Which Boat Is Right For Me?
Its important to remember that we are talking about boats made to drift down flowing rivers. Although this sounds simple its obvious that a boat designed to float a single person down a small creek is going to be quite a bit different from a boat designed to safely take five people down the Grand Canyon.
The smallest boat that safely accomplishes its job.
You don't hear these words on most sales floors but this is some of the most common advice from you will hear from experienced boat owners. It is true of all boats from the smallest dingy to the largest yacht. The larger the boat the more expensive it is to purchase, maintain, store, and transport. Matching a boats performance to its purpose is what makes it a joy to own and use.
The most drift boat for the least money.
By using two 4x8 marine plywood panels that are scarfed together end to end, the two sides of a boat will just fit if the length does not exceed the sixteen foot length and the height at the oar locks is not taller than 24 inches . At these magic measurements you build the largest boat for the lowest cost. This size of boat has become known as the 16x48. The bottom is forty eight inches at its widest point and the longest part of plywood along the handrail is sixteen feet. It is a perfect size for a rower and two fishing buddies on day trips, or a rower and one fishing buddy with extra camping gear. There is still one critical design decision that can be made to customize this size of boat. The bottom shape can be designed symmetrically for even distribution of weight from front to back, or the bottom can be designed with the widest point more to the stem of the boat for two anglers in front of the rower. Both designs are historic. I've seen boats built in the 1950s on the McKenzie that have symmetrical bottoms as well as boat bottoms that are asymmetrical.The asymmetrical design for two anglers in front has become the white water standard for the Northwest
Boats smaller than the 16x48 have specific reasons for being smaller usually revolving around light weight; car top transport, single rower with no passenger, easy portage, or launch where there is no boat ramp.
Boats larger than the 16x48 have a specific reason to be larger usually revolving around larger loads or big white water; larger than class III rapids, extended camping trips, more or larger than average passengers.
There is one important consideration for big white water and the 16x48. It takes an experienced rower to safely maneuver this boat through class IV rapids. It is just short enough and light enough to get into trouble in big stand up waves. The BASICS sections on LENGTH and WEIGHT explain why.
