driftboat question (Hyde owners needed)

Been rowing my friends Hyde hybrid boat. Seats 2 up front 1 in the back.

I've gotten used to its quirks but it still rows .....strange. it doesn't track right..kind of squirrely? If that explains it. I've tried different combos moving people around and behind me. Trying to crab/side row the thing is dam near impossible. He has cataracts on it. I feel like they are short. Not sure on the length I should have looked. The right oar lock binds the oar a bit making it largely a right forearm grip work out all day. The oar locks are raised with washers.....alloy thoughts how to make this boat row better?

Buy a Willie, is the bottom dead flat. If it is concave or convex could be huge problem.

Which hyde? Glass, aluminum or the hybrid?

That's the biggest advantage between an aluminum boat and glass. If you notice, the aluminum's have that welded on chine, which gives a nice crisp corner line to the bottom. This is what helps the boat track so well. The glass boats are "generally" rounded chines, and this leaves you with a "wondering" feel. Especially frustrating if you like to pull plugs.

I have owned a Hyde ProGuide Hybrid 16' for the last several years.
I bought it because of how great they row. My personal opinion, as well as that of several guide friends.
One specific point I appreciate is its ability to be "side rowed" or sculled. Other boats with tunnel hull designs don't allow for this as much. However, tunnels will make a boat track more straight downstream.

Hydes have a pronounced, elongated flat section in the bottom. this is what helps lift the boat and makes it easier to row. In order for this to function as intended it is IMPERATIVE the boat be balanced correctly. If it is not, it will row and handle much poorer, causing you to work a lot harder rowing. In this aspect they are much less forgiving than other designs. When you have it balanced correctly rowing can be nearly effortless. (Front to back balance, so the bottom section is parallel to the surface of slack water).

The spacer washers on the oarlocks help lift the oar so you are not hitting your knees. I would like to see hyde lift the sides like on their lowside boats and Clakacrafts.

I have 9'6" Cataracts on my boat and like them. Hyde recommends that length, but I still want to try my friends 9' to see the difference.
There are times when it feels like the lever works against me with the outside oar length that long.

As much as I love my Hyde, I will say they may not be built as tough as a Clakacraft, but I still doubt I would trade for any other boat. at least for how I use it. My four main rivers it sees are the Bogy, Sol Duc, Klickitat, and Yakima.

Must be a balance thing with your boat or it just has a gremlin in it. I have rowed many different boats over my rowing career and nothing compares to the aluminum Hyde I bought 12 years ago. Tracks great, easy to row, easy to maneuver. Try sacrificing something to appease your buddies poor rowing boat!

Well we need to monkey with moving seats around to balance it better. Maybe take out oar lock spacers. I'm 6'5" so hitting my knees is inevitable unless the seats are moved so j have leg room.

It's the hybrid boat. Mostly glass , aluminum seats and such.

Ya its extra squirrelly when side rowing. Just won't slide over evenly no matter how even I pull on the oars. I'm no slouch on the sticks in have great control.

Makes sense about aluminum chines. My step fathers Aluma weld is a Sherman tank but man it tracks awesome when pulling plugs or divers

Shoulda borrowed a lavro

If it is anything like my Clackacraft, get as much of that weight forward as possible.

Side rowing (sculling) you use both oars?? Well that explains it!!!

Ugh. Yeah. You ever pulled with one oar on a boat.....faiiiiil. hahha I btu ink we are crossing terminology

I use the water in the boat as a guide. In my Lavro if the water is pooled at my feet it's balanced properly forward to aft. May be different on a Hyde but it's still a good visual guide once it's dialed in.

You're a funny dood..... There is no crossing terminology here, it's more like you don't have a clue what the f**k you're doing..

You wouldn't know the difference from a boat that tracks well and one that does not if you think we are "crossing terminology"

Hyde Pro Series Aluminum w/ the UHDPE bottom. My experience is similar to Huntar's. It tracks true and is quite nimble in a variety of water from the OP rivers to the Yakima. Never had the issues Merg is raising, but I've never had 4 guys + gear in it either....

lol-Timber

Good one timber, and well said.

You should leave your arrogance and "I know it all" kinda attitude at home until you have more than 4 rivers (ones that actually require skill) to put on your resume there jerid. .not tryin to bust your balls too much here BUT if your starting a business, the better part of Valor is to shut the fack up...and not pick fights with guys who have a pic of the DB as their avatar, cause it might...just might mean he knows a thing or two more than ya

Merg, I need a truck load of porta potties to hold all the [Bleeeeep!] that comes out of your fat mouth. Can you hook up the financing for that or is fake fishing guide your full time gig now?

Anywhoo I'm out so enjoy rowing "your friends" Hyde......


And merg you won't see any glory shots when I get back... I don't roll that way!

Merg: " I'm no slouch on the sticks in have great control." Yee Yee
Now get ur asssss on the porch!

LATER!