Glas or Alu......when that uber deal presents itself (shop hard) go for it.
I'm a tin guy but I do like glas as well. Lavro was my first DB ride.

As stated above, trailer quality is very important. You will see all manner of trailers in your quest. Avoid anything that looks like homemade, converted, bolt together or thin wall crap.
A bona fide, industry-standard DB trailer like a Baker will cost about $1500 new. There are other trailer brands around that are similar to a Baker......look for those qualities in your trailer.

You weren't sneaking around my yard looking at my trailer, were you DD?



Fish on...

Todd

I bought an older 1988 Clackacraft a year ago January. I saw the ad and I happened to be going to an address directly across the road the next day.

Looking before that I had found that almost all the lower priced driftboats had scrap metal for trailers. This boat was sitting on a trailer that was very solid and except for some surface rust looked just like the trailers that are being sold with the newer Clackcrafts.

I paid $950.00 which I figured the trailer had to be worth. The oars that came with it were old wood oars so since then I have picked up some Lamiglass oars and I just picked up some floating blades.

Bad thing is, I still have not had it out. I need to get out with someone that can show me a few things on some of the more mellow drifts to start out with.

I will keep an eye out for you, I have seen some other deals lately.

Get one with a rear view mirror, the fastest anchor pulley system around and some big blades on the oars.

Also recommended: a rear mounted flagpole, hoisting a flag that that says "Sorry, first driftboat", and the new driftboat license issued by WDFW.

Both materials have their advantages, but the premise that tin is tougher than glass is a myth, which still persists today, even though it's been clearly proven otherwise by folks like Ron L. and those who run much tougher navigitable waters than we have here in the NW.

I'll never forget doing a 3 day float down the Klickitat one September with a guide friend (MHRIP) and our wives. At the time he was very apprehensive about me taking my Lavro, as he did not think much of glass. Typical of that time of year, the river was very running low and was as brown as chocolate milk. With our boats loaded with camping gear I was still sliding over skinny stuff that he was pushing and pulling his way through. His wife wasn't pleased and he was totally thrashed by the end of each day. On top of that, due to poor visibility we both chunked a lot of basalt rocks really hard. The Lavro had one minor chip, the Alum....ld had numerous sizeable dents and a caved chine that caused him to sell the boat shortly thereafter. Although he bought another tin boat, he never doubted glass again.

From a functional and maintenance standpoint, I think glass and tin are pretty equal. For every advantage one might have, there is a contrasting benefit for the other. As an example, glass might manuever better due to rounded chines, but then an aluminum may track better because of it's sharper chines. It's kind of rock, paper, scissors depending on the water or your own particular situation.

PM sent.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've been talking with a guy at work about Lavro boats. He actually knows Ron quite well and he swears by his Lavro. I would probably jump on a good deal whether it was aluminum or fiberglass but am leaning towards a glass boat now. What are some other good trailers aside from Baker so I know what to look for? Also, what am I looking for in a decent oar if the boat comes with them?

Thank you,

Drew

I'm still in the process of Ho'ing my first ride. Check my sig I thought that might get me into the club but it hasn't worked yet I'd love to get out and learn a few things about drift boating so please keep me in mind if any of you ever find yourself with an open seat. I drive a tundra so I could even help tow the boat from the take out back to the launch instead of just shuttling.

Thanks everybody,

Drew

Got a seat in the morning for a one day trip to a coastal river. If you can meet us (Seastrike and I) in the Wallingford area @ 3:30am you're in.

Drew,

On a trailer, it's a good idea to go galvanized, even if you don't think you'll be using it in the salt (which you probably will ) I'm also a proponent of bigger tires, especially if you are going to travel far or into rough launches. If you are dealing with Lavro or some other boat maker they will usually steer you right on trailers.

Oars are highly personal choice. You can't go wrong with basic wood oars (like Sawyer Lite) as they have a good feel and your needs aren't technical. Their condition should be fairly obvious. Wood can be refinished a number of times if they haven't been left too long. Blades take most of the beating on composite oars and these can usually be replaced fairly easily.

Anybody needs a set of 8 1/2' new or 9' used wood oars send PM. Haven't had a chance to post up on classifieds yet.

PM sent!

Found a 15 foot aluminum Skookum DB with a no name trailer, oars, fish box, and a propane tank mount for $2k. Also found a 16' Lavro lazy drifter for $1,500 with trailer (looks to be a custom trailer) Good deals?

Drew

never heard of a skookum drift boat before...

The Lavro sounds like it might be worth a look.

Pics please !
Just look at a Baker so you can see what a DB trailer is supposed to look like when you're out shopping.
Chances are you may not get one but there are other trailer builders that are similar in design if you know what to look for.

There is merit in having a sound but ugly DB trailer these days.
Three galvanized Bakers stolen on the Kalama and EFL last summer that I know of.

That would be a bad end to a good day! Do they make some kind of drift boat trailer boot you could put on one of the wheels so it would at least take some time for the thieves to steal the trailer? Or are there any other forms of anti theft for trailers other than a 12 gauge?

Drew

$1,500 for a Lazydrifter is a pretty good price. Don't worry about the cosmetic scratches. As long as there are no glass fibers sticking out your golden.

My LD look likes hell out of the water but is as sound as can be in the water.

I'm actualy surprised you found one as used Lavro's don't come up for sale very often.

I've had my 16' Lazy Drifter for 15 years. It's almost like new and I've hit a lot of rocks. Doubt I'll ever get another db. $1,500 for one sounds like a good deal.

Good luck.
Beezer

The Lavro in Olympia thats on CL?

Thats a scary looking trailer.