MidCurrent Tested and Trusted: Hyde Low Profile Drift Boat

There comes a time in every fly angler’s life when they decide to buy a boat. It’s a decision that doesn’t come lightly. Boats are expensive to buy and maintain. They come with a whole menagerie of accessories—oars, motors, and trailers—and in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors which all must be considered before committing. In fact, it’s quite possible that aside from proposing to your significant other, putting a down payment on your first home, and choosing your first saltwater fishing destination, buying a boat may be the most important decision of your life.

I went through the entire watercraft menagerie when choosing my fly fishing boat. From kayaks and canoes I couldn’t stand up in, to heavy-framed rafts that took hours to assemble and rowed like waterlogged tea bags, to leaky john boats that slowly sank beneath me as I cast—I tried them all without success. I was honestly about to give up and resign myself to bank fishing when I found an old Hyde Low Profile drift boat for sale and realized I was going to be a boat owner after all.

Light and Maneuverable

The biggest thing that sets Hyde Low Profile drift boats apart is their maneuverability. Designed with a short belly that lightly rests on the water like a duck taking flight, the boat provides the rower with exceptional control. With just the lightest touch of the oars, you can turn on a dime and work your way down even the tightest river corners while easily scooting around logs, rocks, or rapids. It’s the perfect boat for reaching all those hard-to-access buckets and pools that other floating anglers skip over.

With a light hull weighing a mere 245 pounds, the Low-Profile boat virtually glides across the water and can be taken practically anywhere. Using only a small trailer, you can launch it from any spot that can fit its 14-foot frame—from municipal boat launches to muddy back road trails to short, brush-free banks where you can simply slide the boat down the hill.

An All-Terrain Vehicle

Another distinguishing feature of Hyde Low Profile boats is their toughness. With hand-laid fiberglass construction that doesn’t wear out or warp and a hard plastic base, you needn’t worry about holes or cuts in the bottom or eventual wear requiring repairs. For added strength, Hyde includes extra layers of fiberglass in the chines (bottom edges of the boat). These areas are most likely to collide with rocks, meaning the Hyde Low Profile will roll through and over obstacles even in the skinniest water. Its light weight also means that if you encounter an un-floatable section, you can easily portage the boat overland without missing a beat.

The low-profile gunwales mean you’re less affected by strong winds. Where other boats with taller sides will be blown around as if they have sails in just a light breeze, a Hyde Low Profile boat lets you get under the wind. This means staying on course and on top of the fish even on the windiest days.

Many believe this low-profile design means the boat will take on more water in rapids, making it unsuitable for fast-moving water. However, it still handles rapids quite well, and the increased maneuverability means you can slip around any really big sections of white water. It truly is the perfect boat for just about any fly fishing adventure. With a motor attachment available on Hyde’s website, you can even use it with a low-horsepower motor for lakes and large rivers or with an electric trolling motor when stealth is required.

A Worthy Investment

Buying a Hyde Low Profile Drift Boat is a serious investment. New boats cost between $10,000 and $12,000, and even used boats run around $3,000 to $5,000. However, they’re worth every penny, as even the used boats come with a lifetime warranty. The rugged design and adaptability mean you’ll be purchasing a fly fishing vehicle that will last as long as you will and be there whenever and however you want to get out on the water.