Yesterday I went to town and drove through a new neighborhood. There was a 2002 Hyde aluminum drift boat sitting there with all the right stuff. 16 feet, carbon fiber oars with counter weights, 3 dry boxes under the seats, compartment in the bow. Very well outfitted. I went to the bank and gave the guy $3,300 for it. It is around $11k new not including the extra equipment. Nice trailer with mag wheels and new tires. I would never spend that for a canoe but an aluminum drift boat is pretty indestructible if you can stay off the big rocks.
I like canoes, but the drift boat is a wonderful craft for the tougher rivers. Compared to a raft it rows like a sports car. Lots of room. Easy to bring 3 dogs. I can stand up and move around. I have an 8 hp long shaft Honda 4 stroke on my power boat that I will use for lakes. It would be the perfect boat for a 200 mile trip down the Yellowstone R for instance. I had a wooden one years ago and really missed it. Happy Birthday to me, as I turn 70.
Now I am probably going to down size and sell my raft, an AIRE Jaguarundi that is 16 feet.
I will probably sell the 19 foot Jetcraft with a Yamaha 115.
I like canoes, but the drift boat is a wonderful craft for the tougher rivers. Compared to a raft it rows like a sports car. Lots of room. Easy to bring 3 dogs. I can stand up and move around. I have an 8 hp long shaft Honda 4 stroke on my power boat that I will use for lakes. It would be the perfect boat for a 200 mile trip down the Yellowstone R for instance. I had a wooden one years ago and really missed it. Happy Birthday to me, as I turn 70.
Now I am probably going to down size and sell my raft, an AIRE Jaguarundi that is 16 feet.
I will probably sell the 19 foot Jetcraft with a Yamaha 115.