Anyone have any thoughts on the topic of fiberglass vs aluminum drift boats? I'm trying to decide between a 17' Clackacraft and a Willie: I notice that most of the guides run alumium boats. (Does Clackacraft's tunnel hull system actually make a difference?) Also, do any of you have experience with the larger driftboats, up to 20 feet? (I'm not a guide, and was wondering if the extra space of the longer boats is worth the extra rowing effort, assuming that there is more rowing effort required). Thanks.

ive fished out of 14, 16 & 18 footers, both glass and aluminum. my 14 foot lavro is by far the easiest and quietest! aluminum is noisy, but you can abuse them more..... solduc i like the strenth of metal for mounting pole holders and stuff, but hate banging most guys seem to run 16 foot aluminums.i think becouse their the smallest boat that comfortable fishes 3 men.

I have a 16" Clack with the tunnel hull and love it. It tracks real nice when your plugging and slides right of the rocks when you get into the shallows. I have never rowed a Willies, but I have rowed other aluminums and also a Hyde. Mine rows just as nice as the aluminums and better than the Hyde in my opinion.

There is plenty of room in the 16 footer and I don't see the point in going any bigger.

Zippy brings up some good points about mounting components to aluminum. It is a little more difficult in the fiberglass.

The Clacks are a little lower profile as well, so you may want to shy away from some bigger rapids although I have had mine through some decent size waves and it took them fine.

I doubt you could go wrong either way.

If you search the archives, this subject has spawned many lengthy threads.

There are pluses and minuses to both. Go with the boat you can get the best deal on.........

I prefer glass. I live on the Oly Pen. and fish the Duc all the time. I have a 16 ft wide bottom heavy duty glass boat and I guarantee you that we float when most aluminum boats won't because of low water. They don't stick on the rocks, they're quiet and they don't jar you so hard if you slam some rocks when going down rocky chutes in low water. I've had friends in my boat that figured I had all but ripped up the bottom after a trip down the Duc in low water but later showed them nothing but scratches. My only complaint is putting a heater in it in the winter. Better be careful or burn your boat. Hope this helps.

16' willie.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE