Willie Boats Willie Drift Boats Review

Review Date
June 7, 2009

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: BMorton ,  Paddler

Summary:
I bought my Willie drift boat in 1984 and still have it. I owned an alumaweld before that and I had a FishRite for a couple years also but traded it for a car. Plus I've rowed a half dozen others and frankly can't tell enough difference in any of these boats to say one is better than the other. Put them side by side and the difference is almost nill.
I've talked to other Willie Boat, FishRite, Alumaweld, etc. and asked them what the difference is and they come up with, "it tracks better". I ask them what's their definition of tracking and they stumble all over themselves. I think they have been brainwashed and don't know what they're talking about. It's the same scenario with pickups. I drive a Ford, my Dad drove a Ford and by golly Ford makes the best truck. So, this tells me they either paid too much to say different or don't know what they are talking about. Ask anyone about their boat and they will say it's the best boat on the river. So, these other reviews are meaningless to me. Although I would like to buy another drift boat this year or next, there is no reason to go buy the same boat I already own.
So, I'll just wait until something better comes along.

Customer Service:
Good but I got good CS from them all.

Similar Products Used:
FishRite, Alumaweld, Clacka, Rowe, Valco, River Wolf, North River.

Review Date
March 18, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: steelhead Chuck(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler

Summary:
Willie makes a good boat- But check out PAVATI Drift boats before you buy. I am the manufacturer and I'm just getting started. Let me know what you think!

Review Date
February 25, 2009

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: N T Tullao(Unregistered User) ,  Snowboarder

Summary:
My last boat and the best i have ever owned and/or rowed is my 18'6" RiverWolf Sidedrifter. What a great boat, tons of room, tons of features, rows better than smaller boats with a bigger load and while not cheap at just under $10 grand, it is truly a Cadillac. Can't imagine not having a walk around oar seat. The list of features it came with would bring the other boats up way more than 10,000---I know---I checked.

I hear all the hype about Willie boats and to be honest...they make great boats. But I HONESTLY have rowed them all in my 30 years of fishing...my Riverwolf will be my last boat. I

Customer Service:
How many times did I pester RIverwolf??? A lot and was always greeted as a friend and valued customer. The owner refuses to bad mouth the competition but rather works hard to sell you on his boat.

Similar Products Used:
When you fish like i do you have any number of friends who have other boats---rowed and fished out most everyhting out there at one time or another.

Review Date
February 2, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Pete Updike(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler

Summary:
This is our 3rd Willie Drift Boat and we could not be more pleased. You can not beat a Willie for rowing ability and the fit and finish is the best out there.
Our boat is the new 17x54 Diamond Addition with all the bells and whistles.

Customer Service:
The folks at Willie Boats will bend over backwards to try to make your buying and after sale experience great.

Similar Products Used:
Fishrite,River Wolf,Alumaweld

Review Date
May 22, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.57 of 5, 7.00 votes

Reviewed by: willie_rower(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year , from Roseburg, OR

Summary:
Absolutely the finest boat on the market.
The best handling in white water even loaded down with a weeks worth of camping gear. Bar far the best rowing and tracking boat out there. The 17' wide bottom is the only way to go.

Customer Service:
Mike Jackson is the most honest and nicest guy you'll ever meet. Great experience buying from them.

Similar Products Used:
Fish Rite, Alumaweld, River Wolf, Koffler
No comparison to a Willie Boat.