so now I just need to set it up.

It's a 16' x 54" drifter with two swivel seats up front over a hinge lidded storage box, strap rowing seat , a removable seat platform aft (no chair on it yet), has a removable fish box, gluvit, 30lb. anchor, and 9' Sawyer glass oars. I think that's it as far as "practical" features.

Besides rod holders (I'll probably put two up front and one for the rower), what does it need?

And Bob, if you see this, can I change my handle when I start using it??

A nice catch & release style net

Plug rods

Fish club

Milk jug with bottom cut out or something to drain water from boat in heavy rain.

I would suggest getting an extra drain plug incase you lose first one.

Bow rope for walking boat around places you do not wish to row through.

Life jackets, even if you do not wear them I think it is required to have them in the boat.

Spare oar

Heaters are always nice in the winter

Ice chest to keep the beer cold

Oh, yeah, I forgot it comes with a heater.

The bailer and fish club I hadn't thought about. Everything else I have laying around, except the plug rods. I've thought about that but not seriously enough to shop. I assume you're talking about a shorter (7' 6" or so) rod than what I would normally use for casting, preferably glass?

Maybe I'll check out the classifieds...

I suggest taking a trip up to Lake Stevens and visit Greg at "Greg's Custom Rods" for all your plug rod needs. He made me a beautiful pair of plug rods and I still had enough money left over to buy plenty of bait!!!!!!!!

What color is your db, hope to see ya on the river for pinks and silvers real soon.

Cigar

Thanks, cigar, I'll consider that. Pretty much just up the road from me as I'm about a mile from 9 at Snohomish.

It's a dark metallic red, almost maroon, I guess. I picked the color out of a GM paint chip book...wifey said I could have a boat if I got a red one, so what could I say?

It'll be ready Aug. 4 or somewhere in there, so plenty of time for silvers! Hopefully I'll get a shot at some steelies before then, if things pick up. Very, very anxious......[wringing hands]

Skywalker

Anything will work for plug rods your first year. I think it is more learning the rowing then the actual rods. Keeping the boat straight is not always easy.

Have you been in a drift boat before?

If not you should go your first time or two with someone. If you need we could go do a practice run in your boat or mine so you can get some oar time. I am no expert, still learning but I was shown by some guys that have been boating for many years. I have not flipped my boat or hit a big rock yet.

Lead Thrower, that's a generous offer and one of these days (when I'm confident I won't embarrass myself) I'll give you a shout and we'll hit the Sky.

I've been down the Sultan to Ben Howard stretch a couple dozen times, and done a little rowing myself in a buddy's drifter to make sure I like the idea. That's the only place I'll take the boat to start, and I won't run anything else without someone in the boat that's been there. I do eventually want to do something from up above (High Bridge...?) down to Sultan.

I'm not a gambler.....I won't even risk $2 on the lottery.

Congratulations!

What brand did you go with?

jimh, it's a Diamondback. The stuff they include with the package was just too good to pass up for the price. It's close to home, too.

There might be boats that have a bigger customer base, but the reference I talked to had nothing but good stuff to say about his (he's rowed a lot more boats than I have) and I bought the same one. I am pumped!

Sounds great Skywalker congrats.. don't forget a good loud wistle also your required to carry an audible devise that can be heard 1/2 mile away but please not a stereo:P

another good idea is a good knife with a cerated blade for cutting the anchor rope in an emergency.

Bait cooler, knife, pliers, towels, soap, lead holder, leader holders (rollers), etc...

Now you need to figure out what kind of toy you need to get back to point A!!

Cowlitzfisherman

They just keep coming. Damn, this is a great site! Thanks guys.

cf, I know I can find enough guys to fish with me (at least once

A camera to catch all the ups and downs...

Matt