I have and use both. A sled opens up larger water that you can't fish with a drift boat, like the bay in gray's harbor, the Chehalis, and the Columbia.

There are times, like right now, when the rivers get low and the sled doesn't do you as much good as you would like. You have to be ready to leave it in the garage then, or you're going to leave it on a gravel bar somewhere.

The drift boat still gets a lot of use on the smaller rivers, and for fly fishing use.

There are definitely some bankies and drift boaters who give you the sour look when you fish in a sled. You just have to tolerate it. I don't push the limit on which waters I fish with a sled. Just because you could run it, doesn't mean you should run it. The Wynoochee is an example of a river where some boat drivers push the limit a bit, in my opinion.

If you are picking between the two, I think two questions are relevant. First, do you like fishing larger rivers? If you really prefer small streams, then the dirft boat should be your first choice.

Second, do you have buddies to help with the trip? One of the problems I always have with the drift boat is getting a buddy along to help with the turnaround. If your fishing buddies only get one hall pass a year, you're going to be frustrated.

Finally, with either boat, but especially with a sled, I think it's important to realize that you'll have to spend a little time and thought on figuring out how not to be a jerk with it.