Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

MRB beavertial and design suggestions

I am in the pondering stage of building a drift boat, gathering info and trying to decide what I actually want. Yes I ordered Roger Fletchers book but have yet to read it(I work away from home a month at a time and the book didn't arrive before I left, so its either patiently sitting on my carport or in a million pieces scattered about the yard another victim to marauding critters who tend to claim any boots, gloves, and even a flybox left out) Main use will be for fishing, caster in front and back, would like shallow draft, and it will see some whitewater, probably fairly easy stuff, don't think I could stand risking a wooden boat after all the work put into it, don't know how you all do it, have 2 wooden boats and it pains me every time I scuff one. And light weight would be nice since a lot of the places we fish don't exactly have drive up service. Have been visiting a few internet sites for ideas and such, and so far am leaning toward Sandy's beavertial design even though I think I would prefer a wider bottom, have any of you built or rowed the beavertial? If so whats your opinion of this design? Would prefer to go with a design that has plans of some type available since I'm fairly new to this wooden boat building, have built 2 but not a drift boat. Have a fishing buddy who owns a raft with row rig we fish out of, and not to offend any rafters but the thing is a slug to row, want something easier to manuever and row than a raft, am open to either stitch and glue or framed, love the look of a framed boat, but also see that S&G has merits too. Would like to hear any suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by ROBERT BITTNER on December 7, 2012 at 5:56am

Robert,

from your photos it appears you are a fellow WVian. Which rivers are you planning to float? I have two different dorys and regularly float the North Branch and sections of the South Branch as well as the Upper potomac. Have also floated the Greenbrier around Lewisburg. Hope to add the Cheat this coming season , esp since the new Cheat River Water Trail group is willing to accomadate trailered river boats in their new access areas.

The nature of the rivers you intend to run will affect the choices of beam , length and side ht. Additionally a drift pram or skiff design might be more suitable if you are looking to smallie streams rather than WW.

bob bittner

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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on December 7, 2012 at 8:08am

I'm in SW PA.

I float the NB too. Most of the rockered boats will suit your WW and fishing needs. My 16x48 excels on the limited amount of WW we have in WPA and does just fine on flat sections of the rivers I fish. It' ok with a caster in the back, but that proposition always has its disadvantages (hooks in ears of the rower!).

You probably need to get over your pains of getting a scuff on a wooden boat. Perhaps if this is that big of an issue get a glass or aluminum model. A well taken care of boat with scuffs, scratches and a weathered look is something to behold in my opinion. Those scars are memories... I have a pretty roughed up ding on my 16x48, it is often talked about on the river. It is a reminder of that day where we boated 21 fish over 20 inches on dry flies.

For two fishers and a rower, you need at leat a 16 but probably a bigger, wider model. This is not going to be a lightweight boat to drag through the woods, althoughit has been done.

The beavertail design is a great design and would be my first choice in a S&G boat. (I've only done framed construction (6 times)). I don't remembers what Sandy says the finished weight is, but remember glass and goo will add some poundage.

I guess I would hurry home and read the best resource on the subject (The book sitting in your yard) and understand the advantages and disadvantages all the factors- weight/rocker/beam/double ender or square ender, etc....and then decide what factors are important to you, bring the scope in from there.

And be advised, once you get this sickness, you can't stop and you will end up with a shop full of boat wood "for that next project", have clothes with 5200 and epoxy permanently stuck to them, and a wife that will periodically open the garage to to the house and peek in to see what the hell you are doing. (Or if you are lucky, to see if you need another beer).

I have some ideas that a large WW capable squared off boat woulld work on the WV rivers. Like a 17' boat with some rocker, 52-54" bottom and the front chopped off. Oversized pram with a large payload, limited wasted space (the squared ends). Think "River Plow"

There is a picture of one such boat that is on this forum somewhere....search out drift pram or river pram, or something.... I stole some ideas off of those pictures when I designed my drift pram (notably the seat riser and side pocket arrangement).

Good luck. If you want to see a 16x48 or a drift pram, im not terrbly far from you.

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Permalink Reply by Robert H Buck II on December 7, 2012 at 10:14pm

Mostly will be used on the New and gualey rivers, will want WW capability, have a good bit of whitewater experience in kayaks so I'm sure once I'm confident in the boat and rowing skills fishing trips down the new river gorge will be a must ( Once caught a 5lb smallie sitting in an eddy right below lower keeney with a breakdown spinning rod that would fit in my kayak) don't have a lot of rowing experience so it may take awhile to work up to the gorge. Dave, already know about epoxy chunks from my 2 previous builds, gotta be careful when cleaning my glasses while wearing my old shirts. Know of any marine plywood suppliers in the area? My daughter lives in Virginia beach and yukon lumber there has some, thats the closest I've found, thats 6 hrs from me, hoping to find something closer.

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Permalink Reply by ROBERT BITTNER on December 8, 2012 at 7:59am

Robert,

I own a cabt/millwork shop here in Sugar Grove WV. My plywood suppliers ; Atlantic Plywood in Richmond and Wurth Wood Group in Richmond & Roanoke both carry marine ply.