heard a lot of discussion on diamond back boats and their performance. Quite a few didnt like the overall performance of the diamondback even though they are a nice boat. Does any one out there own a North river drift boat and is so does any know how they compare (handle under weight) to the willie??

[Flatfish]

Catch,
I dunno about the NR drifter.But I have rowed a few and for all practical purposes they are all more capable than thwe guy on the sticks.Different models will handle differently.The boat that I have rowed that would handle heavy loads best was a tank to try to pull plugs with.Mine is a Willie that has relatively low sides and is pretty flat(not much rocker).I pull plugs quite a bit and it is a wonderful boat for my purposes.Have had it in heavy waterclass 4/5)and buried the bow in rollers.I have never felt the boat was a handicap.I guess what I am trying to say is buy what you want.If it works for you then swell.It does not have to please me.Have fun with the new toy.
See you on the water.
Mark.

[John]

I have owned two Willie drift boats a 16X48 and a 16X54. I have rowed glass boats, wood boats, and Alumaweld drift boats. The Willie is by far the best drift boat on the market, and I mean bar none. One thing I think one hqs to look at is how long has North River been building drift boats, not very. Willie invented the aluminum drift boat. The boats that I had had a very good rocker. They handled white water very well. I took my Willie from Beavertale to the mouth of the Deschutes several time with gear and it handled great. Futhermore, I own a Alumaweld sled and would not consider buying anything but a Willie drift boat. Besides they are a heck of alot cheaper then the NorthRiver. Like Willie puts on all of his boats, "Simply the Best."

[kampy]

You may e mail Crabait. He's got info on drift boats and he may still have one For sale.

[chuck 'n' duck]

I'm a bit biased because I own a Willie (17x54). I have only seen one NR drift boat on the river. It was brand spankin' new, and it was banging into every exposed rock on the river. The damned thing was even going sideways down rapids (and sometimes backwards). Sure didn't look like it handled well. Now that I think about it, the guy without a clue on the sticks might have had something to do it :grin: .

CnD

[NEUTRON]

Catcherman, you said you were a previous boat owner. Was it a driftboat? Knowing where I launch and run mine (slides & low water etc), I don't see much advantage in buying new. Shopping around for a well equipped used one would seem to be a good option. I've paddled different makes and I would not rule out fiberglass. Try em all if your spending the big bucks. Save your cash for rods and tackle.

[Dan9113]

I don't think that the boat had anything to do with that NR going down sideways and backwards. Remember them looking at the boat on the trailer later searching for holes. Cant beat a good glass boat.

[chuck 'n' duck]

Fiberglass boat? Oh, you mean those floating bathtubs I see people fishing out of.
:tongue:

Just imagine if those smarties with the NR had a glass boat instead. They wouldn't have had the chance to check for holes at the take-out, because they probably wouldn't have made it that far.

CnD

[Rip'N'Lips]

Catcherman-

I own a 16' Alumaweld and my buddy has a 16' Willie (he is very well endowed)...

Anyway, they are both good boats. At the end of the day, options are the key. He has more on his boat, and I am eternally jealous. Go used would be my recommendation. I have seen numerous well equipped boats for sale on ifish and the Oregonian.

The key options in my book are cataract oars, front storage, rowers seat storage, and side anchor pulley. You can add all of these aftermarket, but you can spend as much as $300-500 for an aftermarket front storage box.

If it isn't already sold, The Rogue had a well equipped boat for sale that I would buy if my wife would let me.

Either way, don't worry about manufacturer too much as long as you stay with any of the industry leaders, go used and pick up the best equipped boat you can...

Rip'n'lips

[NEUTRON]

Rip...good advice.

chuck and Oregon duck , my other boat is a
willie :grin: :tongue: back at ya :grin: :grin: :grin:

since you me gave good deschuttes advice once, I'll cut ya some slack :tongue:

The boat is only as good as it's oar-person.

[chuck 'n' duck]

........Scrub-a-dub-dub-dub........Just a fishin' out of a tub......

Hey Neut, does Clackacraft offer a soap holder as an option for their custom tubs? :shocked: :grin:

CnD

Oh, yeah........GO BEAVS!!!!!!

[NEUTRON]

ROTFLMAO :grin:

It would be fun to go fishing one day, good sense of humor.

The Oregonian write up for the Beavs looked good this morning. Gonna be a competitive year for the pac ten. Might have to root for them when they play the huskies. I'd even root for the hurricaines if they were playing the huskies (that was for you otolith).

Rub a dub dub.. soapholder... I gotta get that added as an option for those multi-day trips.
clean up with out leaving the boat.

[ 08-08-2002, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: NEUTRON ]

[Otolith]

What !? Beavers? Ducks? I think this thread needs to move over to the High School Football board :tongue:

I'll second that anti-Husky sentiment. Even though the Canes pasted them 65-7 last year, we still owe those mutts for a couple of heartbreaks they laid on us in the past.

I think the soap holder idea is a good one. They can make a special "Buoy Ten Series" boat with as many soap holders as rod holders - for those special occaisions when you are fishing with Pepe Le Pew and just need to wash off the stink.