Newcomers first question

I am new to the forum! I picked up my first wood boat about 2 weeks ago. It is a 16' wood & glass Drift Boat. To say it is a project is being kind. But then again, it only cost me $45.

It had been "stored" outside for 2 years, uncovered, face up, in some blackberry bushes. First thing I did(after clearing the brush & critters) was strip out the rot, which ended up being everything but the hull. 

Now I need to turn her over and glass the bottom.

Which brings me to my first question. What kind of stands do you use or recommend. I designed a 2x4 stand on casters that I am about to build. But before I go make my own mistakes, I thought I might try and learn what some other folks have learned before me. Not that this information will keep me from making mistakes, but ya know, maybe not as many!

Thanks!!!!!!!

Chris

Renton, WA

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on July 1, 2012 at 3:52pm

Chris, I have to agree with AJ. I can visit with you in person and give you some rebuild ideas, tips, hints and encouragement.

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on July 8, 2012 at 5:54pm

  I really like the lines of that boat.  I wasn't aware of the significantly more flare in the Rogue River boats...at least as shown by the pics of this one.  Also, there are actually gunwhale blocks here, not just the frame heads.  It looks like this RR the frames are 'slighter' up at the gunwhales,  giving it a much more pleasant look, to my eye.  Many river dories look a bit 'simplified' or slightly crude in the shapes of the parts, chosen by their builders.

   Don't get me wrong, the overall shape of river dories, they are almost all beautiful....but some were obviously 'designed' by people more familar with 'ranch-style' carpentry.  In many of the boats I see, just a few more hours spent on 'shaping' some part or tweaking a line here and there, that would have made the boat look much more "right".   


  One of the first things I learned when apprenticing was "Use your Eye!"...and the most often supplied answer I got from my Master was...."If it looks right, it is right" when asking about shapes, scantlings, lofting, etc.

  Don Hanson

Permalink Reply by Chris Dinsmore on July 9, 2012 at 5:11pm

Thanks for the insight Don. I really feel like I lucked out with this boat. I really prefer the lines over just about any other "drift" boat I have come across. If I were to of designed & built one without seeing her, I think it would have some real similarities. 

I agree that there is a general lack of creative thought in the designing of small wooden river boats. They seem to be crude and rather sparsely outfitted. My first thought when I picked up this boat was to deck it out as much as possible and top it with bright work. I have found that storage & work surfaces are an often under rated amenity.  But I have seen some great examples of how well equipped a drift boat can be.

 

Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on July 9, 2012 at 6:28pm

  Small boats are always a compromise.   One of the fun things about them is making them 'your own' by including features you think you need or want, but every  amenity you include in your own build has a downside, too. 

It makes a dory less versatile when you add fixed and permanent bulkheads, boxes, coolers, fishing chairs, rod storage, anchor systems, etc.  For those who know exactly what features they want and need in their own boat..the added amenities, done properly, are great.  I'd advise a first time owner, if he is going to use the boat, to go 'simple' at first...or to copy a boat he knows has worked well for others who have used their boats for a while.

  Also, if you can, take a few minutes and look at every piece you put into the boat...Dry fit things and see if they fit properly and if they look as good as possible.  Will a little taper make that gunwhale look more fair?  Is that a 'hard spot' I see in that curve?  What if I pull the sheer down just a little aft?  forward?  Midships?   You'll be amazed at how much the eye can see, even if you've never seen a sheerline...when one is awkward, you WILL see that in a heartbeat.  Trust your eye over your tape measure...

   

Permalink Reply by Chris Dinsmore on July 9, 2012 at 7:24pm

My obsession with turning bowls taught me to use my senses when shaping. When I started turning bowls they were very exacting in measure and the result was less than pleasing. When I began to feel and listen to the wood the results were amazing. I began to believe that each block of wood has a different bowl inside it. The grain and imperfections became the guide as I began to work with the wood, instead of against it. 

I am starting woodworking school this fall, and will enroll in the boat building program once I complete the cabinet making requirements. I have so much to learn over the next several years, and it is so exciting! My design abilities are so far beyond my skills it will be amazing if I ever get to build some of the designs I have in my head & in my sketchup folder. I have such a wonderful opportunity ahead of me. It is a blessing to be able to go to school with a goal I have determined. Unlike my first college experience, I am not preparing to work for someone else. I am learning with my own goals in mind. I want to be able to build high quality boats & furniture that I have designed. I can take my time and do things the right way, with high quality materials and no corners cut. My goal is to be a true craftsman. 

I live every day with a great deal of physical pain. Avascular Necrosis has taken my hips, and Psoriatic Arthritis is taking it's toll on my joints, most days I wake up unable to make a fist. Woodworking doesn't exactly help my pain. But it beats the shit out of the 20 years I spent in corporate sales! 

I really like how Cajune has designed his interiors, especially the Kingfisher At the very least I want to put in side compartments and decking. Seating is a whole other matter. I think that needs to be modular so it can be easily adjusted to accommodate varying numbers of occupants & uses. Just got to figure out a way to do what Hyde has done, without the ugly.

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on July 10, 2012 at 5:43pm

Chris, I look forward to the day when I can see "Dinsmore Design" or "Dinsmore Boat Works" on a variety of items and boats. The conversations we have had lead me to believe that you will succeed. I am headed out to the garage tomorrow to get back to work on my boat. Pneumonia and a bad reaction to an antibiotic aren't going to stop me. The heat over here in Spokane 93+ degrees might slow me down, just means I have to start earlier!

I have an offer for you and your boys. You have suggested that they are expressing a desire to learn more about boats. Would they like to row one? I propose to complete my build within three weeks. I have a couple of guide trips to do in the next couple of weeks, hopefully more after that.Anyway, I enjoy floating and fishing the Yakima River. I want to float and fish the Yakima a few times over the summer. I would love to meet you guys, everybody take a chance to row the boat and also take turns fishing. It would be a pleasure to share the river with you and your boys. I am not asking for money I am asking that you consider the offer and see if we could pull it off some time. I will also be bringing the boat to the Seattle Tacoma area perhaps closer to home would be better for you.

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Chris Dinsmore on July 10, 2012 at 11:24pm

That would be fun Rick, shoot me an e-mail. I can't find your e-mail address.

Permalink Reply by stephen ludwig on July 10, 2012 at 5:10pm

What a great project! Good luck with the restoration. Great lines and a cool piece of history. I will give you $50 for it as is.

Steve Ludwig

Lancaster, Pa

Permalink Reply by Dave Z on July 11, 2012 at 3:34am

Steve, I offered $60.  bidding war begins.

Chris,

I suggest the "AJ School of boat restoration" for this project.  Keep it clean and restore it to somewhat original.  Trust me, this wont be your last boat project!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice find

DaveZ

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