So, ... hmmmph ... ok, I am thinking of trading my barely used cataraft on a small lightweight driftboat. I've seen some mini-drifters while browsing on manufacturer's websites. Like Clackacraft and Don Hill have little 2 man flatended ones about 11 ft. long. Does anyone have one of these little boats and do they work pretty well on moderate rivers? I like the idea of a real light one for running the river when the water is really low - easier to drag over shallows or have my fishing partner lift it. But I don't want water splashing over the bigger tilted flat front end of the boat when running thru some larger waves. How well does that front end keep the waves out? Thanks.

- What about the smaller and lighter 14 ft. driftboats? Who has a good one for the purposes I mentioned?

- Why hasn't anyone come out with a James Bond type hovercraft river boat that would just run right over shallow rocky areas of the river? In fact, you could 'hover' it right off the trailer anywhere and airpocket ride it down to the river about any place. Geez, that's it! The impeller fans would airfloat it just above the surface and the forward/aft small propellers would propell it around where and how fast you wanted it too go. And for a bonus, on low gin clear water that you are the only boat that can run, the bottom fans would put a nice broken riffle on top of the water over the entire hole - unspooking the fish! Is that cool or what? First guy out with this thing that can make an effective one that costs a lot less than a Porche Turbo ($100K), will become a rich dude!

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RT
VP Research & Developement
PFD and Rip-proof Wader Division
Sauk River Steelhead Ranch

RT, Thanks for the post, I was just getting ready to post a similar question. I have searched most of the major drift boat manufactures myself. I have yet to come up with pricing, stability and answers on how they handle in the 11'-14' models. I'll keep my eyes and ears open and check your thread often. I will post any info that I can come up with that would help in making a decision to buy.
Scott

For a (1) person boat it's the way to go (in low or high water conditions). I owned a 10 foot Don Hill mini-drifter for a few years with great success. If you're good on the oars you can go just about anywhere with it. I drifted the Calawah and Sol Duc with it for years. Go for it. They are fairly tough to boot!

I've floated a small river with some fairly big water in the Don Hill mini drifter and it handled it with ease. The small boat makes maneuvering really easy. They're not nearly as comfortable to fish from as a bigger boat but they'll go anywheres. Ask your editor about his. You could also get the same versatility with more comfort from a Puma.

Bruce

Thanks for the info so far guys. Keep it coming. Hey Bruce, I think I've heard of Puma inflatables. Do they make a small lightweight fiberglass driftboat that you are referring to? Do they have a site that I can look at one, and check out specs and prices? Thanks. - Steve

RT,
Pumas are rafts made by AIRE. They are 11'4' by 5'6". New ones with a good fishing frame are pretty spendy and used ones are tough to find. I myself am in the market for a used one right now.

RT,

I floated the N fork Santiam in Tricky Nick's Don Hill Mini-drifter last June and it worked OK. You'll get some water in the face from the standing waves, and it takes about 20 oar strokes to move it as far as you could move a drift boat in 5 strokes, but it wasn't too bad. I'm not sure it would be suitable for you and another bigger ( ) guy, though. With me and my buddy in it, with gear, it was sluggish and neither one of us is a man of your stature, if you know what I mean.