I apoligize in advance if this has been done before, couldn't find much using the search...Looking to take the leap in the next month and buying my first drift boat. Id like to see y'alls drifter and layout to get some ideas of my own on how I want to set mine up.

Any other specs. or info you want to add would be great as well.






Keeping my eyes peeled for a Koffler in good shape. If you or your buddies has a nice one for sale feel free to pm me.

Thanks for your time.




Tyler

What tickles your fancy about Koffler drift boats? Whatever boat you end up getting, I'd make sure and get something that can be set up to fish three in a row as well as the standard two up front configuration. adjustable oar locks and benches are your friend and level floors are killer. Have fun and be safe. Just remember you'll never fish anymore unless you teach your buddies how to row.

theres alot of very good used boats out there for sale.. i cant see spending the kind of money they want for a new one... just something to think about..

Looking to buy used, the pic was pulled form google.

agree

Kofflers are great boats--so many people get hung up on "gotta have a Willies" I may be selling--not certain yet.

Got to row a 17' Koffler and fell in love.
I have nothing against other brands, just felt really comfortable behind the wheel of one so to speak.

An old friend of mine was a Willie Boats dealer.
He told me that Willie once said to him, "Those Kofflers, I like those boats."

Looks like no one wants to play,
just the same here is a list I have been kicking around of things I'd like to have on my boat. If I over look an item of importance let me know!


Level flooring
Front seat dry box
Raised rowers seat
As much storage as possible
Anchor
A couple of nice Folbe's
Nav. light
Bilge pump
Fish box
A heater system
Drift socks

I'll be rowing my Dad around most of the time, so I don't mind the trade off at all!

I think a lot depends on where you'll be and how you want to fish. My boat has many battle wounds, but most of them are from launching at non-launches, dragging, pushing, and going over logs and river obstructions. For that reason, I favor less weight (no batteries, motors, propane tank, etc) and a boat that slides easily (fiberglass or UMHW on metal).

Anchor system is something worth doing right. Although I don't have one yet, I'd favor a Lee-lock. Side pulley seems to be favored by most although I don't mind the floor option.

And oars are a huge factor. Get what feels the best but don't choose before you at least try some Sawyers.

I just might sell my Willie one of these days. I can't row anymore
so I guess it's time. I've had a driftboat for so many years I can't remember when I bought my first one.

Been sitting in the driveway for 2 years now. Wonder if it's still there?

fp

Save yourself lot's problems:

Just get one of these, nd be done with it.......





Just kidding.....driftboat is very nice way to fish, I enjoyed fishing the "drifter" for many years..

1. Teach your buddies, how to row.....right away.
2. Made sure you "trade off" or you'll be the "all day rower"

Maybe the other Eric will too.

Anchor.....If your into very quick floats and only side drifting, you can pass on this option.



Exactly, on keeping the boat light!

I went to a Lee-Lock 3 years ago......hands down the best system I've used for holding power with driftboat anchors.

Floor systems are OK until it freezes. I used to fish in a friend's boat alot years ago who had the floor system. More than once it was rendered useless when the rope froze inside the tube under the floorboard on a cold morning. Not cool.

I'll say it again...adjustable oar locks and adjustable rowers and passenger bench. it's amazing how a very slight movement of a bench forward or back can greatly affect how the boat will handle. I'll say this again too...teach your buddies to row!!! Immediately!!!!!!!! Don't get me wrong though, as rowing in itself is awesome and putting people on fish is a great feeling, especially when you tell them to cast to a certain spot and they hook a fish.

I've been rowing for about 3 years now and finally this winter, I personally hooked a steelhead out of my own boat, (Not counting plugs) and it was while my wife was rowing. Haha. All other steelhead hooked in my boat up to that point had been hooked by buddies while I rowed. I've spent many weekends on the peninsula where I've spent the money to get out there and litterally rowed the entire weekend and maybe got to wet a line for a half hour total on the bank.

Luckily a buddy of mine finally got a nice Willie so I'm hoping we'll have a team now where we can trade off rowing between fish, or someone rows a certain stretch and then someone rows another stretch.

Find someone on hear that wouldn't mind teaching you to row. Redd_Daetona taught me and it helped a ton having that knowledge a week later while rowing my own boat for the first time.

Before you get too set, figure out how you plan to fish (side-drift, float/jig , pull plugs etc...), and then work from the inside-out.
Since pulling plugs is low on my arsenal list, I went for level floors, front bench with two seats (removeable), and a rear seat with casting braces.
Although I fish all over the state, including the OP, I am mostly on the Klickitat and the Yakima. I was dead set on a metal boat, and ended up with a Hyde glass boat........never expected to end up there. I love it!
I believe there are a lot of great boats out there, and I have rowed multiple Willies, Alumawelds, Hydes, Clakas, Fish-Rites, and others. Metal and Glass both have their place, and advantages/disadvantages. So, keep an open mind, and like I said.....build it from the inside-out.
Then, don't settle because something is "a good deal".
It looks like you live in Yak, me too. PM me and we can talk....

The title says "show me your drifter". Well this WAS mine, just sold her 2 months ago to build a race boat. Was a great handling boat. Rowed like a dream and sat straight as an arrow on anchor. She will be missed.

I'd skip the heating system and nav lights, portable heaters and lights are more practical. Plus, rowing will keep you warm and passengers (other than your dad) can suffer especially if they catch all the fish.

Leelock is a must.

Center mounted anchor is ideal.

I wish I had the square top oars, just saying.

Don't forget a cup holder for the rower, you'll spill less beer, trust me.

I have a bilge pump and I have to admit, it's nice and I use it a lot but I also have level floors. I'd skip the bilge pump if you don't get level floors.

I have nearly all the options you listed above. I also have an 8hp kicker and troll lakes. It's a great all-around boat but with all the options, it's not the most nimble. If you're an adrenaline junky and will row any river you and your boat can handle, I'd go minimalistic and preferably glass.

Sidedriftin,

I have to know...where did you find that clacka sticker? I'm gonna need a couple for my boat. I love that!

Lots of good stuff in here, thanks guys!
Maybe I should oblige and describe the types of fishing I plan to do to help narrow down my needs a bit more.

1.) I plan to use this in the Yakima obviously during springer season, mostly anchored up but I won't pass up good float and egg water.

2.) I enjoy fishing the Klickitat, especially the mouth in the fall for Coho and fall URB's. Trolling plugs and prawn spinners.

3.) Long floats on the gorgeous Umpqua driftin' eggs and pulling plugs.
We also anchor up in spring for chinook. Just depends how far up we are that day.

4.)There is a fall fishery in southern Oregon where drift boats troll the soft tide water in the estuary I'd like to participate in next year.

5.) Lastly,I'd also like to float around the lakes with my wife and get her into some trout. Trolling small plugs and spinners is what we like to do.


So a metal boat with a kicker I can take on and off would be what I'm leaning towards for my needs.

Don't forget a good cover. BTW, I have one from Willie Boats I don't need anymore that I'd sell for a decent price. I had it on my 16x54 Alumaweld, fit good.

Do you use the cover for transportation purposes?
This drifter won't be sitting outside. Moving my race car out to the shop, so there is a spot open in my garage just waiting.

Will do!

I have had my Lavro for 24 years (it was built in 1981), the flexible bottom has saved my arse more than a few times. I love it. I have no problem fishing and catching fish while rowing and drifting, ask Outfishing, he will vouch...I just cast and row, cast and row. Its been down the Solduc over 300 times and through a lot of rocky water in Montana, still going strong.

Sounds like a Riverwolf would suit your needs very well. That's what I have and with all the standard options, they are a pretty good deal new or used. The only non-standard modifications I've made on my sidedrifter are:

1. leelock - you must get this
2. center anchor mount (I take it off when I use my kicker and use my front anchor, just two bolts to remove). My side anchor mount made the boat sway too much on anchor.
3. rower's cup holder

It does very well with a kicker. I've fished Drano, Baker Lake, Lake Wenatchee, etc... no problem. I have two break down spare oars and an oar shaft mount on the inside side wall so they are out of the way when I'm using the kicker.

FishDoctor is an artistic master of fishing while rowing, that's for sure!

If you're going to do technical water like the Duc, I'd go glass. FishDoctor's lavro is awesome, it slides over rocks, no problem.

Yak if you're gonna hit the Chetco for "a fall fishery in southern Oregon where drift boats troll the soft tide water in the estuary I'd like to participate in next year. " consider a boat with a low wind profile. I've been blown onto the rocks in tidewater and upstream in my 17' Willie.

I don't know what the wind is like at Chetco, but I've been in serious wind at Drano and Wenatchee, Drano was the worst with ~40-50mph gusts. I had to go full throttle with my kicker into the wind but I didn't have drift socks at the time. I use two drift socks now and wind is really no problem with the kicker and socks.

I'll add drift socks to the list, thank you for the reminder.

Yup! Got it!..
Oh wait, never mind. She doesn't sport any of those options. But I still love 'er!




I do like my sweet removable deck tho! See! All you need to do to remove the awesome diamond plate floor is a screw gun, and at least a half hour!
And to put it back in... 1" wood screws! Hahahaha!

Sweet, custom diamond plate level floor in!..



Sweet, custom diamond plate level floor, out!..;-)

Nice fish and boat! ^

So from the looks of things, in regards to a kicker, the T8 would be a good bet?

Can't imagine I'd need more then the 3gallon tank, I like the looks and functionality of the shift lever, seems well thought out.

Am I on the right track?

I had a 9.9 mercury 4 stroke. I accidentally totaled it when launching my boat with the motor down last year. It was covered by insurance and I replaced it with an F8 Yamaha and it's awesome. I like it much better than the Merc, it's lighter and it pushes the boat just as fast. But I've only used it for 2 days so far so only time will tell. The Yamahas have a very good reputation for reliability. My Merc had issues, it was leaking oil, I had to clean the carburetor, etc.. I like the shift lever better on the F8. The shifter on the Merc which is the tiller handle is a good idea in theory but it was awkward like an out of tune hand brake on a bike, hard to explain but I just didn't like it.

I tried out a 6hp yamaha 4 stroke on my boat but it just didn't push my boat like my merc.

A small 3 gallon is all you need. They just sip fuel. Make sure you keep the vent open on the fuel tank. I closed it once on a hot day when trailering the boat and the heat put so much pressure in the tank it flooded the engine.

Make sure you get a hydrofoil for your motor. It makes a huge difference in bringing your bow down. I have a piece of aluminum that is bolted on that Larry, the owner of Riverwolf, made for me. I also use a Mac's skeg guard.

Oh the things add up.......

The sheave-assist anchor system is cool.
Also the hold-down system is simple and smart.
Web straps with over-center hardware are not so smart for glas boats or wood boats.

T-8 would require a battery.

Great motor but on a driftboat I would go with a non-electric.

fp

Agreed! The T-8 is the greatest kicker known to me, but I would find a nice 2-smoke(weight savings is huge) and call it good. I have a 98 mercury 8 horse. Purrs like a kitten, even idled ALL the way down. Keep on top of maintenance, and it'll last the life of the boat.

Good advice.
I have a '93 Yamaha 8 HP 100:1 that weighs 57 lbs.

I have 12 drift boats at the lodge, I will sell you one of those? LOL
Might even ship it down to you!