Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

First build

Hi everyone, I'm just getting started. I've gathered all the tools, read Fletcher's book about 6 times (so great), and read quite a lot of these posts (also great). I've decided to build a 17x54. Went to the lumber dealer in town, and decided i'm definitely going to use the Hydrotek BS 1088 6mm for sides, and 12mm for floor. I'm going to use Mahogany for the Stem. I'm planning to use Port Orford Cedar for the frames, and was thinking i'd match that with White Oak for the rails/chines. I hope to have the boat for the rest of my life, and while i want it to be the most beautiful boat ever built, I truly want to use materials that will last and be effective. So, first question... Instead of White Oak, anyone ever use Port Orford for rails? It seems like the color would be similar to White Oak, but i wonder about durability as a rail. appreciate any insight you might have.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Baker on March 28, 2022 at 7:07am

Or it's probably getting in at that fastener. Pull it, bore a larger hole, seal that with lifecaulk and a dowel.

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Permalink Reply by Dusty on March 28, 2022 at 8:39am

Thanks Shawn

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Permalink Reply by David Witton on March 28, 2022 at 8:00am

If you decide to remove the rub strip, you'll find it fairly easy to mark the center of the nail head with a centerpunch and drill off the head - that way the rub strip will come off fairly undamaged.

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Permalink Reply by Dusty on March 28, 2022 at 8:42am

that's a good tip with the centerpunch, thanks David.

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Permalink Reply by Dusty on March 29, 2022 at 7:35am

Drilled off the nail heads which was easier than I expected it to be. I also was able to remove the shanks using some pliers and carefully twisting/pulling. There was definitely water trapped behind the rub strip, but the good news is that none was getting into the hull. It just made its way into the rub strip, which I may be able to sand out the discoloration and re-install with screws and 5200 or something similar to solve the problem. I'm glad it wasn't worse.

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Permalink Reply by Dusty on August 11, 2022 at 3:06pm

I haven't been around here for a while. Since I finished the boat I can't keep myself off the river. Here's a couple pics of it that I haven't shared yet. My mother in law made the boat cover, which was fun to plan out. She did the whole thing on a small regular sewing machine. It was a gritty performance by her.

The boat is amazing, I love it more and more each time i take it out. Thanks so much for all the support during the build.

It'll be interesting to see how long before I start another one.