Has anyone tried one of these boats? Is it worth upgrading from a Predator, I would use it mainly on the Kenai with some Cook Inlet Salt.

Call the bunch at Kenai Rivebend Resort. That's where Willie spends the summer, and I know they run Willie Boats exclusively (except for the salt boats). I don't know if they have a raptor, but all the guides are very knowledgeable with his products.

No offense to snit, but don't bother calling Kenai Riverbend Campground. All of the guides and all of their rental boats that run out of there are Predators, not Raptors (yes, Willie summers there but this year he brought up the new Predator V shallow running boat).

Willie has a contact person down in Puyallup that has a Raptor on site, can show it to you and even demo it if you are serious enough about buying (he also has some other Willie products there).

His name is Tim but he goes by TK. His contact number is 253-686-4004. I've known TK for along time, he is great to deal with and can put your Willie package together for you without you having to go to Central Point, OR, for the same price you would get down there. He has been associated with Willie for quite some time.

Let me know if you need more info.

PD

Yukon

Watch it, now. Tihis board can get addictive!

I inquired about Raptors on the Willie website. Their rep said this is definitely NOT a Kenai boat. Too big and could never be pushed by 35 horses. It was designed for the big river/bay angler... ie Columbia River, Tillamook. Would make a great boat for trolling Cook Inlet for kings, but you'd still need your Predator for the river... and where would you park this barge anyway?

Yukon, just curious, how big is the king in your avatar? been looking for 1 like that for about 30 yrs.

That fish was caught this summer and was 55 1/2 by 34 1/2 and was 82 on a registered scale about 4 hours after it was caught. The Anchorage Daily news wrote an article about it on Aug 1 in the sports section.

Doc, I wonder if the Raptor would be a good combo boat if the Kenai goes to 50 hp. Looking at the specs on the boat it is actually 100 lbs lighter than a Predator.

yukon

I looked on the Willie website and you are right... the smallest Raptor at 21' is about 100 pounds lighter than a comparable Predator. Gotta be less metal with the steeper V up front, but it sounds like the hull tapers down to 10 degrees at the back just like a Predator X. I believe the Willie rep replied to my initial inquiry when the thing was brand new and the only length actually produced was 24'. They have obviously expanded the product's line-up. That smaller Raptor may end up being an excellent combo boat for the Inlet/ Kenai. With that extra V in the water, though, there might be a bit more rock and roll as other boats go flying by your backtrolling spot... just a thought. Let me know if you decide to buy one. I'd like to go on a test drive.

I just bought a new house so I am not in the position to buy one for a couple years. It just looks like a really nice combo boat. It will be interesting to see when they start showing up on the Kenai. Maybe Willie could bring one up to test and for die hard Willie guys to take a ride in.