Which used brands seem to have the best performance, longevity, features, and resale value? Particularly important - how much is the actual market value (entire package, including trailer, oars, anchor, etc.) for brands and types; such as comparing metal, fiberglass, and wood. I have a couple friends starting to look for used driftboats, and I'm sure it's a good subject for a lot of us to gain from. Thanks.

RT

I would say,
#1 Willies
#2 Alumaweld
#3 Fish-Rite
#4 Koffler
#5 Clacka Craft
#6 Lavro
Just my $.02
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

For shear resale value, assuming the boat is in reasonably good shape, I'd say in the aluminum category:

1) Willies

2) Wild hair

3) Alumaweld

4) fish-rite

5) Koffler

In the fiberglass category:

1) Hyde

2) Lavro

3) Clackacraft

Pretty funny, not one of you mentioned Thor- built drift boats, every bit as good as a willie and definately better than the others mentioned. By the way I have a 2ooo demo / guide model fully loaded on an aluminum trailer for sale. It is black and in great shape. e-mail me for the details
Peace Superfly

No one mentioned Diamondback either. Great value there.

To me the simple answer to this question is: what older boats do you see around the most? I see mostly old Lavros and Eastsides both of which were hand made, each layer of fiberglass cloth is hand brushed in with the resin making a super strong hull. The Hydes and Clackacrafts are sprayed into molds with the fiberglass matte fibers mixed in with the resin. This assembly line technique makes for a weaker boat in my opinion
I do see some beautiful hand made old wood boats around however I think their best performance is achieved when they remain on the trailer.

I had an old Koffler that I bought for $2500 then sold it 4 years later for the same amount so I would say that the resale held up on that boat. I would also say that the Koffler is far superior to the Alumawelds or the Fishrites. It tracked really well and took a beating (that thing was built like a tank). I have rowed Fishrites and I have yet to see one that tracked well. In fact a friend on mine had one that came from the factory twisted. The Alumawelds track OK, but they dent easily. I have a Wild Hair now. That thing has got all the comforts of home and responds really well. In fact my only complaint is that it responds so well it is a little twitchy while pulling plugs. It has a super light feel when you are rowing it and rides really high in the water.

I don't have any expereince any of other brands mentioned. Here is how I would rate the boats that I have expereince with.

*Wild Hair (Lots of features, rows and handles well)

*Koffler (built really tough, they track straight, they row pretty well but the handling is a bit sluggish)

*Alumaweld (Nice features track straight, they row OK, but dent easily)

*Fishrite (they row like tanks and don't track straight)

*Lavro (The boat I rowed was an older model so it may not be a fair comparison. It rowed a bit on the sluggish side)

I bought a used 16' 1992 Alumaweld a couple years ago for 2500. I have not rowed other boats so really cannot tell you how it compares. I will say, however, that the boat tracks perfectly and is unbelievably tough. The biggest drawback with the boat is its weight. A take-out boat launch is mandatory!! If I were to do it again, would certainly look for something a bit lighter without compromising strength.

RM

For resale value I would say aluminum boats, Followed by glass and bringing up the rear is wood.
Willie, Fishrite, Alumaweld and Koffler are probably the top 3 in resale value. These 4 Aluminum boat builders have been in buisness the longest, More people know about them then the other aluminum boats.
Glass boats,
I would guess it would go.. Clackacraft, Hyde, then Lavro.
1 big factor in the resale value is the trailer.A rusted out homemade trailer isnt worth squat. Galvanized trailers help keep the value of the total package up. Options dont really seem to be a factor in the resale value of boats.

Thanks much guys. I had 2 reasons posting this used driftboat subject. For general interest of readers. And because I am thinking about selling or trading my barely used cataraft for a used drifboat. I thought I would use the cat much more than I have. None of my fishing friends down here have cats, they prefer to go in driftboats. And I haven't had enough opp to come up to cat rivers with WA guys like Jerry D. and Osprey. So I have only had it out 4 times - NF Nehalem, Kilchis, Wilson, and the upper Trask (Marty M. and I decided not to float the Hoh with it due to lack of fish, so we took his boat out of Sekui instead). For anyone interested in it, it's a Don Hill McKenzie Cat; one of the very best on the market. It's the 10.5' larger premium tube version; made from the best material and double layered on the bottom. It has a 2 padded seat aluminum frame with diamond plate flooring, sliding rowing seat and adjustable oarlock positions for using with one person or 2. It has built on zippered storage bag compartments. It has a pulley anchor system with pyramid lead anchor, and comes with a pair of top grade fiberglass oars and a folding spare oar. It also has a motor mount at the rear of the frame. It was the best cataraft I found at the Portland outdoor show at the Expo last year so I bought it. It doesn't have a scratch on it, even on the bottom. This whole package retails for around $2900 new. I don't know what it's worth, but I would think $2200 dollars in trade on a properly priced used driftboat. And I'd throw in a cataraft rowing lesson on a float with you if requested. If interested, e-mail me at reeltruth1@home.com Thanks. - RT

Edit: I discovered prices have come down on all catarafts, due to competition. So I adjusted my figures.

[ 05-19-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

There is a new Co. starting up in Port Townsend. I just bought their first boat.
Fiberglass, 16 ft, 57 in. bottom, full length
seat runners. Awesome looking boat. No name yet but if anyone is interested email me and I will give you the guys home phone #.

Hey what about the Slide rite drift boat? I'll match my Slide rite against any other fiberglass. Excellent pluggin boat. Probably not as tough as an Eastside but thats what gel coat is for. My .02

The Reel Gizmo Man has a Slide Rite and I rowed it recently on the Kalama. They make a nice boat. His is for sale. I think his e-mail is available on his posts in the letter icon.

RT

I'm no "tin boat" expert, but when it comes to Fiberglass, Lavro driftboats hold their value throughout the years. Hydes and Clacks just get too beat up because they don't handbrush the fiberglass layers in w/ the resin.

If you buy a Lavro for $6,000, you can often get $6,000 for it when you sell it 10 years down the road. Sure $6,000 in ten years isn't worth $6,000 now but they hold their value. We floated the Missouri River last year in a hyde and glanced off a big rock. It not only scratched, but it gouged! I've NEVER seen a Lavro do that.

Kevin