A tree just fell on my Eastside drifter. It folded down both sides of the boat like an accordian. The osk rails didn't break on one side but did on the other. Both oars broke. Both seats came loose. The trailer axle is bent. Is it hopeless to repair? One fiberglass expert told me it would take 50-100 hrs. to repair and it wasn't worth it! I know nothing. Help?

Bummer. I don't know about costs for repair but I can tell you that I own a 73 drifter that I bought with trailor for $500 about 1-1/2 years ago. I Got a good deal on it but it may still be cheaper for you to buy a used boat. I put a few hundred dollars into "stuff" and lots of elbow grease into it. Pretty good old fishing boat now. Good Luck.

Sounds like junk to me.Drift Boat Insurance is CHEAP.Fraud is expensive.A new "old" high side Clackacraft would make a nice replacement.Way better than the Eastside.If you see one for sale and don't buy it please let me know as I would be interested.
GOOD LUCK FROM THE BILGE

xfisher, Call Ron at the Lavro shop in Monroe at 360-794-5525 and explain you problem to him. He and his brother made the old Eastsides. Ron should be able to tell you if it's junk or not.

Beezer

If it happened at home, Claim it on your insurance and get a new one. With that much damage it will probably never be the same.

hey bilgerat,why do you think a clack would be way better than a eastside,them eastsides were a hell of a boat

XFISHER,

Do like Beezer suggusted or better yet, take a
few pictures up to Lavro in Monroe so Ron can
tell ya if it's fixable.

If it can't be fixed, they make great sand
boxes for kids, or even flower boxes.

Really sorry to hear of your misfortune. Please let us know how it all works out for ya.

Cigar

I had MY LOVE made in 1976 and she is still going strong!! The stories she could tell!!

xfisher, i see your from redmond take the boat up to ollies on 196th in lynnwood they do a lot of insurance work for boats and have heard good things about there work seen some pretty expensive stuff in there being repaired, doug

Come on BilgeRodent don't be knockin Eastside. I have an old 18' that is Circa 1968. Been down just about every drift in the state! It's a beauty. Motorwell with 5 horse kicker for trolling the Sound or Lakes. Big enough to sleep three, too. Get some funny looks with the big boat on the Sol Duc.

Thanks you guys (gals?) for your advice. I thought I might get one reply in the next few weeks. I'm a newbie on the site. Very impressive all the activity. Not to mention the sage advice of course.

Bilgerat - you might be interested that of all the boats I've looked at the last week or so Clackacraft was at the top of the list. But I was also curious about the Yellowstone. They claim to have Laviguerre's old molds and their boat looks like a carbon copy but I'm assuming that they are using stronger materials now - maybe even lighter than 22 years ago. But the only used one I could find was in Michigan!!!

Driftwood - yes at home. They're putting in a new home next door and the trees were in their way - then in my way. So I'll get something from them. My deductible on my insurance was a hindrance.

Cigar - I tried Ron and emailed him pics too. Got a message today from him and he thought it wouldn't be worth fixing. So I guess I'll wander up his way this weekend and see what he might have sitting around.

If any of you hear of any great boats going for a song (or nearly a song) please let me kow.

Thanks to you all!

xfisher

Eastside and Lavro not the Same.
Ron who owns Lavro is a nutty guy who has stayed in biz by building quality boats.
On the other hand Andree his brother is(was ?) far less reliable and built an inferior product. The Eastside lacked the craftmanship of Lavro in many areas not the least of which was the amount of material and type of material used. I have owned both.I would buy back my 1976 Eastside if I could find it.Just for my boat collection.Eastside is very flimsy clmpared to the old High side Clackacraft.You can feel it when you row.