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.

[YoterHunter]

It's know heavier then my old glass boat. And with the Kevlar bottom it slides over rocks just like a glass boat. With 3 people and gear I set 5 " of water. At my age it's the last drift boat I will buy. And yes I have the seats with the arm rest. Wife's idea. And glad I did it's so much more relaxing when not fishing. Will be on the nooch Sunday putting in half way of the upper drift. Floated 2 weeks ago when the river was at 450 only hit bottom once.

[TheHunt]

YoteHunter,
You ever need someone to go with you please let me know.  I would love to experience rowing it.  Heck I will pay for your turn around fee.

[fishcrazy]

If you talk to Willie boats I'm sure they will even put doors in for you. Contrary to what Pavati tells you Willie built the first DB with a door back in the 80's for a handicap customer.

I really like some of the options in the Pavati and when I'm ready for my next boat will be talking to Willie about those options.



keep on eye out for a used boat. You can get some really good deals if you are on them the same day they go up for sale.


Kris

[whitey]

I bought a 2011 Special Edition Lavro Lazy Drifter complete with trailer, anchor and pulley system, seats and oars (the oars were junk) for $3000.00 it had been in the river 3 times before the guy went and bought himself a sled.
A great boat and a great price.

[Houndhunter]

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

How would you know? You never row

[PolarBear]

I have a few times and am getting more time on the sticks.  Dave wouldn't let either one of us take over on the Hump this week.  I wanted to take it over the grate!   

[BLR 243]

I remember the drift boat days. I started out with an old Eastside bathtub, as soon as you let go the oars it would start turning left or right wouldn't track. Next came a new Fishright last one sold @ Teds in Lynnwood, nice boat fished a lot of rivers in that boat. sold it for $2500 had 2 people bidding on it. Next came the cadilac of boats a Willie delux guide model with  side anchor, lowered front seats, paint, bra, saywer,  oars nice boat rowed like a dream. Used it 3 times eventually  sold it and bought a Lowe roughneck sled. No more steelhead.

[Button Nubbs]

I bought a 2011 Special Edition Lavro Lazy Drifter complete with trailer, anchor and pulley system, seats and oars (the oars were junk) for $3000.00 it had been in the river 3 times before the guy went and bought himself a sled.
A great boat and a great price.

Love love love the way those lazy drifters row!

[Come Get Some]

My first boat was a 14' eastside. Added 12" to the sides,same size as the Clackacraft. The first Clackacraft was made off of the Eastside 14' mold. Traded 2 fishing rods for it, sold it for $2100.00. Bought my first Clackacraft high side in the 80's for $1500.00 Sold it for $3000.00 bought the new Clacka Craft guide series for $3800.00. Bought another 17' Northwest Clackacraft for $2000.00. Last year I sold the 16" guide model that I paid $3800.00 for and got $5200.00. Sold the 17' Northwest for $5000.00. Both Boats were used alot but kept in a garage all year when not used. Bought the new ClackaCraft high side. LOVE IT. I can stand and row comfortably. Lots of room for 3 guys. Loves big water. Quiet,rows easy, only 60 lbs heavier than my 16' guide model and rows the same or better. Clackacraft boats go up in price. I sold both boats the first day the add was ran. Got exactly what I asked for them. Made money on all of them and ended up with a new drift boat and money in my pocket. Life is GOOD!!!!

[whitey]

Button Nubbs
They do slide real nice. With the Square tops its a dream..
Real quiet. I have always liked the glass boats. Plus I got a sweet heart deal on it.

[ML_Hunter]

The Paviti's are nice boats, Im planning to buy one this year. If you buy new, you can have anything you want to ad to it and customize it to your liking. That said...There are TONS of really nice pre-owned drift boats on the market. Clackacraft makes excellent boats, and I just saw a used clacka on craigslist for $3500.

I will try to find that link for ya.

[mallard79]

Even a pizza oven.    Are you buying a boat to fish out of or live in? I guess if you are not planning on running any shallow stretches where you might have to drag or portage your boat then the Pavati is probably a nice boat. With this years low water I would not want a Pavati depending on what rivers you fish.

 I would rather spend the same money as a pavati and get either a used sled or buy a brand new drift boat and all new gear for it and still have cash in my pocket for gas, beer and turn around services.

[Bullkllr]

Thing about drift boats, whether you spend $500 or $11,000, they all come with the same motor.

[BLR 243]

  Portuguese Diesel.

[TheHunt]

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.

Thanks for the drift yesterday.  You have a very nice boat and it rows very nice as well. 

[lazydrifter]

I couldn't even imagine taking a $14000.00  drift boat down the solduc.  My buddy built me my glass driftboat back in 2000 for $1000.00 and it's been everywhere.  I've looked at Willies and Clacks.  Figured this one fishes just as well.

[Bullkllr]

 
First dent, OUCH, there goes $2 Grand.

[YoterHunter]

Been floating the nooch. With water to flowing at 433 and 3 people don't have any probelems. Plus having the Kevlar bottom is slides over rocks nice.

[Bullkllr]

No offense, Yoterhunter, but the key word there is "nooch".

And I'm not kidding when I say I'm sure your Pav is a wonderful boat. You are lucky to be able to justify the investment.

[TheHunt]

Trust me... His Pavati is a very nice boat.  It rowed very nice.  The best part, it was his wife's idea to get it. 

[Button Nubbs]

Even a pizza oven.    Are you buying a boat to fish out of or live in? I guess if you are not planning on running any shallow stretches where you might have to drag or portage your boat then the Pavati is probably a nice boat. With this years low water I would not want a Pavati depending on what rivers you fish.

 I would rather spend the same money as a pavati and get either a used sled or buy a brand new drift boat and all new gear for it and still have cash in my pocket for gas, beer and turn around services.