Steelydon
Sounds like you have the rowing experience to drift the Sol Duc in your drift boat (Maxfield to Whitcomb Dimmel), especially given you will be going with someone you can follow. Following somone who knows the water really helps. The key is knowing how to set up on the top end. I would either follow someone (you know has experience in that section) or get a guide on any sections of the Sol Duc the first time through. It is quite different at different water hieghts.

The first time I drifted the Hatchery to Maxfield on the Sol Duc I went with a guide (9 boards), the second time I followed someone (7 boards) much different drift at different river hieghts. If I would have drifted from memory I think I would have made a couple of mistakes that could have got me in trouble. Following someone with experience in that section was very important.

As a couple board members have mentioned get out and take a walk down stream and check the water. Figure out how you are going to set up and the general path of your track through that section.

Antoher thing I do when I drift a section of difficult river for the first time is lighten the load. I take everything out of my boat I can unless it has to do with safety and the bare essentials of fishing. Lightening the load by 50lb and taking only 1 person with you definately helps.

Don't forget that extra oar and keep it handy.
Good luck and be careful