How many of you drift

[klickriverchromer]

Curious on other fisherman/guides thoughts, likes and dislikes on whatever aluminum drift boat you use.  I want to build a boat to my fishing needs, but would like some other folks input.  I fish good size rivers. And want to be able to float up to 4 max

[MuleySniper]

We had an 11' Lavro glass boat, now we have a 16' Alumaweld w/ the 54" bottom. Depends on I guess what you classify as a big river. If you have to dodge a lot of rocks, Id stick with a aluminum, especially if you want to try to fish that many guys. You start getting a lot of weight in your boat, it will be tougher to maneuver around the rocks. Guys will tell you glass boats are quieter, they may be, but Ive fished from both and have never really noticed a difference in the number of fish Ive caught between the two.
MS

[rasbo]

the alumweld is the best Ive been in,

[PolarBear]

I prefer Willie boats.  He made the designs that Alumaweld copied but cut corners on quality.  Both are great boats but IMO Willie's are built better and track nicer.

[jackelope]

i drifted 48 miles of the deschutes with 3 other guys, all our gear and camping stuff in one 17' aluminum willie's boat. it's a great boat. storage is key, and packing properly for a trip like that. we each had 1 steelhead fly rod and then we had 1 5wt trout rod to share between the 4 of us. we each took turns with the trout rod. we had only 1 change of clothes per person, 1 gear bag, etc.

what do you mean by bigger rivers? bigger whitewater or just bigger size in general?

we have a 16' lavro high side boat currently and it's been on all the -s- rivers, the yak, the clearwater, etc. no problems.

[Red Dawg]

if you are gona stay with us in the klick i would say get a 48 inch fishrite. You will work way to hard with a 54 to pull plugs if that is what you do. If you are like me and just drift and fly fish than depending on how good you are on the oars you can get just about anything. I just happened to like fishrite though.

[Bob]

My clackacraft has been a great boat. when its time I will buy another one. 

[walt]

I have been rowing for 10 years now and bought a 16' willie 5 years ago and it is definitely my favorite boat.  I have guided out of it.  It does very well in big water like the upper Columbia and the Snake.  It is easy to move and remove the seats and benches.  I have fished 4 out of it comfortably many times, I have also taken out both benches and loaded it down with gear and a dog and put in multiple day trips on the Clark fork, the snake, the Ronde, and the yak. pm me for more details or if you want to try it out sometime. 

[klickriverchromer]

Thanks for the input.  I'm pretty set on a 17x60 cut down willie boat.  But i figure it doesn't hurt to listen to folks that stroke.  Oaring is not an issue here.  Plenty of experience and confidence.  Many of o dark thirty trips everywhere to own salmon holes or just first water for steel.

[Red Dawg]

ya the dark runs are fun. that sounds like a fun boat to cast out of. That is a big boat. room for lots of beer.

[tmike]

I'm kind of particular about my 68 Eastside  It's been down just about every river on the coast, hard to fit more than 2 though. 

[HawkenBob]

I own/owned a 91 Clack and a 2000 Willie. Learned to row on the West end and have had both boats everywere. The willie takes the cake over the old Clack rowing wise. But I really wanna try the tunnel hull with dimples on the new Clacks...best option I had was definately the UHMW. Sold the Willie when I built my sled so Im rowing the Clack now.

My next boat will be a new Clack probably...but nothing I have rowed rows like a Willie...

Just for the record, Willie started Alumaweld. Then sold the name and rights including the design, when the contract was over, Willie started building again. Under his own name. And with his current design, I have rowed new AW's and Willies. No comparison IMO.

If you think a 54 pulls plugs harder than a 48 you havent rowed one obiously. And dont know much about boat dynamics and physics. Wider bottom means more displacement. More displacment means higher floating. Put the same weight in each boat, both being the same kind, and then tell me what you think.

Its always the same old debate, find one that works for you. But Row the best first to compare. If your new and have no experience or not that seasoned, its harder to decide what rows better.

[bucklucky]

Hands Down......WILLIE!!

[Antlershed]

The willie takes the cake over the old Clack rowing wise. But I really wanna try the tunnel hull with dimples on the new Clacks.

I never rowed it, but I took a couple trips in Chad's new Clack with the tunnel hull, and it seemed to track really well. It didn't seem like he was putting much effort into rowing. It's a sweet boat, and it can take some abuse.

[HawkenBob]

I can attest to Clacks taking abuse. I bought mine in 91 and learned to row in the Forks area. The bottom looks so bad youd think it would sink. But it dosent leak a drop. Its been hauled up the old Queets launch more than a few times...but boy do they slide over rocks easy.

UHMW covered Willies slide just as well though...

[Antlershed]

That Clack's bottom flexes so much, he about threw me out of the boat while I was fighting a fish and we slid over some rocks. 

[buckhorn2]

When I went to college in southern oregon I spent many afternoons fishing with willie. He was a great oarsman and one of the first to start back boucing. I fished with him out of a mkenzie river boat back then it was copied after a keith steel boat then he started making his. Willie for me.

[whacker1]

I've rowed a clack, Hyde, and spent a lot of time in my friends 16 foot 54 Willie - Only change I would make is the 17 x 60 Willie.  But if you are going to build an aluminum boat - you better at least check out the Aluminum Hyde's just so you know what they put together. 

[lazydrifter]

I've rowed for almost 30 years. Right now I row a 16X57 custom built glass boat. A friend of mine built it about 9 years ago in Port Townsend. He beefed up the whole boat so there is no flex.  Most of the brand name boats are going to row and fish well as long as you have them set up and balanced right. On the bigger rivers and with big loads I would definitely go with a big boat. I think that if I was going to get a new boat if would be the 17X60 willie. 

[Moose Eyes]

Don't rule out Riverwolf boats!

[Hooter]

I row a Combo Hyde, Really a Glass boat, 16 foot flyfishing model. Has high sides front and rear seats, pleanty of cargo space, coolers etc... I also have the bottom covered with rhino lining, one tough cookie! No chips on the chines clean and shows no wear after 10 years! I like the quietness, warmth and no maintenance other than its yearly wax job. 

[Elkstuffer]

I have a Koffler aluminum. 16' high side, wide bottom, guide model with a removable transom for a small trolling motor. I've been down the Deschutes a couple dozen times with it. Great boat. Tracks perfect. I don't, however like it much on the Yakima river because of the wind. The high sides will cause it to sail out of control. LOL. I've been pinned to a bank or two on that river in a wind storm.

[huntnphool]

I drift fish with my boat as well I just cant row it

[bucklucky]

I drift fish with my boat as well I just cant row it

Smart ars 

[Antlershed]

I drift fish with my boat as well I just cant row it

I've had to paddle the NorthRiver around the Columbia before...