Drift Boat Or Raft?

When exploring various types of watercraft, you may have come across the terms “drift boat” and “raft.” There are three primary commonalities of drift boats and rafts.

The first is that they are both flat-bottomed boats with a resulting shallow draft and are both suitable for shallow waters as a result. The second commonality is that they can handle calm waters and turbulent conditions, such as those you would find in river rapids. In fact, some drift boats are capable of handling Class IV rapids. The third commonality is their propulsion. Both types are propelled and maneuvered by oars, although certain exceptions do apply.

What Is A Drift Boat?

• A flat-bottomed, shallow-draft boat.
• Most commonly constructed from aluminum, wood, or fiberglass.
• It can be used for still-water activities, such as fly fishing and photography.
• It can be used to tackle river rapids and turbulent waters.
• Excellent maneuverability and turning ability.
• Certain models can be fitted with a small motor.
• It can be outfitted with permanent, watertight, and lockable storage.
• More expensive and maintenance-intensive than a raft, as prices will often be in the tens of thousands of dollars for a brand-new.
• Care must be taken in rocky areas, as a hard knock or bump can damage the hull.
• You need a vehicle or other method to transport a drift boat.

A drift boat is a flat-bottomed boat made from aluminum, wood, or fiberglass. It is an evolution of a fishing boat known as a dory boat and is often carried aboard larger vessels and launched offshore in a fishing area.

Drift boats are ideal for fly fishing, camping, photography, and other still-water activities. But they can also tackle river rapids in narrow canyons and rivers with boulders. They can turn very quickly, and a skilled oarsman can even spin the boat around in response to changing conditions. Even though we said both kinds are human-powered, that is not technically true. It is possible to fit a small trolling motor on certain drift boats. However, this is governed by strict regulations. 

Furthermore, unlike a raft, a drift boat can be fitted with permanent, watertight, and lockable storage for your electronics and valuables. Drift boats are much more expensive than rafts. They require more storage space than an inflatable raft that can be deflated and folded. Consequently, they would require a trailer to transport. They also have more significant maintenance requirements. Finally, you need to be careful when maneuvering the boat, as a hard knock or bump into a sharp rock or another drift boat can damage the hull.

What Is A Raft?

• A flat-bottomed and shallow-draft boat.
• It is made from flexible materials and inflated with air.
• Suitable for turbulent waters, but it can be used in still waters too.
• More durable to knocks and bumps but can be punctured and deflated as a result.
• It is notably cheaper and lower maintenance than a drift boat, as prices may range from several hundred to several thousand dollars for a brand-new unit.
• It can be deflated, folded, and easily transported.
• There is no option for mounting a motor.
• No facilities for watertight and lockable storage on board.

A raft is also a flat-bottomed, shallow-draft boat that is made from Hypalon, urethane, or PVC. As you may have guessed, it has to be inflated with air. It is also powered by oars, typically with a single-bladed oar similar to those used in canoeing.

Rafts can also be used for still-water activities, but their relatively flexible natures make them more suitable for thrilling activities on turbulent waters such as whitewater rafting. They can be a bit wobbly as a stationary platform, and they are not ideal for activities like photography. In addition, a raft is less concerned with bumping into obstacles and other rafts unlike a drift boat. Thus, they can take a lot more abuse than a drift boat. This is one of the reasons why militaries around the world tend to use them for certain water-based operations. 

A raft is cheaper than a drift boat and can be easily deflated for easy transport. However, a raft is not totally invincible, and it can potentially be punctured by a sharp-edged rock or tree branch. Also, due to this portable design, you will not find a permanent, lockable, and watertight compartment for your electronics or other dry items on board. 

Summary

Both drift boats and rafts have several overlaps and differences that must be considered when determining which vessel best suits your needs. If you are still uncertain, the best avenue would be to rent one of each and try them out for yourself. We hope that this article has been helpful to you in identifying whether a drift boat or a raft is best suited for you. Stay safe, and don’t forget your life jacket!