Super Special! Get the one color paint free with a complete package!  How much do other builders charge?
The front compartment under the passenger seat also comes free with a package. No one offers this option free!


                            You can click here to see the 2010 boat show special inside and out ...



                  Drift Boats For Sale

                 Diamond Back Boats                  "Gem of Drift Boats"                     Phone Doug at 541-935-1242  


Welcome to "Drift Boats For Sale." This website is the home of Diamond Back Boats built by Doug Camenzind in Veneta, Oregon.

diamond back drift boat
Here's Martin Thurber of Willakenzie Guide Service in his Diamond Back drift boat


diamond back boat

My friend Hermon Cannon was convinced the 17 ft. Diamond Back drift boat was for him. He gave up the paint job and traded it for a storage under the passenger seat. This boat with a complete anchor system (with 30 pound anchor), bench storage, oars, galvanized trailor, rear seat brackets, gunnel guards, gluvit bottom, and ready to fish was under $4800! This is a few hundred dollars less than stated in his price sheet. Doug must be willing to barter! Why would you want to buy used when you can get a brand new Diamond Back Boat for the price of a used boat?

     There are many aluminum drift boats for sale and I favor the Diamond Back drift boat built by Doug Camenzind in Veneta, Oregon. Here is my short story...
      In the beginning these river boats were designed and made on two Oregon rivers ... the Mckenzie and the Rogue. I have owned four drift boats, two canoes and two one-man pontoon boats. After a few years of being a fishing guide I settled for the 17 ft. welded aluminum drift boat because of it's toughness and easy maintanance. Most people who own a drift boat use it for fishing. Some people call these drift boats fly fishing boats. If you live in the Northwest you have probably seen these boats on your local rivers. I guide fishermen in and near the Willamette Valley, Oregon.The rivers most popular in the Eugene - Springfield area are the Mckenzie, Willamette, Middle Fork of the Willamette, Siuslaw, Alsea, Umpqua and the North Umpqua.
      Many people ask me which boat building material is best. For the Northwest it is welded aluminum. You seldom see an experienced fishing guide on Oregon rivers in a wood or fiberglass drift boat. Twenty years ago you saw more wood  drift boats but those days are gone. When I fish in Montana and Idaho I see lots of fiberglass boats but the rivers in that area are not like ours in the Northwest. I can only ask you to take a look on the Mckenzie, Rogue, North Umqpua, Middle Fork of the Willamette and  you will see more welded aluminum boats than any other material. The great thing about welded aluminum is you can take it to fish in Montana but if you come to Oregon from Montana with a fiberglass drift boat and float the wild section of the Rogue River ...Look out!
Diamond Back Boats - Doug Camenzind - drift boat manufacturer - drift boats for sale

     Today I own a Diamond Back Boat built by Doug Camenzind who makes them out of his home shop in Veneta, Oregon just west of Eugene-Springfield. Because he works out of his home shop his overhead is low and his prices are the best around. He makes them one at a time. And why would you want to buy a used drift boat when you can get brand new drift boat for the same price some people are asking?
      When we talk of the word "custom" in boat building -- Doug is truly custom and he will work with you to build your boat to your preference. He has his own special designs but will modify his design to suit your taste. For example if you want more slope on the bottom (rocker) he will build you what you prefer. Not all  drift boat builders are willing do this.
                                                 Tom Waters River Guide

  My 1981 Keith Steele wood  boatkeith steele drift boat
             My 1993 Willie Boat    willie drift boats
       My 1983 Diamond Back Boatdiamond back driftboat
  My current 2003 Diamond Back Boatulla hacker on the middle fork of the willamette river





Updated August 11, 2010

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