Sportsmen show drift boats

[TheHunt]

I was looking at the Willies and Pavati drift boats at the show.

There were young fellas there kind of board so I got them to give me a bid.

Willie: 9155
Pavati: 14053


By far the Pavati is a much nicer boat but one has to wonder if there is that much of a difference. 

[huntnphool]

I was looking at the Willies and Pavati drift boats at the show.

There were young fellas there kind of board so I got them to give me a bid.

Willie: 9155
Pavati: 14053


By far the Pavati is a much nicer boat but one has to wonder if there is that much of a difference.

Those kind of prices for a row boat are crazy IMO, we catch loads of steelhead from a pre owned Clacka that was half that price, just saying.

[Bullkllr]

I've had a Willie for over 20 years. Did everything I could imagine and more.

Those prices seem ...ridiculous...I think I paid 3 grand for boat, oars and trailer.

Nearly $15,000, wow. I know they have a front "door", but I really think the geometry and basic functional design of aluminum drift boats have not changed much since Alumaweld came out with a wide bottom back in the early 80s. More doo-dads; same basic idea.

$15,000... does it come with it's own in-person adult entertainment professional?

Don't know where you are at in the riverfisher/driftboater spectrum, but for those prices I'd look into a used boat. Guys buy them all the time and find out the crowds and needs for partners, pickup rigs, etc. are more hassle than they want to deal with. And if you use it at all- in less than a season the new boat will be in the same condition as a used one anyway. My 

Example http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/4301800058.html  $3200; nice looking boat.

[rasbo]

seen this one all set up 3700.00

[BigCutty3]

There is going to be a ton of used drift boats for sale once the general angling public realizes that the future of steelhead fishing is dim, at best.  I would wait and shop craigslist, seriously. 

[YoterHunter]

I bought the 17' worrer 1 1/2 years ago and love it yes exspensive. I owned 16 custom built glass boat for 21 years and have rowed several different make of boats in my life time. By far the Pavati is the esayest to row .plus getting older the doors are sweet for getting in and out. And the best thing about it is. It was my wife's idea. And she added 3000 dollers more to it then I was going to.

[PolarBear]

How are the Pavati's on weight?  The couple that I saw seemed pretty damn heavy, much too heavy to have to drag across a gravel bar or two or yard up a cliff.  The one with the captain's chairs was ridiculous.   

[lewy]

Everything with a price tag at the show was big bucks. Boats, campers, quads, utv's, hunts, etc. maybe I'm stuck in the past but wow

[snowpack]

There is going to be a ton of used drift boats for sale once the general angling public realizes that the future of steelhead fishing is dim, at best.  I would wait and shop craigslist, seriously.

One might even say most fishing boats.  I think the exception will be for tuna...for now.

[Bullkllr]

There is going to be a ton of used drift boats for sale once the general angling public realizes that the future of steelhead fishing is dim, at best.  I would wait and shop craigslist, seriously.

More truth to that statement than most of us are willing to admit.

[SuperFull]

There is a reason that you don't see very many pavati's on the water.....$$$$$$$$. The few extras that you may get IMO don't really justify the price tag.  I bought my 16x54 Fish-Rite on CL for $2,500 and it fishes and rows just fine. If I wanted some fancier more cushy seats +$150.  Comes to $2,650 total, which is a $11,403 savings off your pavati bid.  As for the door, that's easy, sawzall+hinges & latch+rubber seal = poor mans pavati.  

Personally if I had the money to drop 15k on a boat, I would be looking into a used sled.  If it is your first DB I would definitely suggest getting something used on CL that you won't care about beating the hell out of.  You gotta weigh out your want vs. need and decide from there. 

[PolarBear]

I really like my buddie's fiberglass Clackacraft.  Tracks great, comfortable, light and more affordable.

[hrd2fnd]

I know that fishseeker has his for sale in the classified section and if interested let me know and I can get you in touch wife and or son.  Nice looking and never used since it was built.

[Bullkllr]

Nice older Koffler
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/4289289853.html $4100.00 those have a little more rocker and higher sides to handle rapids better.

[Swatson]

I was just there and got a quote on a 16x54 Willies.  With all the options I wanted, it was right around 6500!  Kofflers were a few hundred more.