Six years later he sold the mass production business known as Alumaweld and signed a non-competition contract. At the expiration of the contract he was ready to begin again, but with a focus on customization. Seven or eight variations and a year later, the Willie Boat was born. When I talked to Willie yesterday he told me that the boat is an ever-evolving concept. He has spent hours on the water testing out new ideas and keeps an ear open to any feedback he gets from guides that own his boats.
Dynamics are the key.
All boats may float, but it's the handling that makes the difference. The Willie Boat rides higher in the water and is easier to handle due to its sharper rake, upswept bottom fore and aft, its flair, and the wider slant of its sides. A slight perpendicular curve in the point of the bow and fine tuning of the bottom means while plunging through rapids, the water rolls away and less water flies into the boat. Willie Boats incorporate the basic design concepts with the customizing of accessories for each client. Each boat is manufactured to the customer's specifications and needs.