17-foot McKenzie drift boat

by Art Page

Oct 21

I'm deep into building my McKenzie drift boat using the Don Hill 17' Flyfisher plans from driftboatplans.com. The previously documented builds here have been a tremendous help, answering many of my initial questions. I'll certainly have many more questions as I progress, and hopefully the community can continue to guide me in the right direction.

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    Bennett Yarbrough

    Those oars look great! 

    1

    Nov 5

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      Art Page

      I haven't been able to work much on the boat, but I was able to complete the anchor arm and apply 3 coats of varnish....

      2

      Nov 9

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        Art Page

        It's been awhile since the last post.  Turns out I developed tennis elbow in my dominate arm so I've been babying it and not working much on the boat.  My kid came over and we did manage to complete the final assembly of the hull (sides, frames, transom, bow). 

        Next step was to steam the 15ft chine logs without affecting the scarf joint in the middle.  I ended up using gutter down spouts with a tea kettle at one end and a camp stove at the other.  After insulating the downspouts with towels, steam started to exit the middle about 15 minutes after the water came to boil.  Surprisingly it worked out quite well!  Photos show the chine logs clamped to the outside of the hull for forming.  After a couple of days of drying I'll cut and install into the chine notches.

        Dec 7