drift boats

Steelie Ben · 12-22-2002, 06:44 PM

I stopped at the barton store this morning and checked out the BB before heading to the river. I noticed a wooden drift boat for sale, they want 995.00 for it. It looked to be in great shape ect... Is a wood drift boat a good idea for a novice boater?? Do they hold up to the beatings on the rocks they will take? Just curiouse cause I would like to get a db in the near future. Thanks.
SB

MarlinMark · 12-22-2002, 06:54 PM

Growing up in Grants Pass I rowed wood db's. The best thing I can tell you is to think about how bad you want to flip that thing over in your yard, sand it down to wood, put on epoxy resin, add a layer of fiber glass, and then more epoxy resin. The new epoxy resins that are out there are great. You shouldn't have to do this as much as I did as a kid (I sound like an old timer, I'm only 33 yrs. young.) But if you store the boat outside you should give serious consideration to how you want to treat the inside. If that boat is in good condition then it will make it through this season. Then you can look into treating it this summer. Who is the boat builder?? All db's are not created equal. Let me know what you find out.

Mark

elkaholic · 12-22-2002, 07:04 PM

My stepfather made the wood drift boat I have and I have run it for 15 years with no problems. I agree with fiberglassing the bottom up well. Mine is a "Rapid Robert" design, apparently the original McKenzie style. I crab and fish and all and am perfectly happy. I think it is quieter than other styles. Good luck and keep it covered.

djb · 12-22-2002, 09:08 PM

I think wood drift boats are beautiful and I hear they row real nice. I would be hesistant about purchasing one if I was new to rowing though. My first DB was a used alumaweld and I'm glad I bought it. In the course of learning the oars I put more than a few dents on the side of my boat. What rivers you plan on drifting may be another consideration if you plan on purchasing a wood boat. I know there are some good oarsman that drift the rogue with wood boats. It all depends on your skill level.

Catch 22 · 12-22-2002, 09:33 PM

When you see a well taken care of wooden DB on the river, it is like nothing else. They're just beautiful. However, they don't stay that way on their own. They require a lot of maintenance. It takes a person who appreciates the beauty to want to take on a project like that every year or so. I'm not one of those people. I do respect them though.

[ 12-22-2002, 10:34 PM: Message edited by: Catch 22 ]

Fish Hound · 12-23-2002, 08:51 AM

I built a Don Hill wood DB about 8 years ago and like it. I've fished most of the north coast and metro area rivers and it works like a charm. Have had a couple major impacts and the boat has held together great. I did knock a hole in the bottom on the upper McKenzie. Just put a puddle of Wests epoxy on the damaged area and it was like new again.

Also had my boat on the Green River in Utah and several rivers in Montana. Works good there too. Wood boats are quiet and easy to row. The floorboard arrangement on a wood DB is generally crummy and you will want to spend some time creating your own configuration with 4" ceder planks. Wood driftboats generally have no fish box or enclosed storage unless you make them yourself. If you are a reasonably competent woodworker, the possibility is there for customization. I'm a real detail oriented engineer type and spent a lot of time sealing my boat when I built it. It still leaks a little. Wood boats will just do this. Generally a couple scoops with a Clorox bottle per trip is req'd.

I learned to row on the Rogue in one of Willies first boats. Like rowing a tank. I think the new aluminum boats are lighter and easier to row these days.

Take a good look at the boat before you buy. Games over if it has dryrot. Take someone knowledgeable with you if you don't know what to look for. Don't be bashful to get in the boat and do a lot of prodding. I'd be leary of a boat stored outside. For the most part, you need a garage to keep them in decent shape.

If you have a wood boat, you will spend $150 and approximately 12 hours refinishing it every 3-4 years. Even if you keep it indoors. If this doesn't sound like something you want to deal with then wait until you have the money and buy a cheaper alum or fiberglass for $1,500 to $2,000.

To be honest, even though I like the appearance and maneuverability of wood, I'm planning on getting an aluminum DB in the next 2-3 years. Gettting a little tired of the upkeep and would like some more enclosed storage. My opinion is that wood DB's are a great first boat.

Probably more than you wanted to know but just my 0.02.

DriftR · 12-23-2002, 04:01 PM

Best advice I can give on owning a wood DB. Keep that puppy in the shed, barn or whatever. Then go down to the hardware store and buy yourself a good quality leaf blower. When your done for the day blow the excess water out of the inside and dry it out before your put it to bed. I know, I have had three wood DB's, one fiberglass and then I got smart and bought a 16'x54" Willie. JUST BUY METAL.

Grantspastor · 12-23-2002, 04:54 PM

I've owned and rowed wooden drfit boats for 35 years...currently a Don Hill 16" High side.
As far as the boat goes it's a wonderful boat...I've taken it just about everywhere people take drift boats, and a few places where they shouldn't. If the price is what appeals to you about that boat have someone who knows drfit boats check it out...it might or might not be a bargain. Listen to what everyone is saying about refinishing, and keeping it in the garage. If you buy it...when you turn it over and epoxy the bottom, consider putting UHMD on the bottom. That was the best $200 investment I made for running serious whitewater, or shallow rocky rivers like the North Umpqua. Bottom line...don't let wood scare you...just count the cost in maintenance and TLC because you can't get away from it. I've seen numerous decent metal boats over the years in that price range.