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inflatable vs. hard-shell vs. ??

mob201

Joe's Hopper
I may be in the market for something to float in later this spring. Something big enough for two or three people. Not sure that I want to shell out $6K for a used Hyde or Clackacraft. Also would have my doubts about towing it with my rig, which is basically an underpowered wagon. (It's a stick-shift but that won't help me drag a heavy drift boat up a steep gravel ramp.)

So I've been thinking about a high-quality inflatable with a fishing frame. Not a two-man pontoon - something I can take my kids and wife in for the odd river trip in the summer. Fishing rafts are huge out west where Class III-IV rapids are more common. But other than the lack of whitewater, why do I see so few of them on the D? Any particular reason?

Also: is there anybody on this site willing to cast a vote for a wide-beamed canoe? My guess is no, but I had so much fun in them back in my spin-fishing days I would love to hear somebody defend them for fly-fishing.
 
I have a couple of buddies that come up each spring from NC and they bring a large inflatable for 3 anglers. Not sure of the model, but one is a guide down there and that is their boat of choice. They do just fine, so I don't know why the fiberglass boat rules on that water. I'm guessing more tradition than functionality. As you mentioned, they're a lot lighter and you won't be in any serious white water.
 
This is right up your alley..

404283902-1.jpg


Its a two man Hyde, its a little cramped for two people to comfortably fish at the same time. But it works out good for me.

I tow it with a 98 Audi A4 (1.8t). My car doesnt even break a sweat..
 
The canoe is tough...I have one and use it on smaller/medium sized streams that don't have boat ramps to get around, but its strictly a get out and wade type of deal. Fishing from the canoe is a pain in the ass. The better rafts are nice, but they aren't that much cheaper than a drift boat, and they will break your back in the wind as they don't cut through the water as well and picking up some momentum on the flatter sections is tough on a calm day let alone a windy one. You can also get a drift boat for less than 6k if you keep your eyes peeled, and look around locally rather than online. You could probably get a drift boat for 4k, maybe 4500 and no shipping.
 
I dont know why you dont see as many in the east as you do west. But, a good cataraft will weigh close to a drift boat. It will still require a trailer because you will not be breaking them down and setting them up as ofter as you think you will, and it will take time to inflate. If storage is an issue and you have no place to put a boat then inflatable is the way to go. Also I second what fly 14 said about going through flatter sections. It will seem like molasses flowing uphil in January.
 
Guys on the SR tow their boats with Subaru wagons. A drift boat with a trailer doesn't weight much at all. less than 500lbs.
 
Also: is there anybody on this site willing to cast a vote for a wide-beamed canoe? My guess is no, but I had so much fun in them back in my spin-fishing days I would love to hear somebody defend them for fly-fishing.

A 17' square stern Grumman sportsboat or canoe is a great way to go and has many uses, it is a little too manly for most of the bitches who post on this site.
 
A 17' square stern Grumman sportsboat or canoe is a great way to go and has many uses, it is a little too manly for most of the bitches who post on this site.

I have one in my yard...does anyone have an engine that will strap on the back of it?
 
My Hyde low pro only weighs 300lbs less the Yeti cooler full of ice and beer of course .. :) Check around local like JC stated and you should with a bit of research find a reasonably priced used boat. You'll be glad you did !
 
Thats a cute little truck ya got there Toby..

Now tell me, did you buy that 'lawn tractor' in foresight of digging a grave for that soon to be pile of rust??

If only they put a Cummins in a VW...
 
My Hyde low pro only weighs 300lbs less the Yeti cooler full of ice and beer of course .. :) Check around local like JC stated and you should with a bit of research find a reasonably priced used boat. You'll be glad you did !

Boat weighs 300 lbs. yeti with ice and beer 600 lbs
 
Thats a cute little truck ya got there Toby..

Now tell me, did you buy that 'lawn tractor' in foresight of digging a grave for that soon to be pile of rust??

If only they put a Cummins in a VW...

Not my tractor. Pulled it for a buddy cause his pooper duty gets like 10mpg. I got 18mpg pulling that at 75mph.
 
Anyways.....back on topic.


It really depends on what you want to be able to do with it. Inflatables are nice, I will be picking one up here shortly, but it will just be for two people on day trips.

Having a boat is nice as well, but don't forget, with either one you have to have a way back to your vehicle at the end of the drift. Unless you get a jet sled. Wonder if people would be mad if I ran a jet sled on the Delaware. Can you even run a motorized boat there? I've never been to the Delaware.
 
What size? Do u ever use it? wanna sell it?

It isn't 17', but it is a canoe with a square back and an engine mount.............no I don't want to sell it....I want to buy a cheap engine and fish for pike in Spruce Run Res......yes, I use it and will use it more with my "new and improved", 4RUNNER roof rack..............
but everything is for sale..................how much?
 
Anyways.....back on topic.


It really depends on what you want to be able to do with it. Inflatables are nice, I will be picking one up here shortly, but it will just be for two people on day trips.

Having a boat is nice as well, but don't forget, with either one you have to have a way back to your vehicle at the end of the drift. Unless you get a jet sled. Wonder if people would be mad if I ran a jet sled on the Delaware. Can you even run a motorized boat there? I've never been to the Delaware.

The Delaware is too technical for you. You would embarrass yourself. Best leave that to skilled fishermen like myself and Everybodys friend
 
It all matters on what rivers you may want to float and what are you willing to deal with. A drift boat by far cuts the water better. You can get down narrower sections better. You have more control over the boat. It is easier to row. lighter on the water. More wind resistant. holds multiple rods securely. More comfortable for people that are fishing. Better dry storage and some will disagree but more durable if operated correctly.

A raft on the other hand can float in shallow water and glide over rocks, useful on days where parts of the river are frozen over, you can toss them anywhere and dont need a put it. Cheaper for the most part but not by much. Can take water in since its self bailing.


So think about what the river you want to float requires and just get that one. If you think you want a drift boat but want to go cheaper on the raft...I would say save up for another few months and get the drift boat. They are a good craft for entertaining and fishing. And running class III rapids in a drift boat is very doable.
 
Wow - thanks for dropping all that knowledge on me. Wish I'd posted earlier, rather than wasting a couple of afternoons on half-assed internet research. You guys have convinced me to hold off and see if I can get a good local deal on a used drift boat, ideally maybe a 12-footer. My wagon is unofficially rated for about 1000 pounds, so even a 300 pound boat, plus 200 pounds of beer and ice and cooler, plus trailer should be doable. But the wind issue was the clincher. My first "float" on the D was a raft trip down past Callicoon with my cousin, with low flow conditions and a brutal headwind blowing upriver. We spent most of five hours chained to the oars like viking slaves. Not sure why I needed this thread to remind me of that. Anyway, if anybody has any leads on a used boat, PM me.
 
When you are looking for a drifter I would really look at low profile models. they make a huge difference. Also there are a few things to research. Do you want fiberglass, wood, aluminum? Size? seating arrangement?

Wow - thanks for dropping all that knowledge on me. Wish I'd posted earlier, rather than wasting a couple of afternoons on half-assed internet research. You guys have convinced me to hold off and see if I can get a good local deal on a used drift boat, ideally maybe a 12-footer. My wagon is unofficially rated for about 1000 pounds, so even a 300 pound boat, plus 200 pounds of beer and ice and cooler, plus trailer should be doable. But the wind issue was the clincher. My first "float" on the D was a raft trip down past Callicoon with my cousin, with low flow conditions and a brutal headwind blowing upriver. We spent most of five hours chained to the oars like viking slaves. Not sure why I needed this thread to remind me of that. Anyway, if anybody has any leads on a used boat, PM me.
 
Not my tractor. Pulled it for a buddy cause his pooper duty gets like 10mpg. I got 18mpg pulling that at 75mph.
I'd rather drive a cool truck and get 10mpg than drive a truck with a vagina as a hood emblem and get 18 mpg

99329_dodgetrucks.jpg
 
Is the winch in the front for hooking up to the tow truck?

Yes, when the local tow guys dont have enough power to pull a car out of the ditch you hook the winch up to the tow truck and pull the tow truck and car out of the hole
 
plus 200 pounds of beer and ice.

200 pounds of beer and ice? I would like to the first to volunteer and float with you. I'll even supply the flies, and add to the 200 pounds of alcohol with another 20-30 pounds.
 

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