Stadle,
I am in the process of building a wood drift boat. Just for the fun of it and I think that they can be a work of art when completed and stained/varnished properly. They can't go where a good fiberglass or aluminum boat can go but I don't plan on using it in hard water to drift anyway (local rivers like the Nooch' and Satsop. I already have the sled. What I was going to tell you about is that I am reading a book that might help you out. It is called Drift Boat Strategies, written by Neale Streeks. So far it has been good reading and will give you the basics before you get on the water. I picked it up at the library. Another idea you might persue is taking a lesson from one of the local guides, they run around $100-$150. I did this when I first bought the sled and it was money well spent. I will probably do the same thing when I get the drift boat finished. Send me an e mail if your interested and I will send you his name and phone number.
Tight lines, Jeff