Row a Drift Boat
Drift boats are designed specifically to run rivers and as such are incredibly maneuverable and are used by fishermen, hunters, river adventurers, and novice vacationers alike. Drift boats came out of the Pacific Northwest and quickly caught on throughout the rest of America. Learning how to row a drift boat is not as difficult as it might seem. Once you get the rowing basics down you will soon learn how to work the boat in the river like a pro.
Contents
Steps
Learn the Basics of Rowing a Drift Boat
- Practice using a backstroke.
- Until you are comfortable with your skills, practice your Swim Backstroke in a calm area of the river where there are few obstacles and you can easily control the boat.
- Sit in the row seat facing the bow of the boat (the bow is the high end of the boat).
- Place each oar in its oarlock.
- Face the drift boat downstream so that the bow (and you) are facing downstream.
- Grab hold of both the oars (the end of each oar in each hand).
- Push down on the oars until they are level with the boat. They will be out of the water.
- Push forward so the oars reach out behind you.
- Place the oars down in the water.
- Pull the oars back so they run through the water and in front of you.
- Return to the beginning seated position.
- Try turning the boat.
- Use only one oar and complete the backstroke movement. If you use the right oar, it moves the boat backward and to the left. If you use the left oar, it moves the boat backward and to the right. Try the same movement while holding the other oar steady in the water. This will help to pivot the boat.
- Work on the scissor stroke, also called a river turn.
- Push forward with one oar while you pull back with the other. You’re basically completing a forward stroke with one hand and a backstroke with the other. This causes the boat to spin.
- Stop the drift boat.
- Hold an oar in each hand with the oars level and pushed out of the water. Push the oars straight down into the water and hold them in place as much as possible.
- Exit the boat.
- Pull the oars into the boat (all the way up to the blade) and place them in front of you (called shipping). Then exit by the transom (stern) so the boat doesn't act violently as you leave.
Avoid Obstacles in the River
- Point the bow of the boat toward the obstacle (also called “setting up the boat”) and backstroke away from it. Leaning away will increase the chances of flipping the boat.
- Pivot the boat by dragging one oar in the water while backstroking with the other oar until the drift boat is about 45-degrees across the river current.
- Backstroke with both oars away from the obstacle.
- Straighten out the drift boat and move the boat around the obstacle.
- Be wary of the Cross Rivers Safely outside bend where the water’s velocity increases and often collects downed trees and rocks.
- Set up the boat when you spot the outside bend. Aim the stern of the drift boat toward the bend’s inside corner.
- Use the backstroke to push the boat away from the outside bank.
Recover from Dangerous Situations
- Lean into a rock in your drift boat to keep water from filling the boat. This is called broaching.
- Push away from the rock with your hands, oars or feet.
- Re-slam your oar when it pops out of the oarlock.
- Be familiar with how your oar fits into your oarlock. Practice fitting the oars into the oar locks from different positions so you can easily “re-slam” them in any situation. You should be able to re-slam your oars in 2 seconds.
Tips
- Carry a spare oar in the boat.
- Don’t force the blade of the oar deep into the water. Have the blade enter the water vertically and then run it just below the water’s surface.
- Wear light gloves to avoid blisters from forming on your hands.
- Don’t let go of your oars while in the river. Ship the oars instead.
- Use long, sweeping strokes within a parameter of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of water. This will make the ride easier on your body and more comfortable for the riders.
Warnings
- Take the time to scout any rough water before running it.
- Do not underestimate the dangers of the river. Wear a life jacket to stay afloat.
