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!