Kansas Driftboat takes 1st Float

What a long winter! My drift boat was finished in late Nov.2009. Weather and health delayed launch until last Sunday of March.  Computer down also for a month so was missing the site too. Almost 2 years ago I started the build, May 2008.  Still having issues with time and access to the Arkansas river around Wichita ,but weather getting better and my wife thought would be best to put in at a small lake to christen and test.  Went well, though the wind was around 20 mph, we took turns rowing for a couple of hours. Am out of shape and want moving water, not wind moving water! My oars are some what heavy  and perhaps 6" too long. Started with 10 footers, as one of you said, can be cut  to what feels better later. Seems to maneuver very well. I just don't know what I am doing.  My wife is wise suggesting the lake first.  Had to christen with water for now  no alcohol allowed at the dock. Want to thank everyone  for their suggestions, comments  and  encouragement  from the site. Wish the pictures were more scenic but we finally made water. No leaks and acquired a few scratches reloading. Thanks Steve   (Pictures got placed in wifes colorado trip computer file)

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Permalink Reply by Paul Smith on April 3, 2010 at 8:28pm
Congratulations, Great looking boat. I am 100 miles east of you and can come over and spell you off the oars a while.
Paul Humboldt,KS
Permalink Reply by Kelly Neu on April 3, 2010 at 9:40pm
Gorgeous! Congratulations on some fine work.
Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on April 4, 2010 at 8:37am
Yeh!! Way to go Steve. Great looking boat - particularly like what you did with the two-toned "dash-board". I'm sure the wind was a challenge - makes rowing a driftboat very tedious.
Good job.
GH
Permalink Reply by mitchell on April 4, 2010 at 8:46am
very very pretty. Congratulations.
Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on April 4, 2010 at 9:01am
Good job Steve. I have folowed your progress and am glad to see your boat hit the water! And be hit with water for the christening!

Rick Newman
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on April 4, 2010 at 7:08pm
Very nice. Its always a memorable moment to get the first boat on the water.

daveZ
Permalink Reply by Scott Hepler on April 5, 2010 at 9:39am
Congratulations Steve, Your boat looks great. I know what you mean about it has been a long winter. I am in KC and couldn't work on my boat for 2 month, I just couldn't keep the garage warm without breaking the bank.
Maybe us midwesterner wooden boat people can meet up on a river sometime. The white below Bull Shoals would be an easy place.
Scott
Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on April 5, 2010 at 10:36am
I would like that. thanks again for congrats from all of you. Steve
Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on April 5, 2010 at 11:17am
Nice work Steve. You have created a beauty that will last a lifetime. Your oars are only heavy because a 10'er is probably a foot too long. We are happy with 9'ers on our 17'x54"ers and some even like 8 1/2's for this size boat. A balanced oar won't feel heavy. Start trimming back til you find the balance point that works for you. Try different sizes if you can and you will be amazed when everything fits just right. Jackson Hole is not so far away. Our show and rowing clinic will be on Memorial Day weekend. We'd love to see you there. We have lot's of oars for you to try out.

AJ
Permalink Reply by Steve Sobba on April 6, 2010 at 5:10pm
Thanks for the invite, will see what schedule is thanks for the advise on the oars also
Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on April 7, 2010 at 4:19am
Sweet job Steve! makes it all worth it one you see it float.
Permalink Reply by Jesse Ronnow on April 11, 2010 at 7:30am
Steve,

Great looking boat. I echo some of the statements below about your first boat on the water. You should drag that beauty out west for one of the Wood Boat Shows.

JDR

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