Ted Calcaterra Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 I currently own a 1648 Blazer jet and love it. I have thought about someday selling/trading it in for a power drift that I could use as a jet boat and drift boat. Has anyone seen these on MO or AR waters? I am sure they would work just fine on the tailwaters but am curious on how well they draft and would compare to some of the ozark streams I fish such as Meramec and Gasconade. The manufactuer says it will draft in 3" of water. If true, thats pretty good. Thoughts. They look like alot of fun and safe to fish.
snagged in outlet 3 Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 I like the idea but aluminum is horrible when it drags the bottom. How about the same setup in fiberglass? SIO3
gotmuddy Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 I like the idea but aluminum is horrible when it drags the bottom. How about the same setup in fiberglass? SIO3 I agree, maybe if the boat had a coat of gluv-it or steelflex epoxy on the hull. the 3" draft is likely while on plane. everything in this post is purely opinion and is said to annoy you.
Al Agnew Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Hmm...Let's think about it a bit. It should draft similar to a well set up jetboat, so no advantage there. The radical rake in front should make it pretty maneuverable with oars, though not as good as an ordinary drift boat. That radically high front end, while certainly okay to fish from if you're standing up, pretty much precludes the use of a trolling motor. So...the uses for this boat would be on larger Ozark streams, where you have one person rowing while the other fishes. I don't think it would work for one person...have to have somebody handling the oars. All in all, I don't see any real advantages over a jetboat for Ozark streams...I think the jetboat would be more comfortable to fish from, would go anywhere this craft could go, and could be used solo with a trolling motor. Gotta also wonder how well it would hang in there on sharp curves. From the photos, there just isn't much length in the water while running. Seems like it would slide out from under you on the turns. I think this craft is designed for upstream travel in heavy rapids on larger rivers, hence the high, pointed front end to part the heavy water and keep the ride reasonably dry. I don't think it is an optimum design for our Ozark rivers.
Terry Beeson Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 Spot on Al.... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Ted Calcaterra Posted January 5, 2011 Author Posted January 5, 2011 OK. All great advice. I knew their would be some good opinions. I have a different question now and will start a new thread. As you can tell I am thinking about selling / trading in my current 1648 Blazer.
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