Driftboats?

[Biteme]

I am looking for a good used guide model driftboat. I have rowed many driftboats that belonged to friends of mine and have ridden in many more. I have never owned one and would like to hear from you die hard river drifters as to your likes, dislikes, what to look for when buying a used driftboat, motor or no motor, aluminum, fiberglass, or wood and such. Also if anyone knows of a good boat for sale.

[SteelieSteve]

Smokercraft aluminum in the Oregonian w/motor well and motor. This would be my choice also a alumiweld guide model for sale in the paper. Aluminum is the best way to go.

[Artwo]

Biteme, Here's a few for ya from Oregonlive.com classifieds:

14' ALUMAWELD drift boat, 1992, anchor system, dry storage, trailer, oars, $3250. 503-235-4072
Published in The Oregonian on 05/10

16' 1999 WILLIES alum. drift boat, 54''W, trailer, anchor system, oars. $3000. Rick 503-701-2709
Published in The Oregonian on 05/09

16' CLACKACRAFT drift boat with 8hp Mariner outboard, many extras $3595. 503-539-1267
Published in The Oregonian on 05/09

18' DRIFT BOAT, Alumaweld w/trlr, oars, anchor system & extras, $2700. 503-663-6329
Published in The Oregonian on 05/10

16' DRIFTBOATS, FishCraft Guide Model brand new, extras, ready to row $3995. 541-330-3602
Published in The Oregonian on 05/06

Personally I like the Willie for sale above but the Clackacraft doesn't sound to bad either. I prefer aluminum boats but I do like the new Clackacrafts also.

Hope it helps,
JK

[Biteme]

how do the 18 footers handle that seems a bit big

[Nanook]

http://www.willieboats.com/images/willogo.jpg

Want that new hat bad, don't I?
images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif

[ 05-10-2001: Message edited by: ****** ]

[Artwo]

Biteme,
I bought my Fishrite DB used about four years ago, it took me about 6 months to find a decent boat. They go real fast so you have to be right on top of them when they come out in the paper. I love my Fishrite, but if I were to do it all over agian (and I'm considering it) I would spend the extra money and order a new 17' Willie. They are sweeeeeeeet and have allot of room inside. I haven't checked but I would figure $4-5k could buy a pretty well equipped set-up boat.
Any of you guys that have bought new Willie DB's lately could you let us know what the price range was. Just some more thoughts, but I would seriously consider new if you can afford it.

JK

[STRIKE ZONE]

Go with aluminum/Go with a 16'er,54" bottom.If you buy new get a willies.If you buy used then get the best deal possible.Stay away from the motor well's!!!!!
I bought a used 16' fish-rite with brand new
trailer with nice rims and tires a year and a half ago for $2,500.00.They go quick,so figure out what your budget is and what style
fits your needs.Then hit it hard!!!Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

[Biteme]

motor wells are a bad thing? tell me more

[Firedog]

I just ordered a new 17' willie a couple weeks ago and with the options I went with it ran me $6800. it should arrive in a couple weeks. Call Dave over at South river Marine and he can give you all of the specs. Willie also has a 16' guide model on sale for $3900 I believe ready to fish. images/icons/smile.gif images/icons/smile.gif

[Kinebra]

Willie 1991 16x54 for sale, if I can find my Predator 17 or 19 with sportjet!!! Great boat and a 15 hp Merc (1998 I think) with under 15 hours.

[SteelieSteve]

I'd like to know too... why no motor well? The ones i've seen by smokercraft are well setup. Is it a handling problem because of the hole in the bottom?

[smoky]

It has been documented that the subtle sound of a Willie gliding through the water actually attracts Salmon/Steelhead.

[Nanook]

Takes up all the rear room in a not much
room boat anyway and there is a big hole
in your boat Steve. images/icons/grin.gif

[SteelieSteve]

******
on the upside it gives your boat flexibility, you can row it or troll without a long shaft. Plenty of room for crabbing. And you can motor on up to that hole on the Trask instead of a long row. images/icons/grin.gif I'd like to have one, thought about it along time(since smokercraft came out with them). Also would keep me from buggin you to take me fishing. images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/wink.gif images/icons/grin.gif

[Biteme]

I have looked at a smokercraft with the motor well and motor and while it does take up some room the motor offers flexibility if motors are allowed in the water you are fishing. I am concerned about handling problems if any of you ifishers have had any experience with motorwells good or bad please let us know. Also when in the white water does the water tend to be on the inside of the boat where you dont want it?

[Gone Fishin]

Take my advice for what you think it's worth, I have been rowing driftboats for many years and rowed many models. I have rowed friends boats with motor wells also.

A motor well does give you some flexibility with what you can do however, I've never been in one that doesn't "drag" in the water when you're trying to row. Even with the plate or cover in place for the well, there is still enough drag to really turn the driftboat into a hard-rowing slug.

Bottom line: If you want a boat to drift the rivers, GET A DRIFTBOAT (Better yet, get a WILLIE) And if you want to use it in the bays or rivers with a motor, get a long shaft and run it off the back.

There is no boat made that is all-purpose, every boat is made for a specific application.

Use them for the application intended!

My 2 cents!!!

And I already have a hat!
http://www.willieboats.com/images/willogo.jpg

[ 05-11-2001: Message edited by: Gone Fishin ]

[Firedog]

You can order a Willie with a pin mount seat on the back so that you dont have to try and run the motor from the row seat anymore. It is a nice option. If you want the best buy a Willie.

[SteelieSteve]

Thanks for the input Marty. your the only person I know thats tested one. I wondered about the drag factor from the well. Just a sledder at heart I guess. Old and weak backed to row alot. images/icons/grin.gif

[Biteme]

Well I didnt listen to all of you about the motor well and I bought the smoker craft it came with an excellent six horse motor and real nice galvanized trailer. I already built an insert that fits flush with the bottom so that the well becomes a free flooding fish box. I like the idea of the flexibility of the motor if I have the need for it. I also have a big sled that I use most of the time and this will be just another option. the price wasnt bad either $2200. looking for south santiam river experts all bait and tackle provided

[willierower]

OK Jet Jockey!
I will give you rowing lessons on tuesday, SteelieSteve will have to give us fishing lessons.
Anyways Congrats on you driftboat. It sounds better than my first boat, An old 14' leaky wood boat. What a slug.
See ya Tuesday!

[SteelieSteve]

wr
not so sure about giving a clinic on your river but we'll see. It should be fun to get out with both you and get into some fish. My first boat was a leaky 14footer too. See you dark and early Tuesday. images/icons/cool.gif