To Skiff or Drift?

**CallMeAl** · 03-20-2015, 10:39 AM

I just reluctantly sold my trusty NRS Otter, and now I'm searching for the right fiberglass boat to guide out of.

So, skiff or traditional drift boat? I've got plenty of experience in the latter, but have never even set foot in a skiff. What are your experiences in them?

I'll be running this boat on the Yellowstone and Madison. Mostly Yellowsotne. Are skiffs stable enough for running gapers, er... clients, down, say, the McConnel section at high water?

Thanks in advance for the insights. Also, let me know if you've got a line on a deal on either!

Alex

**WAlove** · 03-20-2015, 10:50 AM

Go talk to Robert at RO, they make two skiffs (14' RO skiff is light and nimble the 16' camino is big and stable), and the low sided deville, one of those should suit your needs. I'd bet he would let take one out to see how it rows too. It's a good time of year to get a used boat, as people are trading in and picking up there new models.

**snapt** · 03-20-2015, 11:27 AM

I know some folks who have run an RO skiff in some pretty rowdy high water stuff on the green no problem. RO seem like good people too.
Never fished out of the RO but lots of time in the Adipose, nice rowing boats, lots of room, not a lot of storage, great in the wind. Way expensive though.
Clacka Eddy would be a good compromise between the 2 without losing much either way.

**schwerty** · 03-20-2015, 11:55 AM

Adipose makes a great boat! So does RO. I've fished out of and rowed quite few skiffs. They are nice in the wind and for guiding, it makes you a hero when guests can sit all day. I haven't been in that business in a long time but I can remember guides that had skiffs getting extra work from time to time because some guests need to sit and fish. Not that you can't sit in the front of a low profile or even a high sided drift boat and fish but it's easier and more fun in a skiff. If that matters to you then I'd go that route.

I've seen guys row the snake river canyon, (III-IV), and the upper green, (lots of rock gardens - class III), and get through. Certainly wouldn't be my boat of choice for anything besides I and II water. Even relatively flat water with pushy currents and hydraulics can get interesting if someone wants to bank a fart, depending on the boat you're in!

I'd stick with a low pro style boat up there but that's just me. Plenty of skiffs running that water, I think....

Edit: check out www.stealthcraftboats.com if you want something different than what the rest of the folks are rowing. Not sure if they are building a skiff or not...I wanna say yes. Super awesome for guiding. I've convinced 3 guys to go that route since I got in one, (16' Superfly - you'd prolly want a 15' in their boats), and they have all been super excited about them.

**skifishbum** · 03-20-2015, 01:43 PM

sit and fish
sounds bobberishly boring
but props to them who still get out n after it and support the local dirtbag economy
some day i'm gonna get 2 row schweries sweet lookin rigs
maybe some day even get a new boat
road this 18' flats skiff in 4-8 footers once
needs leg locks

**Row Jimmy** · 03-23-2015, 02:03 PM

If I were guiding the Stone I would opt for the low side drifter over the skiff. With high water, standing wave trains, hydraulics etc. it gives you a little more room for error. A good oarsmen can deal with the Yellie in a skiff no problem, but dealing with dudes and all the variables, one move the wrong way and you are taking on water and then swimming. JMO

**CallMeAl** · 03-24-2015, 08:55 AM

This is all good info, thanks guys. Those Stealth Crafts and Adipose look sick. I ended up picking this guy up in Pocatello for $3,500. Not exactly what I was looking for, but it's mint and the price was right. The guy advertised it as an '04 LP, but it's definitely not. I think it's a weight-forward, can anyone verify this?

Alex