Getting a new/old drift boat???

[Big TULE]

So now what. I have been in a drift boat 2 times in my life both being in high school and didn't pay much attention to how to row or what to do. I need to redo the bottom with coat it. It is an aluminum drifter i have no idea what year or brand but i like it and it has only been used a few times. I have a good idea on how to row, i have rowed a boat before, but not a drift boat. Any one with help i would really appreciate it. If anybody wants to go out and show me a few things just help with the shuttle. Will do the EF or NF lewis or Washougal. Do not have oregon license yet but am willing to get one. I will be picking it up this week. And maybe ready to try it at the end of the week.

[Plum Crazy]

Two sources I would check out
are Clackacraft web. page under rowing a db.
and Driftboats by Nick Amato publishing.
Good info.
Fire

[rob allen]

Big thule I'd recomment Not floating the East Fork until you have some experience on the oars in moving water. It's a short float but from Happa crusher to either the gold course or the island boat ramp is a very easy float.. Or at least as easy as you will find around here. but even before you do that put your boat on a lake and get used to how it handles. get used to doing right and left turns and doing quick turns with boath oars at once. Depending on scheduals i might be able to get you out on a short float on the Washougal sometime..

[Chris Nordling]

I too recommend a lake or pond for a few hours before setting afloat in moving water.

If you just have to go on a river, remember one simple rule. Point the bow of the boat at a 45 to what you DO NOT want to hit, and pull back on both oars. This is the easiest way to apply the brakes and avoid most obstacles.

The book on driftboating is highly recommended as a good place to start. Of course nothing replaces hands on learning.

As far as coating the bottom, most rivers are running pretty good right now with good solid flows. Not much to worry about bumping on or sliding over. Any river that is dropping and clearing that fast usually is not a good place for a beginner to try and drift. See the posts on the Necanicum to get an idea. Places like the NF Lewis, Sandy, Clackamas, Wilson have some good beginner type water. Never floated the Washougal or East Fork , so I can't really say how they are to float.

Enjoy your boat, and get out and whack some fish !

Chris

[Big TULE]

Thanks guys, rob i might have to take you up on that offer. I have fished the washougal my whole life, well except for the years that i have been away in the navy, i want to learn as much as i can. I do not need anyone getting hurt in my boat. And i am a little more responsible than just jumping in, i will get the book but there is only so much you can learn out of a book...

[Sliderite]

I agree Big TULE... you can learn only so much from a book. It is best to have someone like I did take me down the river by instruction. A lake will not do too much good! An easy run and an easy going experienced rower will do you wonders. You don't need anyone who would scream profanities at you when you make mistakes. AND YOU WILL make mistakes!
I run my DB by myself most of the time and have no one to blame for screwing up. I do think that YOU DO need to learn about boating etiquette before you get along to far.
Never plug though water in front of a bank fisherman or even driftfishing through the same water. You can pull off to the opposite side of the river and down or up from him.
Always get as close as you can to the bank fisherman when drifting by him so as not to disturb his water. An exception to this is if they actually ask you to and stir up the water..this happened once for me(their bite was dead and thought a scare tactic best)!!
Just remember.... see a banker... row to his side of the river and he may just thank you.
Too many boaters these days could care less ...but I do!
When drifting by an anchored boat always try to drift by on the bank side... and if not enough water let them know you are coming on the river side(lines out of the water).
Always row away from the obstacles as you go down the river and treat other boaters and bank fisherman as you would like to be treated!!! Hmmm The Golden Rule! imagine that :grin:

[Fish Hound]

See some earlier posts on easy DB runs. I don't want to recommend one because they all have their own quirks or difficulties. The Sandy, Clackamas, Nestucca, Wilson etc have their easy sections. May want to do some more homework.

I hate to sound like a broken record but you really should take someone with you that:

1. Knows how to operate a DB.
2. Has run a particular section of river before.

Do this before you embark on your own. January is a cold time for a swim in an Oregon or Washington river.

I bet some folks here would help you out, or as an option, hire a guide. At least you'll get a preview of the river before you do it on your own and you'll learn about a few fishing holes too. I learned on the Rogue which is a powerful and sometimes unpredictable river, but I had someone experienced with me to guide me through it. Makes all the difference.

One piece of advice. When coming into a bend or broken water, start rowing early. Control your momentum so it makes it easier to row away from obstacles. Always point your bow at what you don't want to hit. Beware of hitting a rock broadside. Learn a little bit about anchoring before you try it on a swift river. A good percentage of boating accidents (including DB's) occur when anchoring.

Have fun with your new boat.