I don't know anything about the skiffs offered up by the major driftboat manufacturers. They seem to be a skiff drift boat hybrid. However, generally speaking, skiffs are a much faster and a more versatile craft than a drift boat. It's easier to mount a motor and they are easily outfitted to sail with. FOr lakes and flat rivers, you'll enjoy rowing a skiff much more than a drift boat. The reason that they aren't that popular in Washington is that they really aren't great on rivers with any sort of turbulence.

 

Itchy,

Skiffs are fine for lakes and rivers too, until you have to negotiate rapids. No rapids, no worries. A skiff doesn't turn, or spin, as readily as a driftboat either.

Probably the main reason you don't see many skiffs on WA rivers is because most people seem to go for overkill, i.e., over 90% of 4X4s sold in the US never leave pavement, and people buying pro-style downhill skis yet they never leave the bunny hill.

Sg

 

Itchy,
Probably the main reason you don't see many skiffs on WA rivers is because most people seem to go for overkill, i.e., over 90% of 4X4s sold in the US never leave pavement, and people buying pro-style downhill skis yet they never leave the bunny hill.

Sg

:rofl::rofl: Too funny.

 

They are more poular on very slow moving rivers. I know an outfitter in Idaho who use them on the Teton River. They would be a much better lake boat than a traditional drift boat because of the flatter rocker but would still be suitable for smaller, less turbulent rivers (class 1). One thing I've noticed is they don't seem to be much less (cost-wise) than a traditional drift boat. If I primarily fished lakes with a second person and wanted to fish the Yakima or such occasionally, then that is the boat I'd be looking at.

 

The RO 14' skiff floats in an incredibly skinny amount of water with a rower and two passengers.

The wash cloth you used on your face this morning just may have had enough water to float it. I dont remember exactly what the guys at the RO shop in Bozeman said but I want to say 1 1/4 inches of water.

That is my next river boat.

 

The RO 14' skiff floats in an incredibly skinny amount of water with a rower and two passengers.

The wash cloth you used on your face this morning just may have had enough water to float it. I dont remember exactly what the guys at the RO shop in Bozeman said but I want to say 1 1/4 inches of water.

That is my next river boat.

Jeremy, why would you want something like a skiff for where you fish? i guess it would be ok on the skagit, but the sky sauk and if you ever go to the coast it seems like it would be a disadvantage?

Itchy,

I would go for a raft if you want a do it all vessel. you and your son could pick it up and carry it if you need to. they row very well and the only thing that would limit where you can float is your rowing ability.

 

I know it's marketing- they're in the business to sell boats, but if this photo from RO's site is an indication, their skiffs can handle some turbulent water. Obviously without the pointed high rake bow they're not going to be as suited to the task as a DB, but they do seem like cool little boats. I might have to stop off and check them out since I'll be driving through Bozeman in a week...

 

jeremy, those boats are 15 feet and its three inches of water with a full load.

a ro skiff would be perfect for the yakima, they can handle a lot more water than most people think (see itchy's photo) and if you get the splash guard on the front, it is equivalent to a low pro.

 

When I was in their Bozeman shop about a month ago they showed me a brand new skiff. It weighed so little that one guy could dead lift it onto their back. I am pretty sure he said it floated in just over an inch of water with 2 passengers in it. It didn't sit as flat with only 1 guy in it and actually sat deeper with one end down.

 

they're always working on something crazy down there so i dont doubt that at all. there stock skiffs weigh very little as compared to the clack skiff which is a barge. the issue with ro skiffs that i have seen and been in is that they dont balance the weight very well when only two people are in them (rower and person up front). this isnt that big of a deal, there boats are still way more manuevarable then the rest.

 

Jergens,

I am already covered in the raft and drift boat category.

 

Here's a picture of John Farrar's Dean River skiff, Bella. It's certainly a piece of eye-candy compared to the usual Skagit River scow.

 

Bella is a great boat. Have had some great floats with John on the Skagit.
John was kind enough to show me the Sky when this skiff was new.

 

I really like the clacka headhunter. I came very close to buying one this winter but bought another Clacka 16' FB DB insted. For me the ability to mount a elect. or gas trolling motor on my db to hit the lakes and still be able to hit all the rivers in WA and Montana is a plus. The skiff would always worry me "rapids may be to big around the next corner". When I hit the lotto and buy a vacation house in twin bridges I will pick up the headhunter. PS I eaven have have my scotty elect. downriggers mouned on the db and I am ready for lake WA sockeye!

 

who wants a 500 pound skiff??? dont get the point there. SKIFFS ARE supposed to be light and manuverable

 

I have a 12.5' NRS Otter w/ rowing frame.

I had a Clackacraft and I much prefer the simplicity of the raft.

However I don't fish from the boat very often so a raft is fine for me.

 

I've rowed the Clacka and RO skiffs on the Yellowstone but own a Clacka LP because it's more versatile IMO. Rolling waves don't really scare me in a skiff but when it comes to hydraulics, that's another story. Big, bubbly, swirling water that is unpredictable and can suck the side of your boat under in a mili-second scares me half to death in a skiff, and safety on the river is always important. Wind? Sure, skiffs are better in the wind than an LP boat but comparing an LP to a high sided boat, the LP is much better. I don't know, and LP just seems like the perfect all-around boat, at least for MT rivers.

 

The skiff is intended for slow calm water. The design has little rocker, low sides and a flat nose, all of which are poor for technical water. The low rocker makes for increased stability, better tracking, and less water displacement. They won't turn as fast and every little rapid comes over the bow. They are great for rivers such as the Missouri where you might spend all day fishing a couple miles. They row up river very easy and anchor up easy so you can fish the same hole pass after pass. They also are better in the wind due to the small profile.

 

Here was my situation: Had a 16' FB Clack high side, great for salmon, steelhead, too big for lakes (chironomid fishing) or for fishing alone, too small for the sound. Also had an 8' Spring Creek Pram, which was excellent on lakes, a little low sided, excellent in the wind. Supposed to be ok for Class 2 rapids, but I didn't feel comfortable running any rivers in it, with one big rapid, it would probably fill up in the bow, but very light and stable on lakes, I even had it out in the sound before! Got rid of both and got myself a 10' 2 man pram. I can still float the rivers, its relatively low side 20" transom height with a notched stern for a motor, tracks well, is relatively lightweight just over 100lbs bare. Great for skinny water where you'd need three guy s in DB to scrape over obstacles, but heavier duty than a raft with little punchture protection. I can fish lakes with double anchor set up, can take two people, a little tight, but doable. I can go into the sound since I have a little 5 horse kicker motor, but I am still looking for a V-hull boat to better serve that purpose. Im pretty happy with the results and have never regreted selling the DB or Glass pram. Here is what it is:

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=31803&ppuser=5821

http://www.kofflerboats.com/white_water_prams.html# I think the 12' would be nice to try out, but it will be a bit heavier as well. I don't worry about stream hydraulics since the boat is pretty light and I can row out of any would be dangerous water.

I was lucky to find this setup, as it was loaded with alot of extras and goodies, I especially love the front stanchion with built in cup holders that serves as thigh braces as well.

 

I rowed a Clackacraft headhunter all summer and although skeptical at first was very impressed. The weight problem that chuckngear brings up was never an issue for me as i was not trying to carry it anywhere, and i think the weight was nice when there was a light load in the boat because it helped it track. I also found it to be very maneuverable, and often found myself shoving downstream because the boat slowed too much. if you are worried about weight buy a raft. The headhunter was great for me as the rivers i was fishing were low volume and windy. i also ran the boat some in june during highwater, and although i was much more comfortable in my high side boat, the skiff was plenty safe, just very little room for error.

 

have to agree on the tracking thing..thats the one thing RO skiffs struggle with... TRACKING.. both my roommates guide on the north platte..one in a RO skiff and one in a RO deville.. the roommate who owned the skiff is selling it now.... point made for slow tailwaters...really nice for backrowing back up the runs.. lite and easy..

other selling point of the skiff... you can launch that fucker just about anywhere.... ill dig up a few pictures of sketchy launchs...

as a previous owner of a RO skiff... we launched it off of... bridges, slid it down hills, banks, and it being light caried it down to rivers. game over. wonder how that skiff is doing i sold it to some dude from spokane to fish the yakima.... light tan...anyone seen it?

if you ever want to row a RO just go ask robert over in four corners...hell he might let you take it for three days....

 

agreed, skiffs are sweet. launch or takeout anywhere.

 

agreed, skiffs are sweet. launch or takeout anywhere.

I do believe that's on the Jefferson (forget the name of the bridge :thumb. Gnarly take out for sure. Did the little German Shepard puppies play with you at the ramp this summer? Cute little buggers.

 

Itchy,

How old is your son?

I have 30+ year old aluminum Wooldridge drift boat.

It was great for my son when he was a toddler because of the safety factor.

My son couldn't fall out of it. The sides are high enough and slanted inward, so if he leaned over the side and fell it would deposit him back into the boat.

The drift boat is very stable, another safety factor for both rivers and lakes.

I think the low profiled skiffs would excel in tight areas and on windy reservoirs, but the aluminum 16' drift boat is hard to beat for family safety.

A used aluminum drift boat is bullit proof, and is kid/dog friendly. No beutifull fiberglass gel coat to scratch with sandy feet or claws.

 

Itchy,

How old is your son?

I have 30+ year old aluminum Wooldridge drift boat.

It was great for my son when he was a toddler because of the safety factor.

My son couldn't fall out of it. The sides are high enough and slanted inward, so if he leaned over the side and fell it would deposit him back into the boat.

He's almost 15. I don't worry about him falling overboard unless I send him there with my boot in his ass! ; )