Fish-rite boats

crayfish69 · 02-11-2004, 05:04 PM

What's the skinny in fish-rite boats. Looking at buying a 23 footer (open). Boat looks killer but would like to hear from some of you guy's that might of owned one.

ZaQ · 02-11-2004, 05:32 PM

I have a fish rite drift boat. It is an '86 and when I was upgrading things on it, they were super helpful. Good customer service for me at least. Their sleds look really nice, and I have talked to guys about them on the water and they yelled back that they were very happy. You probably already went there, but they have a few for show on the river south of Wilsonville. Can't remember the name of the place, boat works or something, but that is where I have to go to get parts for the drifter. :grin:

joru · 02-11-2004, 05:43 PM

Crayfish69...I own a 21' Explorer built in '96 and have had no problems at all. Fish Rite is very easy to work with, and their prices are great. I have the 10 degree hull, and if doing it again, would get more of a deep-V. It rides rough in heavy chop, as do most sleds. I have the 460 Redline with the Hamilton 212, which is a very powerful combination. Fish Rite will mount all your electronics, if they build the boat, and you know in advance what you want. Buying any sled is a challenge...Good Luck

snit · 02-11-2004, 05:57 PM

Excellent boats! I just sold a 18' Explorer model. I've been everywhere in that boat, and it never let me down. It's a '93, but I bought it in '97 from my buddy (the original owner). Anyone who ever rode in it, commented on what a well constructed, and nicely finished boat it was. My dad liked it so much, he bought a 20' Explorer from a fellow ifisher last fall. He LOVES it! The only reason I sold mine is I wanted to go bigger (2footitis), and a screaming deal came by on a Intruder. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one though.

Thumper · 02-11-2004, 06:02 PM

Over the years I have heard nothing but good things about Fish-Rite. They are built like tanks. Hopefully FishinMission will comment. I think he has one that has served him well.

Premo · 02-11-2004, 06:27 PM

I owned a rivermaster for a few years and it was a great sled. Built very strong, good in shallow water and handled great. I know a few guys who have drifters and they love them too. Good luck!

SLEDDER · 02-11-2004, 07:08 PM

Supposed to be a good boat. Rumor has it they are hurting financialy, supposedly most employees are not aware of this "possible"(?) situation.

The Overfishin Condition · 02-11-2004, 07:52 PM

The guide that I fished with in Alaska had a Fish-rite. Very nice boat in my opinion. Wide and roomy. Of course the coolest part was the electronic motor lift, which, combined with the tilt of the motor, could bring the engine so only the prop was in the water, and the boat would draft about 6 inches, and still be under power. We went over one gravel bar into a "secret slew" where we could just hear the tinkling of gravel hitting the bottom while we did a stealthy slide over. Nice Boats!

Biteme · 02-12-2004, 06:38 AM

Ask Len Self his opinion of Fish Rite boats

Fishin Magician · 02-12-2004, 07:53 AM

Chris - they are very well built I own one and hav never had any issues. Get ahold of me if you have any questions. Todd has my #
John

CARTMAN · 02-12-2004, 08:04 AM

This summer I looked at almost every type of boat and loved the fish-rite. I would have bought one but my personal finances(threat of getting laid-off and then having a baby) didn't alow it. They are a great value and seem to be well built. I ended up getting a 15ft alaskan smokercraft w\25 horse electric start from a friend for $1500.00. But still wanting to get a fish-rite. They have suzuki motors (generaly). more and more suzuki is showing up out west. The motors are popular on the east coast. Hope you get what you want. Wanting a bigger boats is no fun.

fishpatrol · 02-12-2004, 12:22 PM

I've got the 21' explorer and I love it. I bought it used from the factory (demo boat). Killer deal, killer boat, and it gets real bloody.

fishinpoor · 02-12-2004, 01:21 PM

crayfish69,since i called in that great bull you killed this year make sure you set up that new fish-rite just the way i like my boats. :grin:

Crayfin · 02-12-2004, 05:21 PM

Fishinpoor---Good God Almighty

We have finally arrived--all our friends will think we're rich when we come sailing by in this badboy :grin:

Come up and we'll fish during the week when people will think it's out boat, we can take turns driving it by people

CRayfin

Fishin Magician · 02-12-2004, 06:25 PM

Dude - you have no shame.......This shouldnt suprise me coming from a guy who likes to hold other peoples fish for a picture.......

:grin:

:grin:

"Still Beautiful"

John

Crayfin · 02-12-2004, 06:47 PM

Jealousy is such an ugly emotion. Tell you what Mr. Fancy Pants............I feel charitable,
you can come too.

BTW-I thought you said I got to hold all those fish because I was so "DAMN PRETTY"

Oh Yeah------------GAME ON!!!

Todd

Fishin Magician · 02-12-2004, 06:50 PM

Good thing you are pretty........

HOGTIDE · 02-12-2004, 09:08 PM

I checked Fish-Rite at the Boat Show and the Sportsman Show. I was impressed. They appear to be one of the most sturdy and nicely welded boats out there these days. Extra wide gunnels, zolatoned diamond plate in all of the tread areas and an outstanding willingness to uniquely customize a boat for you.

You may have seen the 22' open sled at the sportsmanshow. It had more options than any sled I have seen and it was about $17 K without power. I think that was a heck of a deal relative to what the latest trend builders are asking.

For my next boat, I will take a serious look at Fish Rite.

02-13-2004, 12:27 PM

I've fished in and driven FM's Fishrite. If I was looking for a very solid, wide and stable, used 20 foot boat with virtually a brand new 200 HP Merc pump, solid Rogue trailer, I know what boat I would buy. FM might even "touch you" for free. :smile:

FishinMission · 02-13-2004, 11:20 PM

O.K....Well I've had one for 15 years now...It's an '83 20' flat bottom. Love it to death, but am moving up NORTH to fish the local RIVER . Fish Rite builds a great boat, but finding a dealer may be hard. The dealer in Wilsonville told me they were giving up their distributorship because the factory undercuts the dealers (at least that is what he told me, along with the story of the financial woes).

I was hot to get another one (Rivermaster) but found the most beam I could get was 96". The 21 footer comes with a .190 bottom, but you may be able to get one at .250 at additional cost..not sure.

While I can't speak of the current structural integrity on the new boats, mine is built like a tank, and for a flat bottom...people tell me mine rides way better than other flatties, probably due to weight, and the way they build their bottoms.

There was a really nice 21 foot Rivermaster at a great price in the Ifish classifieds. I put alot of thought into whether I should buy it or not, but opted not to after seeing others on the market.

Mark

Whomever buys mine in the upcoming months will get one solid boat.

FishinMission · 02-14-2004, 07:24 AM

******... [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

Mark

Wreckless · 02-14-2004, 07:32 AM

I have an '86 Fishrite 18' flattie with a 150 Yamaha. Great boat...it's like fishing from a dock. It rides rough, but its a flattie! I've run through spots where V sleds clipped rocks :shocked: ONCE!!! [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] It's been a great boat for me..never missed a beat.