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Watercraft
Preview: Hyde LH Drift Boat |
Preview: A look at Hyde's feature packed LH Signature Series
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Date: |
2/18/04 |
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Location: |
San Mateo,
CA |
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Type: |
ISE 2004
Show |
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Reviewer: |
Buzz & Zander |
Introduction:
Hyde has been known in the fly-fishing arena to raise the bar beyond what is expected from a typical
drift boat. In 1993 they introduced their first combination Fiberglass/Aluminum
drift boat that has become one of the most versatile drift boats in the
industry. Recently, the adaptation of Hyde’s G4 bottom introduced a stronger
more durable bottom. This year they impressed anglers with a new LH signature
series drift boat that offers more compartment space and customizations than we
have ever seen before.
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This isn't
your average drift boat, introducing the Hyde LH Signature Series (Limited
Edition shown above) |
Impressions: A lot of times when you think drift boat you imagine a
banana shaped shell, with little to no amenities. Function over form, these boats
get you to prime fishing destinations, but are just about as utilitarian as they
come when compared to other watercraft. Hyde changed all that by
delivering drift boats so chock full of features, these boats are truly unique.
Unlike any other boat available on the market, the LH Signature Limited Edition
offers side storage throughout the boat allowing walk-through space on the
interior. From its incorporated fly boxes to the new G4 bottom, every detail in
this boat has been designed for the Fly Fisherman.
“We wanted to create a drift boat that allowed
fisherman to move throughout the boat without stepping over the rower bench,
while keeping the storage space that Hyde drift boats are known for,” said
LaMoyne Hyde, owner Hyde Drift Boats.
We had an opportunity to preview this high end
drift boat at the ISE 2004 San Mateo event earlier this month, and we were
impressed with the design and engineering that went into all the Hyde boats
shown....especially the LH Signature Edition.
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The interior
of this boat has the most organized storage ever before seen on a drift
boat. Comfort and ease of use is not sacrificed at the expense of function |
What is G4?:
Many anglers that have shied
away from completely non-aluminum boats often do so because of concerns about
durability when the boat comes in contact with potentially hull damaging river
bottom obstructions. Hyde pioneered what they call G4 technology to dramatically
increase the amount of abuse a drift boat can take. When we felt the surface it
felt extremely slick to the touch. In demonstrations Hyde actually encourages
skeptics to hit the bottom of their boats with a hammer! Needless to say after a
few strikes we were believers. The G4 bottom is actually formed to fit the
bottom of the boat, and can actually be sold as an accessory to fit any older
boat!
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With a 360
degree rotational seat and knee brace you have the freedom to fish from any
angle |
Robust Package: Fly anglers familiar with Hyde's feature packed boats
will be excited to note that the new Hyde LH Signature boasts the following:
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Though there
is plenty of storage it is all in compartments so that nothing gets in the
way of your movement around the boat |
Features that stand out:
The 2 most impressive
features of this boat are the new compartment spaces available. With the custom
spare oar holder, slide out tackle trays, rope compartment, and recessed rod
holders capable of holding 4 10’ rigged rods, the compartment space available on
this boat is far more than that of a typical drift boat.
“Imagine being able to adjust your position to fit
your exact circumstance on the river and to change that position again and again
as the river changes its course and you begin to see the power of this
revolutionary design,” said Lamoyne Hyde.
This new 360 degree swivel seat can be locked in to the desired position to side
drift either side of the boat while standing up, or face forward. As if that
weren’t enough rotate it 180 degrees and you now have a seat that can raise or
lower depending on your height.
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Shelf
storage for Plano style boxes is organized and easy to access (more like a
bass boat then most drift boat designs) |
Conclusion:
The LH Signature Series redefines what fly fisherman can expect from a drift
boat. No longer do you need to be satisfied with just a floating shell, these
boats are more akin to bass boats, full of rod holders and tackle storage, all
ergonomically laid out to improve your chances of catching fish. Breakthrough
designs like the G4 bottom and the 360 degree seats merge comfort with
functionality never before seen on a drift boat before. While the Hyde LH boats
are certainly not the cheapest boats out there, they do set the bar when it
comes to quality and innovative design. Hyde is so confident that their boats
will stand the test of time they even offer a Lifetime Limited Warrantee on the
LH Signature Limited Edition version. We look forward to testing this actual
boat in action and judge for ourselves just how well these features aid to the
overall fishing experience. Stay tuned for an in depth field test and review,
but from what we have seen thus far it looks like Hyde just set the bar another
notch higher.
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