I'm have been researching drift boats lately with the intention of purchasing one in the not so distant future. One of the boats I have been looking at is Clackacraft. Does anybody have any experience with these boats? Another question I have is why do you seldom see fiberglass drifters on the OP? Thanks in advance.

Few glass boats on the OP is because when you club a native on the bottom of the boat glass is at risk for damage. Aluminum also makes a louder and more resonant sound!


Don't have any real experience with Clacks. Looking at the older ones I thought the sides and bow were a bit too high for good vision from the rowers seat. Newer ones have been redesigned with a lower, more "raked" bow. They certainly look like a fine boat. Must be pretty well-made as they have been selling a lot of them for years. I'm sure someone who owns one could fill you in.

I think you see more aluminum because people have the notion that they are tougher. I have a lavro and a willie and would say that they both do well in the same elements. With fiberglass just bonk the fish in the river.

I had a Clack for 7 or 8 years, nothing fancy but a good boat. I have rowed 3 different aluminum boats and none of them were as nice to row as my Clack. Wife has given me the ok to buy a new db this fall and unless I find a deal to good to pass up, I'm probably getting another Clack.

Clackacraft boats are very high quality. I personally prefer glass over aluminum, but if I were crashing into rocks frequently I could change my mind. I have owned 3 glass boats and love them.
Marty Sherman, former editor of Flyfishing the West is a Clackacraft rep and is a super guy. Give him a call.

I've been hearing a lot of opionions on this subject but haven't gotten a definitive answer yet, how well can you side drift or pull plugs from a Clack or Lavro DB?

Have rowed lots of both aluminum and glass boats,never a clack tho. Even tho I currently row a glass Hyde, I think the sharp chine on a aluminum boat tracks better for pulling plugs. As far as glass boats go, I prefer the semi rounded chine on a Hyde over the fully rounded chine on the much heavier Lavro. Most of my db fishing is in the winter/spring,so I prefer glass over alum cuz glass is warmer

Easy E, I see your home 20 is Kenmore which is only 20 minutes away from the Lavro shop in Monroe. You owe it to yourself to take the time and go out there and see how they are made, just ask for Ron.

The coast is full of tin boats because people think that a glass boat can't take the beating you get out there but that is b.s.

The Lavro shop is across the street from the main entrance to the major "hotel" in Monroe, just make sure you turn left not right!

Beezer

I like aluminum boats, and have a 17 ft Willies. However, looked at lots of them before and went to the Hyde factory over in Idaho Falls. They have a Clack on display so you can look at a Hyde and a Clack side by side. Its pretty much no contest. The Hyde is a much nicer boat. However, for steelhead fishing, both boats have a bunch of stuff you don't need or want as they are set up for fly fishing. Also, found both to be way over priced... Don't know much about Lavaro- but do see lots of old ones on the river which is a good thing I suppose. I got a great deal from the folks at Willie boats, and they were great to work with. You can't go wrong with that choice.

B-Run,neither the glass Hyde or the Clack cost any more than a Willie. Lavro,well that might be another story

My check book would indicate otherwize... If you want a glass boat with nothing in it you can get close to the price I paid for my Willies in a Hyde.

Skydriftin, you get what you pay for.

Ah drift boat wars, cool :p

I miss the jig war threads

Beezer,usually you do get what you pay for,however ,there is nothing about a Lavro that should make it cost 2 grand more than a Clack or a Hyde.

Skydriftin, Lavro makes a "Lazy Drifter", which is the same hull as a true Lavro and is competitively priced with Hyde or a Clackacraft, just ask Ron to put a Lavro sticker on it and keep the $2K in your pocket.

I have bashed my way down the Sol Duc many times in the good ol 18' Eastside! You can hear those tin boats coming two miles away!

My brother in law rows a 8-10 year old Clackacraft Guide and yes it is a great boat. Easy to row and yes you can pull plugs just fine. It does have leg clamps in the front that I always thought were for flyfishing but its fun to stand in them while retreiving a fish. And we bonk a fish laying on fiberglass, dont want to let the rest of the fish smell blood in the water!

Thanks for the input guys. I think I will go with a Clack.