The NRS Freestone Drifter Boat is the smaller cousin of the Clearwater Drifter. You can inflate the floor up to 15 psi for the best performance with heavier loads in rough water. Unlike a raft, the floor isnt squishy. Exceeding this will interfere with the self-bailing feature. NRS Clearwater Inflatable Drifter - $5,000 (Gallatin Gateway) If you're a river fisherman looking for an edge, you need to consider the NRS Clearwater Drifter.This revolutionary inflatable fishing boat combines the time-tested design of a drift boat with the rugged utility of a self-bailing raft.Specifics about this item:-Boat holds air, but has a few well patched pin holes -Located in the . Clearwater Drifter Assembly Video (7:04), NRS Clearwater Drifter: Chuckin' Line for Chrome (1:47), RiverMaps Colorado River in the Grand Canyon 8th Edition Guide Book. No hull slap, no noise when you touch the floor or drop something, and no noise when you hit bottom. Landon Mayer | Illustrations by Joe Mahler. The Drifter also comes with a repair kit, a protective wrap, and a high-pressure pump to get you ready for any river fishing trip coming your way. Weight: 320 lbs Like choosing a spouse, it pays to look around, as the wrong choice can be costly. From low water Smith trips to the kitchen sink on the Beartrap this boat does it all.Hate to get rid of this boat but no room to store it. Watch and wade with us as we chase bonefish on the sand flats of the Bahamas and tag them on the grass flats of the Keys. Length: 16' Product Details The NRS Freestone Drifter Boat is the smaller cousin of the Clearwater Drifter. The RV bucket boat or the RV-SB Self Bailing model are good options. If you're spending your recreational time in the boat (all day for weeks every season) it should be both comfortable and appropriate for the water types and the seasons you prefer to fish in. NRS | All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy & Security | Cookie Policy. The Clearwater Drifter is a hybrid drift boat/self-bailing raft that is one of the best inflatable fishing boats for rivers. Dont knowwill know soon when we get them in stock Monday! Boulder Boat Works uses a high-density polymer (plastic) instead of fiberglass or aluminum to mold its boat hulls. And were shipping it to you ground, which means you can ship it to any remote location in the world! All rights reserved. And, a few of our gang will be rowing the IDB. I would do the same things with this boat I would do with a South Fork Skiff, for example. Side release anchor is your only option. Hope this helps. Buy the gift thats always welcome and always fits. Ron, yes sorry missed that comment. The dimples create a layer of turbulence that envelopes the hull and reduces drag through the water so you can row more effortlessly. Other than that it should be an improvement over an Otter or Super Puma. Ball park dimensions? Ben Hardy guided a father and 8 year old down the Blackfoot, and had no problem with a smaller child in the front, while his father (pretty big guy) fished from the back. High pressure pump Their elusive behavior, expert camouflage and skittish personalities make bonefish the quintessential poster child for shallow water sight-fishing. You can inflate the floor up to 15 psi for the best performance with heavier loads in rough water. This boat was purchased a year and a half ago and used three times, owner decided he did not use it enough to validate owning the vessel. These were used as program boards through Camp Bighorn and were taken good care of and stored inside our gear shop. The self-bailing inflatable hull handles rocks and shallow water like a raft while tracking as stealthily as a traditional drift boat. Clean Drift Boat- Clackacraft WF Standard side - $7,200 (Edwards) Clean and well maintained Clackacraft 16ft Standard Side WF Guide model drift boat. If you live in the west, you probably first saw the uber-cool Diablo Chupacabra SOT/SUP at Headhunters. Weight (hull only): 110 lbs NRS came out with the Clearwater Drifter a few years back. You can also disassemble the modular frame and roll up the deflated hull to fit the entire boat in the trunks of most cars for simple transport and compact storage. 2017 NRS Clearwater Drifter. Im selling our inflatable drift boat. HEADHUNTERS SAYS: We love the NRS Freestone Drift Boat. Modular frame We recommend treating the raw edges of the plywood with a waterproofing stain or sealer. Drift boats on the upper Mississippi? You can stand on the gunnels, and the floor is what I would call stiff. Includes cataract oars [], BOTE recently posted a blog entry looking at some of the differences between their inflatable LONO kayak and rotomolded boats, read it here. An integrated pulley system allows the oarsmen to release the anchor from the middle of the boat. The three-chamber design and frame ensure it will keep floating and rowing even if an air chamber is compromised. Noise. WAY more interior room than a Puma. The self-bailing inflatable hull handles rocks and shallow water like a raft while tracking as stealthily as a traditional drift boat. Check out the full of story of Sage Indendi Johnson's journey from a path towards professional basketball to guiding in Alaska. 3 stainless steel D-rings at the bow provide handy tie-off points and let you winch the Freestone onto a trailer. An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. For the oarsmen, NRS added a highback padded raft seat with an adjustable foot bar for all-day comfort. The NRS Inflatable Drift Boat Freestone Drifter model will be available at Headhunters next spring for $5495.00. 3" stainless steel D-rings at the bow provide handy tie-off points and let you winch the Freestone onto a trailer. The NRS Freestone Drifter Boat is the smaller cousin of the Clearwater Drifter. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Made of tough drop-stitch PVC material, the Freestone inflates to a very rigid 9 psi, creating a stout 14-foot drift boat. One of the things I like about a raft is that I can take it fishing or I can take it for a 3 day tip with a few friends. It's perfect for those technical streams where the fishing's great but a rigid hull isn't practical. This hull design is perfect for CO rivers and will punch through wave trains and heavier water while still holding and rowing easily in lower water. Center Line Length: 14 So when I walked into the ICAST/IFTD show in Vegas last month and saw the new low sided, sexy looking Freestone I was pretty excited. It is absolutely silent. The Gray Ghost. A padded rowing seat and adjustable foot bar ensure all-day comfort for the oarsman. Other than that, we think its possibly the perfect boat for the angler who fishes everywhere in Montana, from little creeks on the eastside, to big rivers in the west. Buy the gift thats always welcome and always fits. Weight: 315 lbs The Freestone Drifter has a listed weight capacity of 900 lbs ( I think) and we have found that while it easily holds that, the boat exhibits some squirrly tendencies around strong eddies/hydraulics when maxed out. How-to articles, helpful videos, checklist and more. Get smart with the Thesis WordPress Theme from DIYthemes. Weve been watching folks redesign raft frames for years. A heavy-duty rub rail on the gunwales protects high-wear areas. Includes cataract oars w/ magnum blades, spare oar, repair kit, anchor rope, 30lb anchor, nrs "shelf" attachment and rod holders, and pump. A rigid transom in the stern allows you to attach a small outboard motor. Selling for $4800. Friend of ChiWulff Blake Merwin of the Gig Harbor Fly Shop is selling his NRS Clearwater Drifter. Or as you said a raft. For us, the Clearwater Drifter was a bit too big. Inflatable drift boat technology is not new. account. Protective boat wrap The innovative frame uses our ClampIT Frame Accessory to attach the frame to the hull, making for quicker assembly and the frame easily removable. For fishing, NRS equipped the Clearwater Drifter with two casting stations in the bow and stern. It has a collapsible, portable frame, so you don't need a trailer like a regular drift boat. Essentially a smaller version of the NRS Clearwater Drifter (which claimed the "Best in Show" title at the 2012 International Fly Tackle Dealer trade expo), the 14' Freestone can be disassembled, making it easy to transport. Casting stations in the bow and stern feature swiveling Angler Seats, marine-plywood decks with textured plastic-laminate surface and Thigh Hooks with Stripping Baskets for secure, comfortable casting in smooth or rough water. Highback Padded Raft Seat 900 pounds of people and gear. 17 long. 2 Thigh Hooks pavatimarine.com. And its pretty cool. Made of tough drop-stitch PVC material, the Freestone inflates to a very rigid 9 psi, creating a stout 14-foot drift boat. Turnkey boat with the maneuverability of a drift boat and the durability of a raft. NRS built the 17-foot Clearwater Drifter out of tough drop-stitch PVC material that can inflate to a rigid 9 psi, and you can inflate the floor up to 15 psi when you're nearing the thousand-pound limit over rougher waters. Not much different in size than a 13 foot raft. Selling my NRS inflatable drift boat. The hull has the removable cap drain holes in a recessed floor plate. Are you still outfitting these boats with 9 footers and how is that working out? Yes, the inflatable drift boat or IDB is here. It has 3 semi-permanent aluminum thwarts that stay in. Frame parts are easy to customize or change, and everyone prefers something a little different when it comes to raft frames. Simms Gear Tackle Bags, Challenger, Dry Creek Boat Luggage & Duffel Bags Rod and Reel Cases . When can I order one and what oar size do you recommend? Self-bailing. The Legacy comes standard with a motor-ready transom for big West Coast steelhead rivers, and has rod tubes that can hold 14' Spey rods without breaking them down. But, in certain situations, the Freestone out performs all three of its . While it probably wont replace a traditional hard boat on rivers like the Missouri, it does have one distinct advantage. Here's what he recently had to say about the boat in an email - I'm selling our inflatable drift boat. They were pulled from use at the beginning of 2022 as to not increase any wear and tear. Absolutely. Length: 17' I shredded one boat on a trailer and did a home repair with NRS hypalon and the correct glue. Beam: 74" The problem with rubber based boats is that they do not slide over rocks like hard sided boats. A perfect imitation of the ubiquitous dragonfly built with a compelling yet simple approach. This product is no longer available, but weve got more options for you: The NRS Freestone Drifter Boat is the smaller cousin of the Clearwater Drifter. The Clearwater stows readily in a garage, car or small aircraft, or you can ship it UPS to your next fishing destination. The latest Costa Film "Hooked On: Bonefish" explores the pursuit of this prized gamefish, which requires expert marksmanship and delicate execution to be successful. NRS Clearwater Drifter Built out of super durable drop stitch construction and featuring a stowable modular frame design, the NRS Clearwater Drifter is a fishing boat that is perfect for serious anglers. A drift boat may be the most expensive piece of fly-fishing equipment you buy this decade. NRS Rep Jim Macallister hauled the Freestone over to Craig last week to let us test drive it before it goes into production. All the frame aluminum has a tough anodized coating to minimize frame marking. If you're interested in purchasing the larger Clearwater Drifter, we can order that for you right now. An integrated pulley system allows the oarsmen to release the anchor from the middle of the boat. 3 people and gear, probably not, at least on a river with heavy currents and strong eddy lines. Clackacraft's newest boat the Eddy also has Clackacraft's GulfStream hull, with dimples like those on a golf ball. Rows like a drift boat, but is super light, responsive and bouncy like a raft. The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust's Dr. Ross Boucek explains what pharmaceutical and chemical runoff and pollution could mean for Florida's shallow-saltwater gamefish. Its three-chamber design ensures proper flotation even if one chamber deflates. Made of tough drop-stitch PVC material, the Freestone inflates to a very rigid 9 psi, creating a stout 14-foot drift boat. Most of us are not fans of rafts, though we do use them for smaller streams like the Dearborn, and for our remote Steelhead adventures. Heres what he recently had to say about the boat in an email Im selling our inflatable drift boat. Anchor System (line & anchor not included) This boat was part of the NRS demo fleet but was never used on the water. Its an NRS Clearwater Drifter. My loss is your gain. Heres a few of our thoughts: The technology of this drop stitch material the same stuff NRS uses for its popular Stand Up Paddleboards is pretty amazing. Unlike a raft, it is super easy to get in and out of. That's how Bo and Luke Duke (The Dukes of Hazard) used to do it, but when you are getting up there in years, it's nice to have a working door. By providing this information, you are opting to receive email communications from nrs.com and agreeing that you have read our privacy & cookie policies. You can definitely walk around just like a hard boat. It's 17 feet long, and 82 inches wide at the beam between oarlocks. The NRS Clearwater Drifter combines the time-tested design of drift boats with the rugged utility of a self-bailing raft to give you the best performance and convenience for fishing in rivers. Its three-chamber design ensures proper flotation even if one chamber deflates. NRS was recommending 9.5 footers, which Ive tried. Line catchers do exist. Weight (total with frame): 260 lbs Day 3, Julie, Adair and I took it over to the Blackfoot as well. There are a few negatives, of course. 2022 NRS 10'8" Thrive SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) with Paddle. By providing this information, you are opting to receive email communications from nrs.com and agreeing that you have read our privacy & cookie policies. And it disassembles and can . 12Ft tilt trailer with new wiring and tail lights. About the same as a Cat with a full gear frame. . It was very awesome out of the box thinking, and while a great boat for certain applications, it was a little to big for rivers such as the Truckee and could . I personally was stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the Clearwater Drifter's super . It still has a raft frame inside. Learn to tie the Woolly Bugger fly with master tier Charlie Craven. by owner + . High rocker in the bow and stern shorten the waterline for superior tracking and anchoring while helping the boat ride over waves. The Drifter also comes with a repair kit, a protective wrap, and a high-pressure pump to get you ready for any river fishing trip coming your way. You can inflate the floor up to 15 psi for the best performance with heavier loads in rough water. Ive also used 9 footers. Image via the linked AT post. 3" stainless steel D-rings at the bow provide handy tie-off points and let you winch the Clearwater onto a trailer. It is easy to handle as it weighs in the 250# range. NRS | All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy & Security | Cookie Policy. I'm leaning towards a RMR Storm with a NRS frame. 17 long. Learn to tie the versatile Hare's Ear with master tier Charlie Craven. Almost every critical comment by us or anyone who checked it out revolves around the frame. The NRS Clearwater Drifter combines the time-tested design of drift boats with the rugged utility of a self-bailing raft to give you the best performance and convenience for fishing in rivers. Priced around $3200 new gets me on the water. It rows like a drift boat, making small maneuvers and moving against the current with ease. Heres a video from NRS featuring the larger Clearwater Drifter. A high rocker in the bow and stern shorten the waterline to help you track fish, anchor the boat, and ride over waves. It's perfect for those technical streams where the fishing's great but a rigid drift boat hull isn't practical. Star Challenger Inflatable Sit-On-Top Fishing Kayak. According to general manager Steve Ehredt, the hulls are stronger than fiberglass, and quieter than aluminum, which also sticks on rocks. Im guessing the LONOs are a handful and a half in the wind, but theres much to be impressed by here anybody grab one of these yet and fly fishing out []. The three-chamber design and frame ensure it will keep floating and rowing even if an air chamber is compromised. Inside, the rod holders are slick and easy to use, and everything else is smartly arranged so it's right at your fingertips. ' Selling for $4800. The rivers see some class 3 whitewater but more importantly they are full of shallow riffles full of boulders. $ 7,799.00 Read more. All parts included with a new Clearwater Drifter are included with this used one as well. Even though it has a constant rocker, it is designed to support weight in the rear as well as the front. NRS Clearwater Drifter Inflatable Drift Boat Raft With Tilt Trailer - $4000 (Gunnison) View larger image Ad id: 2910196913425231 Views: 593 Price: $4,000.00 Selling my NRS inflatable drift boat. Aluminum Dry Box: 16"W x 14.5"H x 36"L, 4.8 cubic foot, 2 Plasic-laminated marine-plywood casting platforms, Anchor System (line & anchor not included).