Willie Drift Boats

[Kalama Jim]

I would like to talk to anyone who has owned a Willie 16' x 54" or a 17' x 54". I have a couple friends who have owned the 16' x 54" and they were very negitive about the boat said it rowed hard and didn't manuever well.
Any input would be appreicated.

Kalama Jim :shrug:

[jimh]

I own a 16 x 54. I don't know what they are comparing those models too, but mine is fine. Like any other driftboat, it rows different depending on weight distribution. Both front to back and side to side needs to be set right. Get both wrong, and my 16 x 54 rows hard.

The fastest turning 16 foot boat I've rowed was a Lavro. However, it was also the hardest boat to keep going straight. In any case, weight distribution is a key to easy rowing/manuevering.

[SlipKnot]

I just bought a 17X54 and love it. Admittedly, I've only had it out three times but I think it rows great and tracks very well.

I like it better than the other db I had.

[AlseaAssassin]

My good buddy has a 17X54 and I think it rows alot better than my 16X48 Valco which is no suprise. I piloted an older 16X54 clackacraft and it was the easiest manuvering craft I've ever had the privledge of rowing. I really lke the weight hauling capacity of the Willies though, we did a 4 day trip down the John Day in another friend of mines 16X54 and it took it in stride while still manuvering very well.