Hello Wooden Boat people-

I am new to this forum, although I have owned a Don Hill 18, FlyFisherman boat for 10 years.  When I got the boat it had just been refinished and looked fantastic,  after countless River trips and an unfortunate encounter with a 500lb ice block falling from 30 feet up, it is time for some loving. 

I removed all of the interior parts and pieces as well as the rub strake and the plastic bottom-all was looking good as I started to remove the epoxy from both the interior and exterior.  Then I started to remove th glass from the chines and was not pleased to find that the side panel has rotted out directly above the chines.

I think  that I am now in over my head.  I am thinking about replacing the sides but it appears that the marine grade panels only come in 8' panels and I do not know how to seamlessly join them as the surface is 17'9" long. 

Any suggestions or recomendations of people in Colorado who could help me out with the woodworking side would be appreciated.

Thanks-

Chris Cremer