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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on June 30, 2016 at 9:03am

Depends upon how experienced you are, how well you can read water, what the river you are on is like, how much other gear you are carrying, how much river experience you have and what size the people are. You might want to consider just one passenger each day of the float and focus on learning essential river skills. The boat may be capable of carrying that amount of load but are you?

My first river experiences taught me a lot. Almost died on the first trip so I guess I am a little conservative. Got some good education and have enjoyed boating for almost 50 years! Feel free to conatact me if you want some river tips.

Rick N

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Permalink Reply by dreu patterson on June 30, 2016 at 3:24pm

actually I was wondering about the boats weight capacity.I see now my question wasn't very clear. My skill level is novice and I look foward to testing what skills I do have.thanks for the reply rick-dreu

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on June 30, 2016 at 5:13pm

Dreu,

My first experience in a drift boat was many years ago and I remember it very well.  Was NOT a good experience.  It presented may problems, first and foremost was the rowers lack of experience.  We were filtered through darn near every tree hanging over the river (I was one of the lucky ones sitting in the front seat, :( lol ), almost lost a couple of rods snagged by trees.  Boat was ok for riding in the water but the high amount of weight challenged the rower beyond his skills on the sticks.  

We couldn't fish four out of the boat so it was basically used as a means to move down river from wading site to wading site.  As a result we were not able to fish some nice places on the river.

Wouldn't do four ever again, maybe not even three.  Two in my 16' double ender with a transom is just fine with me.  Just my 2 cents worth.

Dorf

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Permalink Reply by Mike Thomas on June 30, 2016 at 6:20pm

Dorf that sounds like your trip in my boat, but you asked for it !!! :) (or I should say agreed to it!!)

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on July 1, 2016 at 6:56am

Mike,  

I am Ready to go again!

phil 

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Permalink Reply by David Witton on July 1, 2016 at 3:13pm

Dreu

I'm guessing the boat wasn't designed for that load - that said, if you're on flat water you can give it a try and probably swim to shore if it doesn't work. Class III however, might be a different story ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on July 1, 2016 at 6:51pm

The boat was a glass boat and plenty of room for four people.  The real issue was the guy in the rowing seat wasn't very experienced nor strong enough (he was the smallest guy in the boat) to handle the additional weight of two additional people in the boat.  He had a heck of a time making it around the narrow and tight corners of the river we were trying to fish.

Wait till you have a few runs under your belt before you do the foursome.

G'Luck,

Dorf

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