Explorer Industries Outboard Jet vs. Power Drifter

[mtbkr]

So I've been contemplating a used Power Drifter or an Explorer Industries 142/162 outboard jet for running up and drifting down the Columbia & Kootenay and parts of the Red Deer, and Bow below Carseland.
I would also use it on some small and medium sized lakes as well.
Trouble is, I just can't decide which one would be a better fit!

My question is:
For those who may have had the opportunity to run and row both,
how does the Explorer row compared to a Power Drifter? Or how does either row compared to a Jet-Jon or other jet outboard setup?
How does the Explorer run on the river or lake compared to the Power Drifter or compared to other Jet-Jon or similar boats?

Any anecdotal advice would be awesome!!

[FearNoFish]

I like a bow mount on the front of my Explorer instead of rowing. The boats would be a beast to row, I would suspect. They are fine on the lake but you'll really get banged around in chop because the bottoms are flat and have the channel for the jet. Very stable to cast from on the trout pounds and when the water is calm. After 10 years with an explorer 142, I now also have a 17.5 crestliner tiller for lakes like Cold and Slave. There will be some sacrifice always when trying to find a boat for both scenarios. Don't go any less than the 60/50 on the 4 stroke Yamaha with the 142/162.

[biggyJ]

I have been in and rowed all three. Hence why I bought the explorer.

Hyde powerdrifter is heaviest of all three. Had a 60/40 evinrude 2 stroke.
Crestliner Jet Jon was a bit better. Had 50/35 Honda.
Explorer is the lightest of the bunch. I run the 162 with 60/40.

It will never row like a driftboat but honestly it’s not that bad.

Explorer has far better fuel consumption over the Hyde. I can get two days on a tank on lower bow.

Explorer has a much faster hole shot than Hyde.

When it comes to a choice between the Hyde or the Explorer it always sees like we choose my boat 😉

I have run my explorer on all the rivers you mentioned and more. Zero issues.

Any other questions send me a pm.

J