Willy’s Slo-Poke 15
Willy Classic Boats recently unveiled the newest edition to itsline of custom skiffs and the rebirth of an old classic -the15-foot Slo-Poke. This model gives the company three boats in itscustom flats fishing skiffs line. The original version of the15-foot Slo-Poke was the result of a combined effort between WillyRoberts and Fred Archibald, and its classic lines strongly revealits skinny-water heritage. The plugs for this hull were initiallysent to Archibald in Tampa in the early 1980s, where the boat wasofficially named the Slo-Poke when construction began, but only 10were ever built. Most of the original owners still use these hullsand consider them prized possessions.
It was such an efficient design that Willy’s decided to updatethe Slo-Poke and make it available as a custom skiff. While the newSlo-Poke uses the original molds and plugs, the redesign includesnew material and construction techniques, including Kevlar andfoam-core materials in a vacuum-bag process to keep the hull weightdown to 350 pounds. A natural feature of the hull design and amajor reason for the original model’s popularity is that itproduces virtually no hull slap when poled, and it yields anextremely shallow draft, made even shallower through the use ofthese modern materials and methods. Of course, it features thetraditional Willy’s raised bow for a great ride. While owners ofthe original version say they can pole the boat in 5 inches ofwater fully loaded, the new model is considerably lighter andshould easily pole in less.
Standard features include stainless-steel deck hardware, apoling platform, a plumbed baitwell, a built-in cooler, an18-gallon fuel tank, Lenco polished trim tabs, rod tubes and an aftdry storage locker. As with all Willy Classic Boat models, manycustom features are available, and each hull is custom-built forits owner. Among the options are teak toe rails, a ladder-backchair, teak decks, a Bimini top and the trademark Willy teakconsole.
Specifications
LOA: 15′
BEAM: 5’9″
DRAFT: 4″
WEIGHT: 350 pounds
FUEL: 18 gallons
POWER: 50-hp
PRICE: $15,500 (w/o engine)
Willy Classic Boat Works
954-764-3200
www.willyclassicboats.com
