I would highly recommend a good quality fiberglass boat like a Lavro. If you're fishing with your wife and kids, your probably fishing summer/fall which means low river flows. You get an aluminum boat and you'll be pushing it all day across shallow tailouts. Fiberglass boats will skip over most of these shallow spots. As you get more experienced, you might try the coastal streams where again a glass boat will give you an advantage by not sticking on the big rocks and turning you sideways in the current (bad deal). A good fiberglass boat can take every bit of abuse as an aluminum. You mentioned the Sky, you should stop into Lavro's shop in downtown Monroe and talk to Ron. Another point is if you do decide to change boats, resale on a Lavro is about the highest around due to high demand. As for starting out the middle river drifts (below Sultan) on the Sky are pretty straight forward and should be fine for a novice. Just remember to always point the bow of the boat at where you DON'T want to go, or at the danger, and row away. After you get used to the middle Sky try the drift from High Bridge (Big Eddy) to Sultan, this offers some minor challenges but still very doable if your not careless or drunk. Good Luck!

Beezer

[This message has been edited by Beezer (edited 06-19-2000).]