Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 28, 2011, 06:42:52 PM
Post by: fishcrazy on June 28, 2011, 07:23:17 PM
"Simply the Best"
I own 2 of their boats.
Kris
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 28, 2011, 07:47:40 PM
Post by: Antlershed on June 28, 2011, 07:52:55 PM
Metal boat- Hits rock, gets stuck. You get out and push.
Glass boat (Clack)- Hits rock, bottom flexes over it, and you keep on rowing.
A buddy of mine guided on the Kalama for a while and when all the guys with metal boats were at home cause the water was low, he was floating it and nailing fish in his clack.
I owned a Clack and my cousin rowed it (he had also rowed a Willie) and he said the clack was way easier to row and tracked way better. :twocents:
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 28, 2011, 07:57:32 PM
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 28, 2011, 07:58:40 PM
Post by: CallMeBigPapa on June 28, 2011, 08:03:25 PM
My buddy has a Clack that I've rowed a few times and there is no way it rows and tracks better than my Willie. My .02
Post by: jackelope on June 28, 2011, 08:06:49 PM
I have a 16' Lavro glass boat and have no issues with it. I think they tend to be a little heavier than aluminum so the aluminum boats tend to handle a little better, especially with a load in them but the glass is a lot quieter. I've done +/- 48 miles on the Oregon Deschutes in a 17' aluminum boat and it was great....loaded, 4 guys, all gear, camped out of the boat for 4 days. Also did a guide trip on the Rhonde when it was way low and we lined that boat and walked through some real skinny water. I woulda done the same with my glass boat though.
Post by: MuleySniper on June 28, 2011, 08:11:25 PM
:twocents:
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 28, 2011, 08:27:00 PM
Post by: grade-creek-rd on June 29, 2011, 09:09:56 AM
I got a 16x54 willies for $2800...it is a $4,000 boat...
but if you must know my preference it is an aluminum boat for one reason...propane heaters for winter steelhead fishing...my buddy has a Hyde and yes, it slides across gravel bars with ease...but I put a coating of "coat it" on my drift boat bottom and it too slides just as easy...
So, if there are two "specific" things I would recommend...one is try and get a wide boat...as they float higher in the water, like my 16x54 floats higher (less drag) than a 16x48...the second thing is think about what you will mostly use it for...you being from Chehalis, you might hit some of the local rivers more often, such as the Humptulips, Satsop, Wynoochee, etc...therefore a metal boat would my what I would recommend...those rivers have great fall and winter fisheries...and man, theres nothing better than a hot cup of coffee, on anchor with the propane heaters going while twitching jigs for coho...
G-C-R
PS. the main reason you see the guys in Idaho and Montana using glass boats is because their rivers can get real "skinny" in summer...and in winter it snows so its a "dry cold" something you can dress for...for us wetside washingtonians we get "wet cold"...rain instead of snow, and man, there is no way to "dress" for that...the best rain gear will still get you soaked with sweat while you row...so it's nice to have those heaters to dry out and stay warm...but again, the best drift boat is the one you got for a screaming deal...PM me if you want info on anchor locks, oars, seats configurations, etc...oh, and if you can get your hands on last Dec. issue of STS there is a great article in there on some "do it yourself" improvement projects for a metal boat...
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 29, 2011, 09:22:42 AM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on June 29, 2011, 09:24:24 AM
It tracked superbly for plugging. The Clack sucks for that.
That said, If I was buying a new drifter Id have to row the new Clacks with the tunnel hull and dimples before I made my decision.
If your not going to consider a new enough clack that has the tunnel hull and dimples, look to a metal boat for sure.
Even on lakes you work harder keeping it rowing straight with a glass non tunneled boat. Even with a electric trolling motor.
I'm not sold on the tunnel until I row it. I garentee I could get my Willie down the Kalama even on a low water day. Nothing stopped that boat!
Post by: Houndhunter on June 29, 2011, 12:55:22 PM
Post by: TheHunt on June 29, 2011, 01:16:46 PM
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on June 29, 2011, 04:17:40 PM
I saw that Thorbuilt too, good lookin boat. I know John used to build nice stuff, never heard how Dean and Mike did......
Post by: jackelope on June 29, 2011, 04:34:41 PM
Post by: TheHunt on June 29, 2011, 05:46:58 PM
I like the idea of hunting off a drift boat. Lots of opportunities in Oregon, Wyoming and Montana for such a hunt.
Post by: RadSav on June 29, 2011, 06:23:49 PM
Been pondering a drift boat lately, whatcha think is better, glass or aluminum and why. Got my eye on Willie and Clackacraft. Thanks. Later
Hey 257, Two outstanding boats you're looking at. If you go Willie don't go Glovit anymore. The new UHMW sheeting glides over rocks much better. The Willie might be the better "Hunting" boat since mounting a motor may be needed. However, my choice for an enjoyable fishing trip is the Clack'.
Possibly no pro guide has put more hours in a Clack than Steve Flemming of Mah-Hah outfitters Fossil, OR. You might want to give him a call if you need questions answered from a highly qualified Clack' veteran. Book a trip with him even better. That is if you can reserve a seat. http://johndayriverfishing.com/ (http://johndayriverfishing.com/)
Can't go wrong either way. You must have done some good homework before getting this far.
I'd like to take that Pavati for a test drive. Looks pretty nice from the bank.
Post by: CallMeBigPapa on June 29, 2011, 06:36:28 PM
Post by: fishcrazy on June 30, 2011, 09:23:16 PM
The doors look cool but a guy can get them from Willie also. They put the first door in a drift boat back in the 80's for a handicap guy.
Kris
Post by: RadSav on June 30, 2011, 10:04:18 PM
Clack and Willie do it all well with a reasonable price tag and a very comfortable platform. I've seen a few on Craigs List the past few years that were extremely good deals. Save your money on the boat and buy some "Premium Oars". You'll be glad you did.