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The RO Guide is the boat that put RO Drift Boats on the map. Introduced in 1997 and refined over decades on the hardest-working rivers in the West, it’s a proven workhorse trusted by guides, outfitters, and serious anglers who demand versatility, carrying capacity, and effortless rowability in all conditions.
With a shallow draft, three-person layout, and balanced hull design, the RO Guide handles big water, technical seams, and long days with equal confidence. It’s one of the easiest-rowing drift boats in the industry — even fully loaded with anglers, coolers, and gear for every situation the river throws your way.
Built using RO’s proprietary composite construction, including fiberglass, Kevlar, Innegra, and strategically placed carbon reinforcement, the Guide combines strength, durability, and a remarkably lightweight feel. It’s the definition of a “daily driver” drift boat — built for the people who row the most.
Performance on the Water
- Versatile by Design – From fast, boulder-filled freestones to broad Western tailwaters, the RO Guide performs in any setting.
- Stable & Predictable – Ultra-stable stance and refined chines keep anglers confident when casting and moving around the boat.
- Effortless Rowability – Balanced geometry allows the Guide to track true, pivot quickly, and stay responsive even under a full guide load.
Made for the Demands of Guiding
For Professional Guides
This is the drift boat that gets rowed the hardest, repaired the least, and trusted the most.
- Carries three people plus full gear comfortably
- Efficient layouts for quick, intuitive boat management
- Tough enough for season-after-season commercial use
The Guide is built for long days, big miles, and daily abuse — without sacrificing the fine-tuned handling guides rely on.
For Recreational Anglers
If you want one drift boat to do everything, the Guide is the answer.
- Easy to row for beginners, rewarding for experienced oarsmen
- Roomy interior that stays organized and uncluttered
- Perfect for family floats, multi-day trips, or exploring new water
Why Choose RO
- Proven for Nearly 30 Years – The original RO platform, shaped by decades of guide feedback and real-world river miles.
- Strength Without Weight – Aerospace-inspired composites deliver durability and performance you can feel with every pull.
- Trusted Across the West – From the Madison to the South Fork to the Yellowstone, the RO Guide has earned its reputation by showing up every day and getting the job done.
RO Guide: The original. The workhorse. The drift boat built for anglers who live on the river.
