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Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on December 16, 2010 at 4:12pm

There are two or three theories about the boat's moniker. One is that it is named after Bob Feller, who reportedly fished the McKenzie a couple of times. Naming a boat after someone of fame wouldn't be a first. The McKenzie 16' double-ender has been called the Herbert Hoover DE. Another theory, and one postulated by a member of the forum, was that Kaarhus called the boat a rapid robber, and the author of the article from whence the name came misunderstood Tom, and called the boat the Rapid Robert. A more logical explanantion has to do with the tendency of the editor of Science and Mechanics (1952) to place catchy names on building projects feartured in their projects publications. This latter theory makes the most sense to me. It's odd that the name was unfamiliar to those on the McKenzie but well known to boaters outside the area. 

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Permalink Reply by Mike Baker on December 16, 2010 at 7:21pm

Thanx Roger,

I was hoping you would have some insight.

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on December 16, 2010 at 8:13pm

What's a Rapid Robert?  heh,

 

Hey Roger.  Didn't Tom Kaarhus name that boat a John West in his catalog?   I like to believe that story because I live in John's old house.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on December 16, 2010 at 8:51pm

Yes Randy... Kaarhus attributed his boat type to West and named one of them so in his catalogue. The boat is appropriately known as the West type boat, and may be one the reasons the more mature (note that I didn't say, older) McKenzie guides especially are confused about the "Rapid Robert." Talk to Dave Helfrich or Roy Pruitt and they'll tell you they never heard of the boat as the Rapid Robert until recently. That name was attributed to the boat by the author (or the editor) of a 1952 publication, Project #33, a Science and Mechanics piece that featured the "Mackenzie (sic) River Drift Boat." It was an excellent article and led the wannabe drift boat builder through the steps of building one. The piece was published for their national audience, and generally everywhere but the McKenzie the boat has since been known as the Rapid Robert. Rick Fennel will probably tell you that he has known the boat as the Rapid Robert for years on the Netsucca, and Ray Heater growing up in that same vicinity will also attest to the boat's name and function in that part of the world. But it is indeed the West boat type as built by Kaarhus, and is considered by many as the "original McKenzie River drift boat," a notion is subscribe to. However, there is a slight difference between the Rapid Robert and the original West boat -- the transom is slightly more vertical to better accommodate a small motor, a dual purpose feature Tom added. So you and the house are safe! Whew! And thanks for raising the question.

 

p.s. If you've got my book handy re-visit chapter 16 (pp 222 - 224) and my treatment of the boat.

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