Willie boat option

[Gus Orviston]

I am planning on getting a DB soon and wanted to know what options all you Willie boat owners like and disliked about your choices.

If things like interior clear coat is a good option, seats which kind and how they hold up, does the fish box on rails work good, anchor center or offset, is getting the cut out option for standard shafts a good option or bad (I do want to motor up), heat ?? do you care about your fishing buds? David Johnson wouldn't turn the heater on for us, oh forgot we were too busy catching fish!!

Mmmm, what else, oh galvanized trailer?

I am probably going to get the 16'x54

dennis

[searun]

If you plan on drift fishing/jig fishing from inside the boat, a full floor (48" for a 54" wide boat) sure is easier on the ankles. Also the raised floor up front will be a big hit with your passengers. :wink:

[MarlinMark]

Gus,

I have a 16x54 guide model Willie that is 3 yrs. old. I ordered it direct with everything I wanted. I love the clear coat. Without it the zolatone coating is easily worn off. I have the "guide box oarsman seat with fish box on rails" and like it also. Tons of dry, tackle storage. The fish box is not really smooth going in and out. But that is OK because, once in a while trailering on dirt roads the box will come out an fall into the boat. So, I haven't put any lube on it because I want it to stay put. Get full gunnel gaurd (rod saver). Get the front dry box seat (lots of dry storage.) I went with offset 4 pulley anchor sys. Offset, so that I can run a trolling motor. I have a 15hp merc ls that works great. I have the front anchor sys. too. Works best for hog lines and for double anchoring in lakes when the wind is blowing. There is a lot more but those are the big ones. email if you want to talk more.

Mark

[Pete]

I have a 16x54 ... going on 14 years.
- My zolatone (without clearcoat) still is fine. I find the clearcoat makes things slippery.
- The fish box on rails is excellent.
- NEVER get a trailer that isn't galvanized.
- Cut out: if you don't ever plan to use the boat as it was designed, ie: for white water, then a cut out may work. I use my boat on the Deschutes and a cut out would not be OK there. A long shaft motor will work fine, although I wouldn't spend the money to get anything over the 8 HP the boat is rated for.
- Front anchor - wish I had it!
- Heat? Propane bottle, radiant type is easily removable when you don't need it.
- Fish-on seats are still doing fine. Keep the rower's seat out of the sun, or replace it frequently.
- Full gunnel guards, YES.
- Get all the storage you can.
- Don't forget the cup holders, :-)

[Spooled]

Hi Dennis. Glad to hear you are going to get your driftboat. I have a 16x54 Willie Drifter and would suggest the following. The rear anchor system, for pulling the anchor from the rower seat is a must. Also the front dry box is a must. You will absolutly want these two, trust me. The gunnel guard is next, to protect rods. Cup holders come standard. If your plan on using a kicker motor ever, order the pin for the seat in back to be welded on. It is $55.00, and well worth it if you run a motor. The center rear anchor works far better than the side anchor, but if you run a motor, the side is the only choice. The front anchor is a big plus as you witnessed on the Wilson. I would definately put Coat-It on the bottom also. The galvanized trailer is the way to go.

The cool thing about Willie boats, is most of this stuff can be added as funds become available. The only things you can't add easily or without big expense, is the seat pin for the kicker motor area and the trailer. Everything else can be added as you go.

If I had it to do over, as much as I love my boat, I would buy the 17x54. The 17x54 gives you an extra foot of room (in a drift boat that is like an extra bedroom in a house). Willie lowered the price to $4995.00 which is $1000.00 less than when I bought mine. I would have jumped at the 17x54 at that deal. You could buy the 17x54 with a galvanized trailer and the seat pin for about what the 16x54 with all the aboved mentioned options would cost. You could then buy the anchor system, dry boxes etc. as you go. You can put Coat-It on the bottom yourself. Just know that you are going to end up buying them either way. :smile:

Give me a call oe e-mail if you would like to row one first.

Troy

[smoky]

In order of importance?

Clear Coat
Glove It (do it yourself)
Gunnel Guard (do it yourself)
Rear Anchor Pulley (can be done yourself)
Front Anchor(really easy to do)

Fish box(the sound of fish smacking against aluminium even after you've wacked and bled em' is sweet music)

Storage box underneath front seats (can hold 9.5' rods and locked up when leaving boat at ramp)

Storage boxes next to rowers seat (also lock)

Heat (wait till next year) I got a nice two heater system from Koeflers that was simple to install and can be removed with out tools. Came with a 2.5 tank.

[Firedog]

Gus, I have the 17' willie, bought it last spring and love it. The extra room is great, I have the dry storge under the front seats and double compartment rowing seat and use all of the space easily. Like spooled said if you plan on running a trolloing motor go with the pin mount seat on the rear. The fish box comes in real handy, I went with the oversize box at the recomendation of Dave Traaen (thanks Dave) and I am really glad I did. It has more room than the standard and Chinook fit in it better :smile: I have the Tempress Fish on seats in the front and they easily taken out if you only have one person with you and also on rails to move side to side to adjust the load. I dont have clearcoat and there are a few spots that are showing wear a bit. One thing I wish I would of had installed at the factory was a heater system, I am going to go ahead and do it my self. I have the four pully side mount anchor system, I am going to put a center pull bracket on the back also. When setting the anchor or pulling it with tthe side mount it tends to pull the but out of line a bit or it will sit a little off the line you were on when the anchor was dropped. If you have any questions or want to see the boat or even row it shoot me an e-mail. Firedog

[ 03-05-2002, 09:15 AM: Message edited by: firedog ]

[chuck 'n' duck]

Gus:

I have a '96 17x54 Willie. It does have quite a bit more room than the 16 ft. model. When I buy my next drift boat, I might even size up to an 18 ft. Rarely will you go down a river where you cannot manuver an 18 ft. boat around. The advantage of the bigger boats is not only more room inside, but less draft under heavy loads. I am a big guy and when there are two other people in the boat, my 17 ft doesn't slug out like a 16 ft.

As far a options, I have just about all of them. As spooled said, I would definately get a mount for the kicker seat welded onto the rail. This is key if you are going to troll around in tidewater. I have a Merc 9.9 and wouldn't get anything larger. A 6 or 8 HP would do fine. Secondly, get as much storage as you can. I have three compartments at the rowers bench, a dry box under the passengers seat, and a dry box in back. You can never have enough storage. One thing I still need to get installed is a seat mount on top of the rear dry box so that my passengers can side drift more effectively. I keep hearing that the rear drybox isn't very comfortable to sit on.

I have the raised level front floor and am not a big fan. The floor is too high for my liking. When you stand, you rack your knees at the edge of the front deck. Also when you sit down, your knees are just about at chest height. As far as seats, I have the stick-backs, and like them pretty well. They are finished wood with green cushions and look pretty sharp. However, they do not pivot like the Tempress seats.

Get a 35lb or larger anchor if you don't want to be thrown off your anchor from heavy wind gusts. Also get a front anchor (I still need one) for tidewater and Donaldson's. Get composite oars as well. I have 9.5ft Cataracts and absolutely love them. Carlisles (sp?) are crap. I think everything else has been covered. I will try and add additional things as I think of them.

CnD

[Big Willie]

Howdy. I also got my Willie, a 16 x 54, 3 years ago. It is very well optioned including all the dry storage I could get. I like the offset rear anchor mount for a my 8hp LS Merc. The pulley system is a must. Mine didn't come with the front mount but I did install it later...very easy and very handy for the same reasons said above. Some other must haves: Gunnel guard, a minimum 35lb anchor, better front seats, fish box and the heavy duty oar locks. If I had to do it all over again maybe a 17 x 54 and most definitely the clear coat finish, the Zolatone is worthless without it. Good luck and great choice in a driftboat!
-Gary

[Grass Hopper]

16'x54" w: raised vinyl floorboards, Forward locking seat box w/ 2 swivel seats on sliders, Nylon webbed rowers reat(Extra trailer strap) with tackle trays, Fishbox under rowers seat, Removable rear seat, 20 bow storage decks w/leg locks, Multi position seats, multi postition oarlocks(boat can adjust for and weight load) Gunnel guard, Coat-it on the bottom, Zolotone interior, Outside paint, Side release anchor system w/anchor pocket & 30lb anchor, (' composite oars(wood warps), On the trailer. DIAMOND BACK DRIFT BOAT PRICED @ $4,990! BEAT THAT!! Loved the one I rowed!!

[Gus Orviston]

hey thanks to all of your input, that is exactly the feedback I needed. From all your input I am thinking seriously about the 17'x54", more space and more stability if I take it out in larger water.

okay then...
gunnel guards
level floor they only show diamond plate, no vinyl
fish box on tracks oversized? w/fish in box
Clear Kote
heater (depends on what smoky got going on)
full front compartment storage
Rowing seat with storage
anchor 35+lb in back (offset?), 30lb up front
graemlins/1zhelp.gif The cut out has a filler plate, seems that would make it okay for white water, but does the cost of the cut out = delta cost of long shaft?
Pin mount seat in rear (heard this from others)
Galvenized Trailer

Now I got a 20K drift boat, hey do you guys work for Willie :wink: okay more like 7800 w/o paint. :shocked:

[Gus Orviston]

Spooled, Firedog I want to row both of your boats! I got a first chance to row a boat with Toblerone's on the upper Nestucca, and I don't recall hitting a thing :grin: , so I wasn't rowing by brail. Although it wasn't pretty as up guys make it look.

Firedog, did you buy the 4 pulley system from Willie and if so what is the cost, the list I show only has installed @240. They also don't show the double lid rowing seat in the prices they sent me but I see it on their website. :mad: I like details.

smoky, would like to see your double heater system, what is the BTU? also why next year are they going on sell at Koelers? What did you pay for it, Willie wants 325 but that is plumbed and out of the way.

I will probably pick your brains a bit more.
thanks again.

[ 03-06-2002, 10:56 PM: Message edited by: Gus Orviston ]

[Firedog]

Gus, Shoot me an e-mail and we will try a hook up for a float, you are also more than welcome to come over and take a look at my boat.I have a lot of the options you are looking at.
I did buy the anchor System from Willie, I am pretty sure you can install it your self for cheaper. Fishermans carries all of the parts for it. I found my price list from last year and it lists the two compartment rowing seat at $350.
Last thing is dont go with Diamond plate, it is really bright in the sunlight and the reflection will sunburn you. And as someone who spends a fair amount of time cleaning a fire engine that is covered in Diamond plate, it is a lot of work to keep shiny and nice looking.

[Gus Orviston]

I sent an email to you already. Send me directions because I would like to see your toy, and YES take it out and play with it. graemlins/lurk.gif

Diamond plate wasn't my choice, but it is the only thing their price sheet shows, as like other options they are not quite complete.

[Firedog]

Gus Send it again, god I love MSN, it seems I get about a quarter of what is sent to me.

[ 03-06-2002, 02:33 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

[toblerone]

I had a great weekend in our Willie on the
N.Umpqua. I just wanted to comment on the load carrying capacity of a Willie boat. This was the second time I had really loaded the boat with people. Sister, Brother Me and my Wife oh yeah and Annie the dog(bowbaby). I have a 16' boat, and balanced properly, I was very comfortable and felt safe with a full load. Pulled plugs mostly and once you get the water moving under the boat it tracked predictably and almost would pull itself up-stream at times! Willie Boats are the benchmark to which all other Drifters compare! FACT!

Stay with an Aluminum Boat and you are definatly on the right track looking at Willie first! Take a look at Garys/Newberg boat, nicest new boat on the Nestucca....
Think Fish
John

[Gus Orviston]

John, thanks again for the fish'n the other day and sorry I screwed up your Ifish name in my earlier post, oops. I guess I will go back and fix it.

How do you think the 17' would handle the river section we ran, you know that highly technical section of water nobody should float :wink: of the lower portion of the upper nestucca?

And what is right color combo to go with camo fish?

dennis

[GoFish]

17 foot boat is a yes. Everybody I've talked to says it tracks better that a 16 footer.
Bow mount anchor can be handy. Like tidewater bobber fishing. Forget the raised floor for the reason cited above. Storage box upfront is good a provides a ton of lockable space. Full width storage in oarsmans seat allowed me to store four 2-piece rods with reels mounted and still lock it up. Fish box of course(unless you don't ever catch anything). Rear anchor, I used the Bo's center pull/foot release system and would not use anything else. Pulling a 35# anchor from the side can be a ticket to the chiropractor. More importantly, setting the anchor without letting go of the oars makes placement accurate. In heavier white water, like the Deschutes, reach down an throw a single overhand knot in the anchor rope right at the foot release to avoid the deadly accidental release. Don't get the cutout. Unbolt the rear bracket when you want to use the motor (2-1/4 x 20 S.S. bolts!! How hard is that). Never wished I could anchor from the rear when I used the troller. Had a rear seat box and it was ok, but I never found it essential and you could always add it later if you thought you needed it. Have seen guys trolling with the seat mounted on the pin. Definately looks like too much compromise to me. Not only is the bow way up in the air, but your butt is just one twitch away from overboard. Absolutly yes on the galvanized trailer.

Sold my Willie drift boat & bought a sled some years back. Swore that if I ever bought another drift boat, I'd get a used beater instead of stressing over the wear & tear on a "pretty" boat.

Oh yeah, forget the heater too. That's for sissy's. Real men wear neoprene underwear!! All the time!!! :grin:

[toblerone]

If I were to be buying a boat tommorow I would buy a 16 wide bottom guide boat. The 18' and 20' I have been told pull very lightly. More area, less Draft.....
Being as your a Family Man spending a little more and getting a little more room to move around might be money well spent. An 18' is going anywhere a 16' is and 2 foot on a drifter is huge!
Battery boxes and a large Electric motor for Hagg and Silverton Reservoir..... Canopy w/side and rear drop curtins (for the front seats,
anyway)....Heater system....Portapotty.......VHF radio and FM/CD player..... 9.5' Counter balanced Sawyer Oars...
Lose the forward Bench and have 2 RollRoyce seats forward (removeable,use only one or none if not needed)....Stainless BBQ Gas charged from heater system.... 7 pulley Anchor System... Hey youu may as Well become a Bass fisherman...oooooooohhhhhhhgggggggggg!!!

[Flatfish]

Dang,
I kinda feel bad about my Willster now.4 pulley anchor ,Gluvit,raised floor.Everything else is optional.Storage in front or rear tends to trap a lot of moisture so don,t leave anything in there that can,t stink.Xtra cup holders are trick for bait.Too many options turns something into a James Bond thing and may distract you from fishing.Mine is a 16 and there are few waters that I havent seen in it.Certianly nothing that a 17 would do that mine wont.I love my cataracts.A buddy who is as good as they get hates them.No intentions to offend here,but it seems that gear is a lot more important to others than it is to me.
Good Luck.
Mark

[Gus Orviston]

Holy smokes, I must have fished with an imposter of Toblerone! The boat I was in didn't have any of that stuff, just a 3 legged stool and if I remember I pulled the anchor no 7 pulleys in that rig. :blush:

Flatfish, agreed, I like things that are functional and useful. If it isn't easy to use, and not intuitive it won't be a reflex when needed. I want to know what does/doesn't work for everybody and then pick and choose from there. KISS

I don't think I am sold on the built in heater, and as for paint I have put camo on my compound bow can't be that hard :shocked: I will make sure I got the ugliest float on the river.

[ 03-06-2002, 10:53 PM: Message edited by: Gus Orviston ]

[Spooled]

Hey Dennis, here is my boat. Might be a little to pretty for gofish though. :wink: No, that is not me in the boat, that is a real fisherman, Chuck-N-Duck.

http://www.ifish.net/uploads/06172264.jpg

[Gus Orviston]

Troy, Nice paint job, my shaker can approach can't match that. I bet you spend a lot of time looking at your reflection in the water and not fish'n huh? :tongue:

What does chunk'n'duck got in that rain gear he seems so fond of? :whazzup:

Ahhh, now I am drooling!