[matalpa]

I am thinking about replacing the raft with a drift boat. I saw an Osprey drift boat for sale, a 15' prodrifter. Anyone have one and want to tell me about them? How do they compare to other glass boats like Clackas and Hydes?

How do they row? How heavy are they? How tough?

Thanks,
Matalpa

 

[Jmills81]

i have a 14 footer...it's a great little boat. We bought it to learn on and it's served us well. Tracks pretty nice

Why sell the raft...very versatile.

 

[matalpa]

Mills,
Thanks for the reply. The raft is great, but it is a big Aire cat and is much harder to maneuver for optimal flyfishing. Plus, it is easier to put a drift boat in at some of the more rudimentary put-ins.

matalpa

 

[Jim Wheeler]

Osprey Drift Boats were built in Belgrade, Mt. probably over 10 years ago. You should be able to find the year on the serial number either on the stern or under a gunwale. Carl (the owner) and his one employee were very quality oriented. The quality far surpassed Hyde or Clacka. No chop gun, all pattern cut and hand laid. They made a 13', a 15' and a 16'. The 13 had more of a rounded chine but was very roomy for it's length and could uncomfortably fit three. The 15' was the sports car of the group. Very nimble and quick to an oar and carried three well. The 16 was the heavy lifter. It could carry quite a bit of weight comfortably. Not sure where the company went. One day they were there, the next day they were gone and running from their investors. I looked for the 13' mold for a couple years but it never surfaced. There you go

Jim Wheeler
Spring Creek Prams

 

[colehatch]

A buddy of mine has one in great shape for sale right now but he's located in TX. If you're interested let me know I will forward you the details.

jeff

 

[13223]

I really enjoy the history some guys are knowledgable on and am always grateful when they share. Thank you Jim.

BTW - The Scotty Anchor Locks you set me up with for my Gregor have been working very well. Your thoughtful help in selecting the right anchor locks for my boat is very much appreciated. You may not remember but thanks anyway.

 

[matalpa]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have talked to a few places that repair glass boats and they had some misgivings about working on Ospreys. Apparently Osprey used some type of foam sandwich that makes repairs much trickier than on regular fiberglass. Apparently in the last few years they made them without the foam. Think I might keep looking.

 

[Jim Wheeler]

TD, I don't remember but you're welcome. I try to get you the right part and sometimes it's tough getting past "my buddy told me I needed" to actually get you to "the best fit for what you're trying to achieve". And Osprey didn't use foam in their boats. And, even if they did the repair would be the same. I know they used a material called Coremat as a sandwich/stiffening layer as do I. The material is buried in the laminating schedule so far that the repair would be totally cosmetic and easy.