First Build Advice

Been reading through the forum for a couple of weeks now, and I must say how impressed I am with the level of expertise found here and the willingness of people to share tips and offer advice.  I recently got the bug to build my first wooden boat...I'm leaning towards a 16' Don Hill, though I do have Fletcher's book on the way and may find other inspiration in those pages.  I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to woodworking, though I do have people nearby who can provide some guidance.  I guess the big questions I have are:  1) Is a 16' Don Hill a good choice for a first build?  2) How much space will I need to dedicate in my garage to this?  3) Living in southern New Mexico, marine rated lumber will surely be difficult to come across locally, do you recommend any specific suppliers?  4) What general advice would you offer?  5) Can you recommend other sites similar to this one where I can learn more and network with other builders?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Brian Grenier

Santa Teresa, NM

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Permalink Reply by Richard Sutherland on October 17, 2016 at 2:39pm

Don Hill is a great design. I am restoring (salvaging) a Don Hill 14'. You might think of finding a boat to rebuild/restore for your first effort since you are new to woodworking and wooden boats. In any event, good luck. This is the best place to get advice. Pictures are always appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Grenier on October 25, 2016 at 7:08am

Thanks for the encouragement Richard.  I'm looking forward to keeping up with your restore, keep the pics coming...I promise to do the same.

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on October 17, 2016 at 3:42pm

Where and how are you going to fish? I ask this question because most of the Oregon, McKenzie style drift boats were designed for a guide to row two "sports" down river lowering plugs into the face of fish. The picture that I had and many of the folks that indulge in this wonderful activity is of two fishermen, one at each end of the boat casting their flies in wonderful arcs to the river's bank. What a surprise to put your large buddy in the rear of the boat in the seat you had to build your self because your kit boat didn't come with a rear seat and find out your boat now handles like a dump truck full of rock. Last week with one person upfront it was a Corvette, went where you wanted it, when you wanted it to and you could keep your buddy 18 feet off the bank all day long.

Given the wider shape at the front and the narrower rear, pure McKenzie style boats will replicate this behavior. So some consideration of how you plan to fish; two casters one each front and rear, two casters, both riding up front between holes or runs can mean care in selecting the boat you choose can result in a greater happiness when floating. Unfortunately all boats are a compromise and each designers approach provides obviously different results.

So, you might want to look at, perhaps actually measure the width of the boat(s) at similar points on the hulls you are comparing to see where loads were meant to be carried. A narrow stern and wide bow equals weight up front. Conversely a wide stern and a a comparitively narrower bow section spreads the weight bearing more equally. It might be helpful to ask the designer what they had in mind for the boat. Unfortunately it is not possible to talk to Don Hill so measurements will have to suffice. Mike Baker, at last report was live and well and can succinctly describe his boats design features.

In many wooden drift boats you can move the rowers seat forwards and back to accomodate and trim the boat to achieve better handling. If you only carry a second fisherman a very small percentage of the time in the stern section of your boat a moveable seat can improve the situation.

There is more to selecting a boat than these considerations but how your boat handles and how and where you plan to fish it is one of the most important to consider.

Hope this helps.

Rick N

Permalink Reply by Brian Grenier on October 25, 2016 at 6:58am

Thanks for the advice Rick. Most of the fishing I would do would be on the San Juan River, just below Navajo Dam.  No whitewater to speak of, and I would more than likely be fishing, me and one (maybe two) buddies.  Though most of my fishing will occur on the Juan, I certainly expect that once the boat is built, I will be exploring other waters across the west, including a trip back to the Green River. I've been reading and looking at the plans in Fletcher's book over the past week, and am now leaning more towards the 16' Double-Ender w/ a Transom. 

Permalink Reply by John Squire on October 26, 2016 at 12:28pm

When I first got my boat I took it below Nav. Dam to see how it handles. I live in Durango and am working on decking it  and reinforcing the hull ...if you would like to check it out

Permalink Reply by Brian Grenier on October 27, 2016 at 2:43pm

Do you think 16' too big for the San Juan?

Permalink Reply by John Squire on October 27, 2016 at 5:18pm

Mine is called a 16 ft. but that's measured along the gunnels... because they used to had 16ft long plywood sheets at one time. Now u need to scarf 2 pieces which take up 4 inches.

So when I measure my "16ft.X 48 boat" it is really

15 ft.8" along the gunnells

14ft 8 " Bow to Stern

I think it is a great size for the San Juan

My friend has a Briggs style Dory and it measures 16 ft bow to stern and18 ft along the gunnels and 54-58 inches wide..... I believe that would be called an 18 footer.

So the term 16 ft  boat can be deceiving

Permalink Reply by John Squire on October 26, 2016 at 12:46pm

My boat was designed as a drift boat and had an adjustable front passenger seat to get the trim balanced on the water. I also feel that the oar locks are located off center   of the boat towards the stern .... I am at the point now to put the boat in the water empty and see where the boat finds its level , mark it and adjust my oarlock positions, boatmen's seat and fine tune the trim with gear when on a trip...

Permalink Reply by Kurt Selisch on October 17, 2016 at 5:22pm

Hi Brian, good questions regarding your first build. With not having much woodworking experience, you might consider a kit. Mike Baker who is a member on this site will be a good resource for a kit boat. Basically all of the hard woodworking pieces are done for you, but you assemble the boat(which is no small task), along with sanding and finishing . You will find a lot of pride and satisfaction building a boat from a kit. Plus no worries about finding hardware and marine grade lumber in your area, as the kit will include it.

As for how much room you will need? I built my first kit boat in a single car garage.

If you do decide to build from scratch, the web is a great resource for finding material. Just do a search for marine plywood. MacBeath's in Salt Lake City carries Okoume which is a marine grade mahogany plywood but is more expensive than Meranti. Hydrotek Meranti seems to be the most used as it is reasonably price but still has the highest rating available for marine plywood. You might find a supplier closer. I live in Idaho and have to special order marine ply, pay the shipping and crating etc. Brad Dimock, also a member of this site builds dories in Flagstaff, he might be able to help with lumber suppliers in the Southwest region. If you do build from scratch, kiss your garage goodbye as you will use most  for the project.

Permalink Reply by Brian Grenier on October 25, 2016 at 7:01am

Thanks for the advice.  I considered a kit originally, but there is something that is driving me to build from scatch.  I've already let my wife know that the garage may be out of commission for awhile.  I'll look Brad up, my son is a hockey player, and we have a couple of games in Flagstaff this year.  

Permalink Reply by Bennett Yarbrough on October 18, 2016 at 7:29am

Brian, I was where you are not very long ago.  I ended up ordering plans from Mike Baker for a 17 54 as that seemed to be the best hull for my fishing.  I think a kit would have expedited the process greatly but I have learned a lot so far building all the structural pieces.  Before this project I have used a table saw, circular saw, miter saw for basic construction projects but never had to cut a bevel or get something accurate to a few thousandths.  It may seem overwhelming when you first start but the best advice I read about building a boat is from a guy building a flats boat over on Microskiff.com  He said, "Even if you know you cant work on it for hours each day, try and devote 15 min to the project at least, per day. Even if it is just sweeping up the shop and putting tools away"  This advice rang true for me because it keeps you focused on the end goal. 

As far as plywood goes I went through a local marine supply dealer and it turns out I just paid them to order for me through world panel.  After I took delivery of my ply I checked world panel and it would have saved me all of 3 dollars on my 560 dollar order if I had gone directly to them.  This is with shipping included.  But hey, its a local business so it doesnt bother me

Good Luck!

Permalink Reply by Brian Grenier on October 25, 2016 at 7:03am

Thanks for the advice and encouragement Bennett. I'm looking forward to getting started on this project, still a couple months out.  I will definitely try to keep true to your "15-minute per day" advice.

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