Drift boat advise

[the river fox]

Thinking about buying a drift boat, but don't know much about them.. It would be great if some owners of drift boats could tell me what they like about there boat and what they don't. I fish the Delaware, Salmon rivers.. Should I go with a fiberglass or alum? Do I need a low profile or not? Is a walk thru interior worth the extra money? What is the difference with the standered oars and the ones that cost $ 300-$ 400 more? Witch brand would you go with... thanks for any advise you care to share...

 

[Jheaney]

speak to guides , depending on where you plan to take it , and the type of fishing can make the selection of a craft more suited for the conditions in which you plan to fish in . clacka, Hyde , Montana boat works , you can have all the bells and whistle . do you need a $400 dollar pair of oars , "no" but if you where rowing everyday, you might consider it , how often are you going to use it ? you might be able to rent a boat depending where you fish.

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi,

In my opinion:

Aluminum if you are going to fish the Salmon River alot. The rocks are nasty there. Aluminum is noisy. Wood requires lots of maintenance. Fiberglass is easy to repair, I put a gallon of gelcoat on the bottom of my Hyde after 8 years of 100 days per season use. It looked brand new. Highsider is safer.

Lowsider is great for the Delaware, they are easy to get in and out and do not sail in the wind so much. I am not all that comfortable rowing my Hyde low sider on the Salmon River. I do it occasionally, but a bigger high side would be safer.

Side or floor anchor system?

Our Hyde has a side anchor and the Clack has a floor anchor. I like the side anchor system for two reasons. First, the rope is always right there and easy to grasp and feather out slowly and quietly. It is also easier on my back. The downside is that the person in the back has to be careful about getting fly line trapped in a pulley. Floor anchor system tube can freeze in cold weather.

Oars: Standard oars vs. counterbalanced. Counterbalanced have a chunk of metal in the handle and it makes the oar balance at the oar lock. That way you are not using energy to "hold up" the oar. IT just rests there with no effort. The downside, a slight one, in my opinion, is that the oars tend to float on the wwaters surface and do not act as rudders to stabilize the boat while at rest. Composite blades or plastic or wood? Not huge differences here, but the composite blades tend to have more surface area, so you get more bang for each stroke.

New vs. used: Well maintained boats hold their value and can be a good deal. Used boats on the Delaware typically sell for $3000 - $5000 depending on age, use and extras. There are usually 6 -12 for sale every spring. The manufacturers will sometimes make you a deal if they are getting a boat in trade. Rather than ship a used boat back, they may sell it to you.

I rowed a Hyde for 15 years and still prefer them. They row easy and turn on a dime. Probably not as comfortable for the fishermen, as they do no have the room of a clack. The Clack is a bit more awkward to get in and out of, due the placement of the back knee brace. Some of the newer models may have fixed this glitch, I have not been in a newer boat the last couple of years.

Boats are just like cars. When you are 16 and get your first car, if it has four wheels and runs most of the time, you are happy. As you drive a bit more, you understand the features you would like to have in the next model. If you rent a couple of different ones, you may get an idea what features you like.

Storage areas, rod holders, padded seats, cup holders, etc. are just some of the extras to consider.

Have fun!!!

Jim

 

[golden beetle]

Jim (big spinner): do you guide on the delaware?

I am looking for someone to take me on a day trip, preferably next spring. With your knowledge, I think I'd be comfortable hiring you.

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi Beetle,

Patty and I retired from guiding this year. It was time to start being guided!!!! There are several good ones on the river. Ask around for a few suggestions.

Now when you fall in love with the area and the river and want to own a chunk of land..... call me!!! Some may even include a boat!!!!

Good luck,

Jim

 

[the river fox]

Big Spinner, thanks for the info it is very helpful.. There are so many choices out there, I need to look around a lot more.... One nice thing about this "depression" we are in is a lot of the builders are putting some nice deals out there..................ANY more tips from anyone is always welcome.............................. Thanks Again

 

[emerger]

Jim pretty much summed it up. I have a Clackacraft weight forward (high side). It has more room than the same version with low sides and is safer but a bitch in the wind. You really don't need a high sided boat for the Delaware as there really aren't any rapids.

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi,

Trailers:

The Hyde trailer is smaller and lighter (not as much steel) as the standard trailer that comes with the Clackacraft (Zeiman).

The Hyde is eastier to push side to side to line things up while you are attempting to back up into a tight spot.

Both trailers seemed to have held up well for the last 12 years.

I lightly sand and spray paint a few rusty dings on both trailers every couple of years. This helps to keep them looking new.

The Clackacraft trailer rollers are really smooth and the boat just glides onto the trailer.

Consider getting a spare tire and mount, especially if you are going to jump between rivers and go long stretches on the road. IF you don't, you will be stranded at some point in your boating career. If you plan to keep the boat, say on the Delaware, it is not such a big deal, but still a good idea.

A spare anchor can save a trip or at least a heavy bag to throw some rocks in to act as an emergency anchor.

Three sets of boat plugs. One for the car and two sets in the boat.

License plate can be an issue. I built a simple holder that kept the plate from getting bent all the time from tilitng the trailer. It was mostly out of the way.

Boat cover: Helps to keep the boat clean and dry. Also protects fiberglass from chalking due to sun exposure. IF you are going to store the boat in a garage, you may be able to skip it.

Boat carpeting: An inexpensive indoor outdor carpet cut to shape and held down with a couple blobs of silicone will protect the bottom and is much quieter, especially when someone has spikes. Spikes can actually be slippery in a fiberglass boat.

All of these extras you can add later, if you need them.

Jim

 

[Joe D]

Hyde & ClackaCraft aren't the only drift boats on the market. Do a search and you'll find others out there like Hog Island... fiberglass and aluminum aren't the only hull materials being used.

The nice thing about a ClackaCraft is their 100 year warranty against leaks and punctures.

ClackaCraft switched to Adams trailers at least 4 years ago. They are much lighter than the Zeiman they used to use. All the trailers I've seen under a Clacka in the last few years are also galvanized. Virtually zero maintenance in freshwater.

Basketball nets make a convenient and lightweight spare anchor. If the need arises tie off one end, fill it with stones and attach the anchor line to the other end.

Should you decide on a glass boat apply a high grade marine wax to the hull. McGuire's makes a very good one. This will keep the hull looking good for a long time and also makes cleaning the hull much easier.

You may also want to check out the used market. Both Clacka & Hyde sell used boats.

Have fun shopping...

 

[chromefinder]

Thinking about buying a drift boat, but don't know much about them.. It would be great if some owners of drift boats could tell me what they like about there boat and what they don't. I fish the Delaware, Salmon rivers.. Should I go with a fiberglass or alum? Do I need a low profile or not? Is a walk thru interior worth the extra money? What is the difference with the standered oars and the ones that cost $ 300-$ 400 more? Witch brand would you go with... thanks for any advise you care to share...

If I were buying a new boat today, i'd buy a Polyethylene (plastic) one. Plastic drift boats are new on the scene in the last 10 years and IMO will eventually dominate the market. Plastic boats are very low to no maintenance compared to Aluminum and Fiberglass boats. There are a few guides on both the Salmon and Delaware rivers running plastic drift boat these days. Whitewater kayaks have been made from plastic for over 25 years with proven results. Low pro vs high is personal preference and so are oars types. Happy shopping.

Here are two plastic drift boats to consider:

Boulder Boat Works

Hog Island Boat Works

 

[CTobias]

I fish the Delaware, Salmon rivers.. Should I go with a fiberglass or alum? Do I need a low profile or not? Is a walk thru interior worth the extra money?

Well, stay away from the fiberglass boats if you are going to run the SR. Aluminum High Side is the only way to go. As far as price and quality, Hyde all the way. Buy from any other boat maker out west and plan on paying over 1000$ for shipping. I paid 400$ to have my boat sent here.

Carbon Fiber balanced oars for sure. 9.5' makes it easier on you. Also, don't get the side anchor mount. Just get the rear anchor arm. It will be easier on you for winter fishing. Any questions feel free to PM. I have had two Hyde's. Both were great, the Glass boat just wasn't made for the SR, even with the G3 bottom.

Hyde Drift Boats : Built for fishermen, by fishermen.


OLD Glass Boat

New Aluminum Boat

 

[CTobias]

Almost forgot, make sure if you get an aluminum boat you get a UHMW bottom. IT'S A MUST!

 

[CTobias]

There are a few guides on both the Salmon and Delaware rivers running plastic drift boat these days.

Aluminum. Only way to go, just ask any veteran guide up on the Salmon. You have to look at the roughest water you are going to fish to determine your boat. You NEED a highside on the Salmon River if you are going to go lower than Pineville. Just asked the guys that capsized their low side that I helped out.

 

[chromefinder]

Aluminum. Only way to go, just ask any veteran guide up on the Salmon. You have to look at the roughest water you are going to fish to determine your boat. You NEED a highside on the Salmon River if you are going to go lower than Pineville. Just asked the guys that capsized their low side that I helped out.

CTobias, I respect the fact that you float the Salmon river frequently in your Hyde aluminum drift boat. Yes, many guides on the Salmon River run aluminum drift boats from many different drift boat manufacturers but aluminum is not the only option. The river fox said he'd be using his boat on the Delaware and Salmon, if he only plans to run the Salmon a couple times a year and will spend the majority of his river trips on the Delaware or rivers similar to the Delaware, then an aluminum high side, IMO would be a poor choice.

 

[gadfly]

Damn it. Woke up this morning all excited and ran to the living room..... but once again there was no drift boat under the tree. Guess I wasn't on the nice list.
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[CTobias]

if he only plans to run the Salmon a couple times a year and will spend the majority of his river trips on the Delaware or rivers similar to the Delaware, then an aluminum high side, IMO would be a poor choice.

Like I always say, go big or go home. He could always get the new XL Hybrid....

 

[CTobias]

Damn it. Woke up this morning all excited and ran to the living room..... but once again there was no drift boat under the tree. Guess I wasn't on the nice list.
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Haha, don't worry, maybe he left it down by the river for you.

 

[AKSkim]

Not if those hats come with the boat.

Maybe "Dandy" for those Delaware drift boaters...

Not something that would be welcome up on the Salmon River.

That's for sure.

 

[CTobias]

Not if those hats come with the boat.

Maybe "Dandy" for those Delaware drift boaters...

Not something that would be welcome up on the Salmon River.

That's for sure.

Hahaha. This is true. You know what they say about people who wear cowboy hats when they fish.

 

[Wbranch]

Big Spinner has made many great comments regarding drift boat choice. I'm just a regular, non guide, guy and I bought my used Hyde back in 1999. It was just a few years old and it is fiberglass and the low profile design. Perfect for the Delaware and also much easier to get in and out of - especially if there is any current. I have the bottom anchor line where it runs through a metal tube in the floor and I like that very much as there is never any chance for my lines to get snagged in the anchor rope.

I have the option to use a bench seat or pedestal seat in the bow and like the bench seat to but stuff under if there is a drizzle but it is a pain to step over if I want to cast from the bow position. I remove the stern pedestal seat so I can just get up out of the rowers seat and stand in the stern to cast to fish rising behind the boat. My boat came as a package with the black composite oars, anchor, trailer, etc. You might be able to locate a boat for sale from one of the outfitter's on the river who is looking to upgrade or from someone who thought they wanted a boat but changed their mind.

 

[Big_Spinner]

Hi Guys,

Lots of good stuff here.

The Hyde Hybrid and the Polyethylene boats both look interesting.

I am a Hyde guy and will probably get a hybrid as my next boat.

I wonder what you do when the poly boat starts to get worn on the bottom? Does anyone know or will I be too old to fish by the time that happens. That is one of the things I like about the fiberglass boats. After ten years of use, I flipped the boat over and a gallon of epoxy later, I had a new bottom!!! It has been three years since and the boat still looks nearly new on the bottom.

Good luck on your decision and if you want a rowing lesson, I would be pleased to fish from your boat!!!!!!!!!

Jim

 

[Wbranch]

Something you might want to consider is the Hyde Sportman's Drifter (I think that is the name) it is a much smaller drift boat designed for just two people. If you think about it you aren't going to want to go out with more than one buddy anyway because if you do you are probsbly going to wind up the designated rower as they are going to want to fish.

It is a good looking fiberglass boat about 11' long with a rower's seat and a bow seat. I think it weighs less than 150# which is half the weight of my low profile. It is easier to tow and much easier to push off the trailer when the rivers are low and you can't get the roller on the trailer to the water's surface. I'm actually thinking about buying one in a few years when i'm no longer physically able to get my boat into, and out of the water, by myself.