notaspeyguy
Smolt
Hi guys I'm being offered a 10 ft boat similar to the one pictured for free and was wondering if anyone has ever used one as a drift boat or is there a reason it would not work. It's not this exact model but very similar. Thanks!!
Drift boat alternative?
- Thread starter notaspeyguy
- Start date
I wouldn't use that as a drifboat substitute
1. driftboats have a flat bottom so they draw very little water. You need this when floating rivers to go over rocks and gravel bars. The rounded bottom means deeper draft
2. rowboats like this are set up for the rower to face the stern while rowing toward the bow. driftboats are set up so that the rower faces the bow and pulls toward the stern. In this case, you would be trying to push that flat stern into the current.
3. I'm sure that the hull is not designed to hit or scrape over rocks, and it would get holed or pop a seam pretty easily.
Probably good for stillwater, but I wouldn't use it in any moving water.
1. driftboats have a flat bottom so they draw very little water. You need this when floating rivers to go over rocks and gravel bars. The rounded bottom means deeper draft
2. rowboats like this are set up for the rower to face the stern while rowing toward the bow. driftboats are set up so that the rower faces the bow and pulls toward the stern. In this case, you would be trying to push that flat stern into the current.
3. I'm sure that the hull is not designed to hit or scrape over rocks, and it would get holed or pop a seam pretty easily.
Probably good for stillwater, but I wouldn't use it in any moving water.
How fast of a river and any actual whitewater/rapids?
I fished out of something similar many times on flat, smallmouth water out here in PA
I fished out of something similar many times on flat, smallmouth water out here in PA
notaspeyguy
Smolt
The key element to drift boats is the bottom curve (rocker) from bow to stern, it's what allows them to ride waves without plunging the bow in or having water coming in over the stern, and makes them highy manuverable when rowing, as the pivot point is under the rowers feet.
The boat you're showing? On a river with a good push or heaven forbid even mild whitewater? Up your life insurance before launching.
The boat you're showing? On a river with a good push or heaven forbid even mild whitewater? Up your life insurance before launching.
notaspeyguy
Smolt
These tips seem to be the concensus...I have passed on the boat in favor of my original plan to save my pennies for a raft or pontoon...safer and purpose built...Thanks a bunch for the insight guys!!!
Deathtrap
Look at Mini-Drifts you may find one pretty reasonable price they come in ten ft too.
I have a similar tin boat to the one being discussed, and I've used it in some way lower PS rivers in Fall for searuns, with oars and an electric trolling motor. Most of the water is frog water, and I do short down-and-backs. I have rowed it down a couple riffles (that I then have to walk it back up which isn't awesome but not the worst, either, and beats not fishin' good water) doing that, and I can confirm--it barely works at all for this. The flat stern is a huge impediment and the modified v-hull is not as shallow a draft as you need.