Drift boat??

[hoyt5199]

I am looking at getting a drift boat and was wondering if you guys that own one can give me advice about them. Are they worth having? Can you put a small motor on them for fishing lakes?

[Button Nubbs]

Yes and yes

[CountryslickR]

Absolutely yes and yes!!!!! I use my driftboat year round and in lakes with an electric motor sometimes, you can also put a gas motor on them and backtroll ect.. I love to fly fish, salmon, steelhead fish, pull plugs, ect.... so for me owning one is a no brainer, but they are a great boat! Made to go places others cant, and once you fish parts of rivers that you never have because you've been stuck on the bank, that first fish will make the purchase worth it! The argument/discussion of aluminum vs. glass vs. wood will go on forever, but just row a few boats, figure out what YOU like best and go for it! Good luck!

[grade-creek-rd]

Yes to both questions...plus here are a few other things to think about...
 
1. if you don't put a motor on it (and it's under 16ft, most 16 ft models are actually 15 1/2) then no need to put tabs on it (just the trailer).
 
2. simple to maintain...I leave mine out all year long with no cover, just the drain plug pulled and it tipped back...no worries (I have an aluminum boat)
 
3. versatile...if you opt to put a small gas motor on it then you can fish lakes, small rivers, bays (like Commencement Bay or small harbors) allowing you to put out crab pots as well...
 
4. very stable...due to design you can stand up in the thing all day long on a lake, and reach over to wash your hands and never worry about it tipping...great for kids to bounce around in.
 
5. with removable seat benches, if you put an electric trolling motor on it you can remove the middle bench and you have tons of room to walk around, stand, fight fish, ect...
 
And Now...the best advice of all...if your gonna buy one, check out Craigslist (especially Portland, OR) and be patient...you can get a heck of a deal by checking CL, and they hold their value pretty well around $3,000-$5,000 so no worries if you spend that much on a boat, more than likely if you ever decide to get rid of it then you will get most of that back...buying new is just like buying any boat new...way overpriced compared to a "slightly used" one...
 
G-C-R

[Fishhog]

Yes to both.

My is to learn how to row it proficiently BEFORE you run fast water. Otherwise........

[hoyt5199]

Thanks for all the great advice

[brichards44]

Bought my boat last year and went with aluminum. I did the same thing you are right now and asked a lot of questions. Overall all the above advice is great especially the rowing advice. I use my DB constantly. As far as what material of boat to buy? I asked and looked at a lot of boats and my final consensus was to stay away from wood boats. Just my  though.

Another thought was Oar. I didn't know it until I priced them out, but they are really expensive for decent oars. $250 plus each.