I am considering purchasing in the not so immediate future a boat that I can use on the river. What I am trying to figure out is why some people get a drift boat, while other people get a sled. I have not had the opportunity to fish the river from either as I have always stayed in salt water.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

(Please don't tell me a jet boat is faster. I know that much.)

Which do you prefer and why?

To many reasons to list the pros-cons.It's all in what your looking for.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

P.S. I have both if that helps.

Stalker,

It depends a lot on where you want to fish. Jet sleds are frowned upon on the O.P., and people threaten to slash your trailer tires if you're using a sled. Those rivers tend to be smaller for the most part, and jet sleds are better suited to large rivers.

Sleds are suited - and generally accepted - on the Skagit, Sky, Chehalis, Cowlitz, and N. Lewis. They are used, but with some conflict with drift boats, on the Satsop, Wynoochee, and Humptulips.

I like a sled sometimes because of the mobility to drive upstream as well as downstream. And I don't have to worry about spotting my tow vehicle at a downstream launch site. But I also prefer the quietude of silently drifting down a river, so I often use my raft or canoe.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Good description on why a basic sled on this page.

http://www.fishskagit.com/techniques.htm

Obviously, bigger sleds can carry more of everything and have the option of tops.

Drift boats are quiet and in my opinion better for smaller rivers.

One thing that Iwould ask myself is do I fish alone or do I fish with other people? If you fish alone I would tell you buy a sled. I have both but the drift but only gets used during march and april.

Get a driftboat They're quieter

17' driftboat with a large electric trolling motor and 3 batteries if you fish with friends and don't have to worry about turn arounds. A 16' or 17' small sled if you fish alone a lot. Don't get a flat bottom.

I had both. took a while to decide that I enjoyed fishing with the drift boat way more. It is just more relaxing. So now I have a drift boat and a salt water boat. Now that works!

on the chehalis(many parts, anyway) and the lower cowlitz you can get away with a prop motor

You can't get a sled down the Sol Duc. Well, not twice

Both boats take time to learn how to negotiate down a body of water, then you have to get dialed in on how to fish out of the crafts. # Of people you would usually fish with is also a dictater. Type of fishing you do if you want to have something where you will use it as a point A to B thing and fish the bank, or boondog, or anchor up, or be the motor man or on the oars and let friends/ clients fish. Make a list of your favorite fishing spots and think through the pro's and cons of each boat at each place. Nothing worse than having a huge boat payment every month and not using it because you are hiking into canyons to get to your fish. Two best days of your boating life, the day you buy that boat and the day you sell it. Good times

MY advise is to see which will let you fish more, if you dont have a saltwater boat, I'd lean towards a sled, b/c you can fish most inland waters along w/rivers, lakes...ect. Also if you do lean towards a sled I'd go for one 16-18' this is b/c you can fish the smaller rivers as the satsop, hump, wynoochie ect.

Good point, jackiepoo. Let your fishing preference determine your boat preference.

Or just get a drifter and find a buddy to plunk down for a sled...then you have all your bases covered.

I had the same problem and ended up buying a sled. I know it isn't close to home for you but you'll want to make a trip or two to the columbia and a sled is the better way to do it. There is just so many more places to fish a sled. A drift boat is great for small waters and the OP, but you'll miss out on a lot of other fishing that I guarrantee you'll enjoy.

drift boats generally dont piss off everyone around you like a sled does. (unless you are on big water)sleds are like dirt bikes or jet ski's, they are only cool when you are on it.

and if you get a sled, please have way more manners than 99% of the sled drivers out there. dont use it in low water or you will destroy hundreds of redds. dont blow by people at full speed like everyone on the sky does creating so much wake that people in drift boats have to sit down while you pass.

ps. sleds are generally accepted on the sky: but only by other sled drivers. i personally believe that sleds are destroying the sky and would like to see the river regs on smaller to medium rivers changed to a "no wake zone"