Well, I checked out some of the previous posts and they're pretty much on the money. Now, it all depends on how much of that money you really want to spend. You can go straight to Hyde boats and ask for their "Guide Returns". What Hyde does is everyyear they trade back old Hyde boats for New Hydes to the Licensed Guides. They have to return the boats with everything they ordered on it. So, you can call up Hyde and tell them what exactly you want on the boat and they'll go through their arsenal of used (but also reconditioned to meet Hyde standards) boats for the one you're looking for. If they don't have it they'll put you on a list for one that suits your needs. If I ever plan to buy another driftboat (not sure since I mostly use my Cat) I'll order one this way from Hyde. They run about $3000 but they're damned nice boats. I have a friend who's a guide (he's been in a few fishing magazine publications) who has one and swears by them. They're very sturdy and compare to a clackacraft for hull strength, if not more. I was told directly from Hyde that they've never had a hull brought back due to damage, that they're built pretty rugged for being fiberglass. Just some other possibility for you. If you're running fairly calm, non rocky rivers you can get by with a wooden boat. But, like alot of rivers over here, there's way too many rocks to dodge. I had an old wooden pram that held up pretty good, but was always on the caution for anything ahead or possibly underwater. Good luck....

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you haven't lived til you're rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.