Wilcraft

[OTBASSER]

After seeing ads on tv for the Wilcraft self propelled floating fishhouse I am wondering how well they work. They look kinda crudely made but very funtional. Wondering if anyone has boughten used or test driven one of these. It just might have to go on the wish list of things I will probably never buy.

[Flaco651]

Look up Deperado. He's got all the info you'd need about the Wilcraft. Also look in the For Sale forum here, he posted a couple models in there. I've never test driven one on the ice, but played around with one at the ice show earlier this year. Sweet machine. I'd buy one now if I could afford one.

[Flaco651]

There was a video posted in the metro forum of the wilcraft in action during early ice too.

[GrumpyOldCrappie]

They are sweet machines. Even the used go for 5 grand or more.

There's a bunch of videos on You Tube.

[hugonian1]

I think the big downfall is the inability to go thru any amount of snow. It would have pretty limited use IMO.

[Desperado]

Every machine has its time and place.

There are some times and places when snowmobiles, fourwheelers and Wilcrafts are all getting to the same spot just fine.

AND

There are times and places when any one of the three will be better than the other two.

However most of the time with a Wilcraft, running in snow is about the same as a four wheeler. (in some conditions the wheeler will do a little better and in some conditions the Wilcraft will do a little better)

[OTBASSER]

Yeah I was just curious what other thought about them. I get around just fine in my pickup or atv.

[God chaser]

I bought a wilcraft at the end of last ice season. Got a chance to take it on and off the ice at last ice. Looking way forward to driving all my gear and myself right off the trailer right out to the ice with out dragging or carring anything. Plus this season I put a troll motor on the front, made sure the ice holes were plugged and drove it off the trailer into the water and had a boat too.

Try buying a boat, a atv, and the best portable ice shelter out there all at once and see how much you'll spend.

I figure I could wish and drool for the next 10 years over this machine...or I could get out there and really enjoy LIFE WHILE I CAN

[SapperACE]

It doesn't seem practical to me to buy a machine that has only one use, and that use is an activity that is only possible maybe 4 months out of the year.

In my opinion, an ATV would be a much better investment, even if you still had to buy a portable fish house, and a boat. At least then they wouldn't be perminately attached to your ATV! Plus, I'm not sure If it's fair to even classify that thing as a "boat". Yeah it floats if you break through the ice, but I can't picture myself pulling crank baits in July with that thing.

[Desperado]

???? Sorry, I just don't understand the limited use mindset.

Most of us are lucky to get to use our snowmobiles 4 months of the year. (Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar)

And most people in this state only use their boats 5 months of the year. (although many members here are the exception to that statement)

I fished on the ice in the Wilcraft 5 full months last winter; Nov 20 to Apr 20.

Duck hunting? excellent rig.

It's actually easier to haul goose decoys or a dead deer in the Wilcraft than it is to strap them onto an ATV.

I know guys who use them for firewood.

Even a farmer who uses it to haul newborn calves in from the pasture to the barn.

Perception of use (either limited usage or expanded usage) is mostly self imposed.

[CrowRiverRat83]

I agree Desperado. It seems like a well rounded rig. Have fun with it!

[WinterHaven]

I have looked at this rig quite a few times and if I had the extra cash to buy one I would. But if I really had the cash I would have to buy me a Snobear instead. :-)