I am looking for a drift boat or raft (or anything else I could pull with a 2WD, 4-cylinder pickup that meets my basic needs).

Needs:
Seating for at least three (preferably four), including the operator
The ability to fish rivers or lakes
Sound hull (no leaks or blemishes that alter performance)
Some amount of dry storage
Doesn't row like crap (relatively speaking)
Sound trailer

Nice-to-haves:
Rod storage
Pulley anchor system
Galvanized trailer
Spare wheel for trailer
Any extras

Got anything that meets those specs that you'd like to sell? Please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

FF02,

What do you think about a wooden drift boat? Although maintenance isn't that much work for well cared for boats, many people want zero bother.

I ask because a conservation organization has a brand new boat that was donated to them as part of a fund raiser. It's a $4,000 boat, but apparently no bites, and I just saw yesterday that the price has been lowered to $2,000. Complete with new trailer with spare tire, oars, not sure about anchor. But it's a lot of boat for the money, and will be the best looking boat on most rivers.

Sg

Thanks for the tip, Sg. Sure sounds like a sweet deal.

To tell you the truth, I haven't considered wooden boats much, probably because I don't know much about them. They're certainly easy on the eyes, but that doesn't mean too much to me - this will be my first non-inflatable boat.

What can you tell me with regard to durability, weight, and performance relative to aluminum or fiberglass?

FF,
This was post on the WFF board a few days ago.
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php/75429-2008-Clackacraft-drift-boat-ffb-6500

Hey Shad, you can borrow my driftboat anytime you want.

I just won't make any guarantees about the trailer's ability to get to the river, or the boat's to get down it. No reason to suspect that they won't but I haven't used it that much lately.

Thanks, Stonefish. I actually looked at that boat on Friday. It's an awesome boat, but frankly more than I really need. I made him an offer, but he stood his ground. Boat's still on Craigslist, so we'll see....

I may just take you up on that, RR. I don't expect guarantees at the price you're offering.

I have a buddy that had a great raft for sale awhile back and asked me to see if I could sell it for him. I never got around to it and can see if he still has it. I don't think he used it more than a time or two.

fp

That sounds great, fp. Please let me know if he's still got it.

That's a square deal for a Willie with only a few years on her for sure, Stam, and I appreciate the suggestion, but I am trying to keep the cost somewhere below $3K (I should add this criterion to my original post), as this will be my first true boat. I might go as high as $3,500 for a boat that "speaks to me," but until I know more about what I really want/need, I don't want to go all in.

The paint is a cool option at what I think seems like a good price. I know who to call when I get ready to set up my ultimate fishing machine.

Thanks for the tip!

Oops.... Too late to edit my initial post. For all who might have suggestions for me, I am looking to keep the cost below $3,500.

Thanks for all the help/suggestions thus far.

Emailed my buddy that has the raft. Haven't heard back yet.

fp

Flea, Raft has been sold. He just called me. Sorry.

fp

Thanks, fp. Rafts seem to be the hottest thing going right now, so it doesn't surprise me a bit.

Thanks again for looking out.

You might check out this boat:

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/forum...html#Post638009

That's a sweet ride, Provider, but probably a bit too sweet for my blood at the moment. This will be my first drift boat/raft, and I don't want to go above $3K before I know what I really want in my dream ride. I figure rowing something solid but seasoned will teach me a few of the criteria I will be looking for.

I said earlier in the thread that I would go up to $3,500 for something that looked like a can't miss, and I would say your boat qualifies. That said, I won't even offer you that amount on your boat; it would be an insult. I don't expect you'll have much trouble selling it at or near the asking price.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/2219642155.html

fp

I think RVRFSHR may still have a nice clack for sale in that price range...

http://steelheadnotebook.net/forum/index...mp;topic=5945.0

FS- 16'X50" Clackacraft Highsider

Page 41 in classifieds if interested.

Thanks, fp. Saw that one. An old Lavro would be a great boat. If I were confident in my ability to fix up the seats, I think I would offer the guy $750 for the boat and try to find a new trailer. An old trailer is one thing, but it looks like that one was never intended for that boat (judging by the fact that the boat is cocked to one side in two of the pictures).

Any idea who might be able to do the glass work and how much it might cost?