Hello,

As a novice houseboater, I purchased a 38'x13' Drifter that the _title_ says 1967 and model is listed as DRF. Is there a site that talks about the different models of Drifters and how they were equipped?

This boat was a project boat for many different owners and I am next in line. My goal is to repair those areas that need it so that the boat is useable as a permanet residence. I have been told that the boat is too small for liveaboard but it was in the right price range and looked good. I have since found many things that I consider a problem, but it was my own fault since I didn't take the time for a survey.

Thanks for your time

Todd Smith

I don't know of any site that has definitive info on Drifters, this site and a few others are your best bet for help. They are a pretty simple boat. A 38 ft is a little small for a liveaboad, but if you are single you can probably get by. One of the biggest problem areas in a Drifter was the raw water intake for the toilet. It was usually a welded pipe through the skin of the hull and was prone to rust out- and has sunk many boats- first on my list of things to check and fix!!

Hello Joe,

Thanks for the advice! Would you replace the welded pipe with a different seacock or what? How would you repair the problem?

Todd Smith

I've done it a couple of ways. It depends on where your head is located and how the job looks afterward. Personally I don't like putting any holes below the waterline in a boat - it is just a problem waiting to happen. I have bored a hole through the side skin above the water line and welded a tube thru it and down the outside into the water, kinda like a dip tube - this way if it fails it is above water line. On some I have run good quality hose to the transom and put the dip tube there (looks better too I think) and put a check valve inline to keep from losing prime and having to suck a long hose full water before it gets to the head. Just some suggestions.

i am looking at a 43 foot 1977 Drifter. Asking price 28K. I don't know anything about houseboats. New seal on roof, Hull refinished, new flooring, Most of interior redone within a year. Furniture, nice included

Original engine 6 cylinder Chevy, new outdrive. What do you think of the price?

That would depend on where you are.  In Tennessee (where I am), if it were in perfect shape - exterior, interior, hull, ..., you might get $22k or so.  No matter what, it is a 28 yr old steel hulled boat - get it professionally surveyed.

Thanks easttnboater, How did they get an appraisal done about a year ago that gave this boat a $38,000 value? Where do you find someone to do a professional survey? I'm in Jackson, MS.

marinesurvey.org

The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyers.