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Boats · Top 10

Top 10 Drift Boats in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Hyde XL Low Profile
Direct answer

The Hyde XL Low Profile is the best drift boat in 2027, with a 16′ centerline and a published $13,795.00 price. The ClackaCraft Eddy is #2 and the RO Guide is #3.

At a glance

#PickStyleBest for
1Hyde XL Low ProfileLow-profile drift boat in Hyde’s XL (Extra Long) SeriesAnglers who want lots of interior room and a boat that floats in very shallow water
2ClackaCraft EddyLow-side 16′ drift boat; ClackaCraft’s most popular boat since it was introduced in 2012Guides and anglers who row everything from tight rivers to big ones
3RO Guide16′ drift boat; RO’s flagship and most popular model, introduced in 1997Guides who carry two anglers, coolers and gear every day
4Boulder Boat Works Outfitter ModelPolymer-hull dory with an adjustable aluminum pipe frameHigh-use owners and guides who want low maintenance and a layout they can change
5Willie Boats Drift BoatAluminum McKenzie-style drift boatAnglers who want a tough aluminum boat at a published price
6ClackaCraft 16 High SideOld School High Side drift boat for whitewaterWhitewater rivers with big waves
7RO Classic SkiffLow-profile skiff listed with RO’s drift boat modelsTechnical tailwaters, gentle floats and lakes
8Hog Island LTD 16Roto-molded polyethylene drift boat that floats upside down or with a hole in itRocky rivers, families and dogs
9Koffler Drift BoatAluminum drift boat with 6061-T6 side and bottomAnglers who want a custom-built aluminum boat in the size they need
10Boulder Boat Works Legacy ModelPolymer-hull dory with a White Ash wood structureOwners who want the look of a classic wooden dory

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Hyde XL Low Profile
Guide favorite
ClackaCraft Eddy
Best value
Willie Boats Drift Boat
Best for whitewater
ClackaCraft 16 High Side
Best for shallow water
RO Classic Skiff

The ranking

1

Hyde XL Low Profile

Hyde XL Low Profile
Answrs VerdictThe best all-round drift boat.
Style: Low-profile drift boat in Hyde’s XL (Extra Long) SeriesCenterline: 16′Beam: 76″Hull weight: 285 lbsPrice: $13,795.00

The Hyde XL Low Profile is the newest boat in Hyde’s XL (Extra Long) Series, with a 16′ centerline, a 76″ beam and a 285 lb hull. Its larger footprint floats in very shallow water, the low sides handle wind well, and Hyde lists it at $13,795.00.

Go ifAnglers who want lots of interior room and a boat that floats in very shallow water
Skip ifYou want the lowest price on this list
Why #1 over #2: Its 16′ centerline is longer than the Eddy’s 15′ 11″, and Hyde publishes a price.
2

ClackaCraft Eddy

ClackaCraft Eddy
Answrs VerdictThe guide favorite.
Style: Low-side 16′ drift boat; ClackaCraft’s most popular boat since it was introduced in 2012Centerline: 15′ 11″Beam: 78″Hull guarantee: 100-year guarantee against punctures and leaks for the original ownerPrice: Not published

The ClackaCraft Eddy has been ClackaCraft’s most popular boat since it was introduced in 2012. It has a 15′ 11″ centerline and a 78″ beam, and ClackaCraft gives the original owner a 100-year guarantee against punctures and leaks.

Go ifGuides and anglers who row everything from tight rivers to big ones
Skip ifYou run big whitewater and want high sides
Why #2 over #3: Its low sides stay under the wind, and ClackaCraft backs the hull with a 100-year guarantee.
3

RO Guide

RO Guide
Answrs VerdictThe best workhorse.
Style: 16′ drift boat; RO’s flagship and most popular model, introduced in 1997Total length: 15.10 ftFully rigged weight: 425 lbsWeight capacity: 1,100 lbsPrice: Not published

The RO Guide has been RO’s flagship model since 1997. It is 15.10 ft long, weighs 425 lbs fully rigged and carries up to 1,100 lbs, built from fiberglass, Kevlar, Innegra and carbon.

Go ifGuides who carry two anglers, coolers and gear every day
Skip ifYou want the lightest boat to launch
Why #3 over #4: Its 1,100 lb weight capacity is published, which Boulder does not do for the Outfitter.
4

Boulder Boat Works Outfitter Model

Boulder Boat Works Outfitter Model
Answrs VerdictThe best low-maintenance dory.
Style: Polymer-hull dory with an adjustable aluminum pipe frameHull profiles: High Side Dory or Low Side DoryLow Side beam at oarlocks: 74”Low Side bow height: 25”Price: Not published (Boulder’s lowest price point)

The Boulder Boat Works Outfitter Model pairs a polymer hull with an aluminum pipe frame that adjusts with a socket and wrench. It comes as a High Side or Low Side Dory; the Low Side has a 74” beam at the oarlocks and a 25” bow, and it is Boulder’s lowest price point.

Go ifHigh-use owners and guides who want low maintenance and a layout they can change
Skip ifYou want classic wood ribs
Why #4 over #5: Its polymer hull and adjustable frame are built for minimal upkeep, while the Willie is an aluminum boat ordered by size.
5

Willie Boats Drift Boat

Willie Boats Drift Boat
Answrs VerdictThe best value.
Style: Aluminum McKenzie-style drift boatSizes: 14′ to 20′Beam (16′ x 54″): 76″Max HP (16′ x 54″): 10Price: $6,165 MSRP for the 16′ x 54″ (2027 model year)

The Willie Boats Drift Boat is an aluminum McKenzie-style boat built in sizes from 14′ to 20′. The 16′ x 54″ has a 76″ beam, is rated for up to 10 hp and lists at $6,165 MSRP for the 2027 model year.

Go ifAnglers who want a tough aluminum boat at a published price
Skip ifYou want a fiberglass or composite hull
Why #5 over #6: It has a published $6,165 price, which ClackaCraft does not list for the High Side.
6

ClackaCraft 16 High Side

ClackaCraft 16 High Side
Answrs VerdictThe best whitewater boat.
Style: Old School High Side drift boat for whitewaterSide height: 30″Centerline: 16′ 3″Beam: 85.5″Price: Not published

The ClackaCraft 16 High Side is ClackaCraft’s Old School High Side, with 30″ sides, a 16′ 3″ centerline and an 85.5″ beam for the toughest whitewater.

Go ifWhitewater rivers with big waves
Skip ifYou fish windy flats and want low sides
Why #6 over #7: Its 30″ sides handle big water, where the Classic Skiff is a low-profile boat for calm rivers.
7

RO Classic Skiff

RO Classic Skiff
Answrs VerdictThe best shallow-water skiff.
Style: Low-profile skiff listed with RO’s drift boat modelsTotal length: 15.1 ftFully rigged weight: 285 lbsFully loaded draft: 3-4 inPrice: Not published

The RO Classic Skiff is a low-profile skiff, 15.1 ft long and 285 lbs fully rigged, that drafts 3-4 in fully loaded. RO builds it for technical tailwaters, gentle floats and lakes.

Go ifTechnical tailwaters, gentle floats and lakes
Skip ifYou run heavy whitewater
Why #7 over #8: At 285 lbs fully rigged it is lighter than the LTD 16 at 450 lbs.
8

Hog Island LTD 16

Hog Island LTD 16
Answrs VerdictThe toughest hull here.
Style: Roto-molded polyethylene drift boat that floats upside down or with a hole in itOverall length: 16′Weight: 450 lbsCarry capacity: 4 persons or 800 lbsPrice: Not published

The Hog Island LTD 16 is a 16′ drift boat roto-molded in one piece from high density polyethylene. It weighs 450 lbs, carries 4 persons or 800 lbs, and Hog Island says the hull floats upside down or with a hole in it.

Go ifRocky rivers, families and dogs
Skip ifYou want a light boat to drag to the water
Why #8 over #9: Its one-piece polyethylene hull has no seams or welds, while the Koffler is welded aluminum.
9

Koffler Drift Boat

Koffler Drift Boat
Answrs VerdictThe custom aluminum pick.
Style: Aluminum drift boat with 6061-T6 side and bottomSizes: 14′ to 20Beam (16′ HS): 76″Person capacity: 3 (14′) to 6 (20)Price: Not published

The Koffler Drift Boat is built from 6061-T6 aluminum in sizes from 14′ to 20, carrying from 3 to 6 people. The 16′ HS has a 76″ beam.

Go ifAnglers who want a custom-built aluminum boat in the size they need
Skip ifYou want a composite hull
Why #9 over #10: Koffler offers sizes from 14′ to 20, while the Legacy is offered in three hull profiles.
10

Boulder Boat Works Legacy Model

Boulder Boat Works Legacy Model
Answrs VerdictThe classic heirloom dory.
Style: Polymer-hull dory with a White Ash wood structureHull profiles: High Side Dory, Low Side Dory or River SkiffHigh Side length: 191”High Side beam at oarlocks: 76”Price: Not published

The Boulder Boat Works Legacy Model joins a polymer hull to a White Ash wood structure for the look of a classic McKenzie or Rogue River dory. The High Side version is 191” long with a 76” beam at the oarlocks.

Go ifOwners who want the look of a classic wooden dory
Skip ifYou want the least upkeep

How we ranked these

We ranked each boat on builder reputation and how well it suits river fishing first, then on the size, weight and price each builder publishes. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the best drift boat in 2027?

The Hyde XL Low Profile: a low-profile drift boat with a 16′ centerline, a 76″ beam and a 285 lb hull, priced at $13,795.00.

How much does a new drift boat cost?

Willie Boats lists its 16′ x 54″ aluminum drift boat at $6,165 MSRP for the 2027 model year, and Hyde lists the XL Low Profile at $13,795.00. Most other builders here do not publish prices.

Which drift boat is best for whitewater?

The ClackaCraft 16 High Side, with 30″ sides, an 85.5″ beam and a 16′ 3″ centerline.

What is the lightest drift boat on this list?

Among published weights, the RO Classic Skiff and the Hyde XL Low Profile hull are both listed at 285 lbs.

Beam (as published) at a glance

Boulder Boat Works Outfitter Model (Low Side)74 in
Hyde XL Low Profile76 in
Willie Boats Drift Boat (16′ x 54″)76 in
Koffler Drift Boat (16′ HS)76 in
Boulder Boat Works Legacy Model (High Side)76 in
ClackaCraft Eddy78 in
ClackaCraft 16 High Side85.5 in
Beam (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.