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Boulder Boat Works - The Next Evolution of Driftboats!
Latest News & Press

Boulder Boat Works
Spring Special!
Complete Boat & Trailer Package
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Fly Fish America 2007 Gear Guide
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DC-10 Coming Spring '08
» Click here for NEW Photos
The DC-9 went out with many whitewater pros over the last couple of seasons. We have learned a few things about this boat and moved forward with a new design called the DC-10. We believe this new boat will be the final design and set the standard for whitewater expedition style sport dories.
New Self-bailing Hull
No more pump! We have created a hull that gravity drains at over one gallon a second using 5 three-hole exit scuppers on the bottom of bow.
New Deck Hatches
We have redesigned the hatch opening shapes to round and ellipse. The combing and spray skirts are now longer lasting, easier to get on and off and super water tight. As in the DC-9 there is a hard cover lid overtop of spray skirt, locking skirt onto combing for a bomb-proof seal.
Built-In Cooler
We have located the built in cooler under the front passenger bench seat. The lid opens to a 120 quart insulated cooler box.
Deeper Hull Design
We have raised the side wall height at the bow by 5” and 3” at the transom.

More details coming soon!
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Driftboat Davids
Challenge Goliaths

Denver Post, August 2006
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Fly Rod & Reel Driftboat Review
"New Gear" – June 2006
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Fly Fish America
"Buyer's Guide to Driftboats" 2006
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Billings Gazette Article
September 2, 2004
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Fly Fish America Article
February 2004
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John Gierach Article
January 2004
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Email Us with any links you would like to see on our website. We will also trade links with any guides, outfitters or other boating & fishing websites.
Boulder Boat Works, Inc. is the first to pioneer the use of HDPE in driftboat construction. Boulder Boat Works’ hulls are made from a special Marine Grade, U.V. protected, High-Density, Polyethylene polymer (HDPE for short). We have combined the most innovative hull material (HDPE) with classic drfitboat designs to produce the world’s first series of polymer hulled driftboats.

Our polymer driftboats solve most, if not all, of the problems associated with fiberglass, aluminum and wooden driftboat hulls. They are easily the strongest driftboat hulls on the market and the lowest maintenance hulls money can buy. In addition to those major points, they are also extremely ‘slippery’ boats both through the water and, more importantly, they slide off rocks easily. They are quiet in the water, warm on cold days, and U.V. protected for life. The HDPE material is solid color throughout which means there are no gel coats to repair, no chips to retouch, no painting or varnishing for the life of the boat. They also come with a lifetime guarantee against bottom punctures or hull leaks.

Boulder Boat Works’ polymer driftboats have as many advantages for the Pro Guide/Outfitter as they do for the first-time driftboat owner. Both will appreciate all of the advantages of our Boulder Boat Works’ polymer hull. The Outfitter will appreciate the design, performance and low hull maintenance of these boats. The first-time owner will appreciate the strength and durability of the hull, especially in the first year on the river. Our ability to customize each driftboat to suit the individual is appreciated by all.

We have combined the latest technology in our hulls with classic wooden details and old world craftsmanship to produce a truly unique driftboat. These driftboats are rewriting the rule books for guides, outfitters and weekend warriors. No longer will you have to pump up the old raft in the middle of summer just to fish your favorite river because Boulder Boat Works’ hulls don’t have the same limitations as other driftboat hulls have. Low water? So what! Take the driftboat. It’s polymer! You can’t hurt it! When everyone else is in a raft because of the low water, you’ll be riding in high style and comfort in your Boulder Boat Works‘ driftboat.

These driftboats are the strongest, toughest, lowest maintenance driftboats on the market today. They are available in many different interior configurations, including full one-of-a-kind custom packages. So whether you choose one of our standard models or a full blown custom boat, it all adds up to the same result; the strongest, most innovative, and beautiful driftboat available today.

Boulder Boat Works’ hull is made from a U.V. protected, Marine Grade, High-Density, Polyethylene (HDPE). This is a high impact, flexible material that will withstand an enormous amount of abuse. Wood, aluminum, and fiberglass are materials that are rigid and thus suffer significant damage upon impact. Additionally and very important is the ‘slippery’ nature of this polymer (much like Teflon). These boats literally slide off the rocks. Wood, aluminum, and fiberglass all ‘gag’ on the rocks as the coefficient of friction dramatically increases with impact. Our material is quiet on the water and comfortable to the touch. There is no maintenance. Cleaning is easy with ordinary products. In fact, wiping down the boat with simply water removes 99% of the dirt.

Following the lead of modern, high performance kayaks (which use a similar polyethylene material), Boulder Boat Works’ hulls have an especially hard chine. When used with proper rowing techniques, this feature dramatically improves the spin rate. An increased ferry angle is also possible. "Setting" the downstream chine creates a keel effect driving the boat across the river. Both of these moves are critical to precise, professional driftboat maneuvering.

Some additional words about fiberglass, aluminum, and wooden driftboats:

Fiberglass is the cheapest material used in driftboat construction. Larger manufacturers use fiberglass not because it is the best material for driftboats, but because it can be easily used to mass-produce boats. This is the reason that you see so many fiberglass boats; not because they are better, but because they are easily mass-produced. The gel coating is weak, fragile and not well suited for rocky rivers. After as little as one day on the river, you may be doing repairs to the bottom or chine. After a modest season, you will be repairing the gel coat at minimum or you risk getting rot in between the fiberglass layers underneath.

Aluminum Boats are very durable, but they also have some disadvantages. First, they tend to be heavy boats compared to other boats. They are also very cold boats on colder days. When you hit rocks or other obstacles, everyone within a mile or so knows it… they are very loud! When hitting rocks the aluminum does not slide very easily over them. You could say that the aluminum tends to ‘stick’ on the rocks.

Wooden Boats bring comments like, "beautiful, gorgeous, or awesome" on the river. Most people only see the fun side of a wooden dory and not the maintenance side of a ‘woody.’ We would all like to own one, but only a small percentage of us have a wood shop and large garage space to work on our labor of love. Because wood and rocks are not a good mix, this boat is not a good choice for most people. They are not only expensive, but they are coupled with a lot of maintenance. Wooden boats are not a good choice for the serious fisherman.


email: info@boulderboatworks.com • phone: (720) 565-0789 • 5853 Rawhide Court – Unit C, Boulder, CO 80302


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