I ended up going with a framed raft vs a drift boat. its more manueverable and can run in shallower water. certainly doesnt have as much storage but i'm just doing day trips with it so it works out well. I need to put together a home made rod holder system of some type this winter
As I mentioned before It is virtually impossible for me to get my Hyde back onto the trailer by myself. Now I only float if I can do so with a partner. There is a viable option though. You could mount, of have someone do it for you, a battery operated winch with remote control. Then you could back the trailer into the river, wade out to retrieve your boat, center it on the trailer, and activate the remote control to winch the boat up to the rubber bumper. I looked at them on Amazon. They range in price from about $200 to $600. I have read though the retrieve speed is very slow and that might tick guys off if there is a queue waiting to take out.
Screw the queue. Once you've earned your stripes, the young, impatient folks can wait. Or, if they are in such a hurry they can help load your boat faster.
Figure if you’re putting in right behind me I’m gonna hit all your the spots and catch all your fish anyways. Shoulda gotten there either earlier or later
I used to get nervous at the takeout ramp if it was taking me longer to get the boat back onto the trailer. Now I just do my best, I don't waste time but I don't rush either. You are 100% spot on! I earned my right to be a little slower at the take out ramp when I am by myself. Actually there have been a number of occasions where guys did offer to either wade out and center the boat on the trailer while I winch it back on. Twice when the current was strong I had to ask for help to get it back on.
I guess at 80 I suck getting the Hyde onto the trailer when I am by myself.
Yes, having a partner makes a takeout a breeze. I get the car and back the trailer in and by that time the oars are stowed and I'm at the winch and my partner has the boat centered on the trailer.
