Welcome Rick - hope you enjoy all the wood boat discussion!

Hey Rick - did you just purchase a Tatman kit by chance? I noticed your other post mentioning that you were starting one...

Yeah I think you will enjoy building one from the kit. The no surprise aspect of the kit makes it well worth it, and when you are done, you will have a brand new boat! I think the fish eggs are salmon eggs... I found the image during a goggle search...

My total budget is 450 bucks. I'm using 2x4 of fir that I ripped for the frames and regular 3/8 plywood. My only financial splurg will be sealing the bottom and end grains with epoxy. I will keep an eye out here in New Hampshire for plastic sheets I can "recycle". Thannks for the offer.

Den

Gracias Rick!
I live in Buenos Aires, too far away from the rivers I love... Even though, I manage to go to Patagonia whenever I can...
You are very lucky to have the chance to mix work and fishing!

Thanks for your help Rick. I think you are right-on with the reclining backrest option. I might employ that on the rower's seat, where I'll be spending most of my time. I can see a napping opportunity there!

Thanks again jb

Bringing the boat down for the Festival and Float on the 25th?? Hope so - should be fun. I'll buy you a cup of coffee at the Finn Rock put in....
GH

Fair enough - hope it works out. Really like your custom profile.
GH

Holy Caddis Hatch!!!! Where was that at??

Hey Rick,
I chatted with him last night. He came by to see my progress. I likes the idea of a wood boat but an aluminum boat would suit him better. He lacks garage space to keep a boat. Oh well, I gave it a shot!
I thought I had a big project. How will you scarf those pieces in. Take lots of pictures Im very curious as to how you progress!

I meant to say 'He' likes the idea of a wood boat but an aluminum boat would suit him better.

Rick, you may remember Ralph Crenshaw in Junction City? I had a Crenshaw boat but was too young to truly enjoy the quality of his boat. I did own it for about 15 years and used it and used it and used it. Only damaged it once on the falls on the North Umpqua. Slapped the side of one of the shutes on the left side of the river with my bottom and put a small 6 inch hole in the bottom front right side but good ole Ralph repaired it for me almost like new.

Hi Rick, thank you so much for such a wonderful welcome. Will try to post a photo or two of the boat I am building. It's called the GEM, and is a full sixed replica of Moulty Fulmers GEM he built in Muncie Indiana in 1953-54. Yours, Tom

Hi Rick, thanks again for your note. Got some photos posted. So i'm curious, where did you look up the GEM story? Could you please point me in that direction? Thanks so much, yours, tom

Ok, got that one. Just checking to see what's out there on the web about this boat. Thanks for the link, yours, tom

Rick,
Yeah it was me on the Montana river boat site. The wood looks good around the chines with exception of a couple spots. The adhesive between the chine and the bottom/sides is what I think needs to be replaced. I'm a little nervous to take the chine off, I don't want to break it and some of the screws are likely rusted.

Hi Rick, thanks for your note.

Fulmer had 4X16 sheets of marine grade plywood. He but joined them over the 16 foot long oak keelson. He used no glue, but he caulked all the joints. So Fulmer has a typical for the time double ender with a transom, then he adds the Nevills design "armor plating".

I used a pine keelson, and did not scarf joint the floor panels as there is a bulkhead 2x2 to attach to, and then I will glass the entire bottom (6oz). Then comes the oak armor plating, making an otherwise delicate double-ender into a workhorse of a boat.

Yes, I would have done better to scarf the floor, but because there's another 3/8th worth of oak to lay down, I made the decision not to.

Hope that's ok? We shall see....yours, tom

Hi Rick, Thanks for your comments, i really appreciate them! Please DO question the construction technique. Maybe i should have scarfed the floow??? I really don't know. Time will tell.

So what other site did you see the Band saw in?

Thanks again, yours, tom

Montana Boatbuilders · Rivers Touch · AJ's Woodboattours and Ray's River Dories . Montana River Boats
Boat Building Forum

http://montana-riverboats.com/boat-building.php?forum=2009&mode=show_msg&msg=1382&start=0

As I looked at the bottom it looked pretty rough. I turned it over and found that some one had placed a 1/4 piece of plywood over the bottom, then the plastic cover. When I removed this matterial I found the bottom to be salvageable.

I have been removing layers of old paint. I have one side about half done. The are few nicks, dents and gouges, is there a paintable wood filler to smooth the surface with that will work?

There is a large fishing outfitter here. The maintain and rebuild thier boats, so I stopped by and got some good ideas.

He strongly recommend that I keep the boat as close to original as possible, rope seat and all.

Thanks much
Dale

Thanks for the reply. I live in Lewiston, Idaho. I know I will spend a lot of time on the Clearwater River and the Snake River since both run through Lewiston. I will also be on the St. Joe River. I am a former Kayaker and had a Jet Boat. I have been up the Snake River just above the Imnaha several times. I have a call into Tatman's to talk about the bottom kits they sell. I want to put another 1/4 inch of plywood on the bottom. I have to replace the Chine so I thought I would put on the plywood then set the chine even with the new plywood.
Thanks Much for the information.

Hello Rick,

Huntsville is in central East Texas, about 32000 population.

Not planning a drift boat,,, but rather a boat that will be a conglomeration of the Lumber Yard Skiff, the Sweet Caroline and my own adaptations. I live near the Trinity river, which feeds lake Houston.
It is mostly full catfish, gar and a few carp. I'm interested in the cats.

There aren't many wooden boats in Texas,,, and very few home builders. I'm just always looking for a 'boat buddy' !!
Thanks for your reply and inquiry...

The drift boats are fascinating craft for sure.

wayne

Rick,
The McKenzie River drift boat that I am restoring did have the sacrificial bottom and the plastic (skid plate). I got the boat from Yakima and do not know where it was used. It was fastened well around the sides and nailed across the bottom. Which brings up a question. I had to replace one side frame and one bottom frame and noticed they were joined together with nails to the bottom and side. Being new to drift boats is there a reason they are nailed and not screwed together?

My plan is to use epoxy to fill areas that are not smooth much like you would with a wood filler. I will roll on a coat of epoxy on the outside of the hull and bottom. Then I will use a marine paint on the outer sides. I am going to bond a full layer of 1/4 inch marine plywood to the bottom to help strengthen it. I will roll the same epoxy on this new bottom and then fiberglass from above the chine over the bottom. I have been talking with a guy that refinishes wooden boats and he strongly recommends the plastic layer to protect the bottom rather than using graffite. Here on the Clearwater and Snake Rivers the free stone bottoms will be a big issue. I am unsure about adding yet another layer as a sacrifical bottom. I am quite a ways from dealing with the bottom so I am seeking all the input I can recieve. I am looking forward to learning about the nail verse screws use of connecting sides and bottoms to the frames. I saw a newer McKenzie River drift boat, it's interior was spotless and the outside looked as if it had never been in the water. What a beautiful boat, Thanks again for your interest and information.

The boat has brass nails, I am thinking of adding some stainless steel screws and leave the nails in. The shoe had nails that have the twisted shank. They were about 1 inch. I am not familiar with the term "fair". The shoe had a clear looking material, it didn't look like fiberglass. I have to replace the chine, so I took the old one off and have applied epoxy along the area where the sides and bottom meet.

I have only done a bit of fiberglassing so I am still learning about clothe weight. After adding the 1/4 inch onto the bottom I am going to put on the new chine. Again, I am having some difficulty finding the best material. The newer McKenzie boat I looked at had a nice full-length of 1 1/2 hard nylon material on the chine. Any good recommendations? I am thinking of adding a transom seat/storage area. I see the new boats come with one, Tatmans also sell them. If I add one I will probably build it myself.

Is it bad when you get use to the smell of the stripper?

My intent is to fiberglass the the side and bottom area, then the bottom prior to attatching the chine. I am seeking information on the best way to seal this thing up so I do appreciate your opinion. What procedure would you recommend? As I said I am still refinishing the inside and doing the bottom will be a while. Thanks Again

MY boat has 90 degree corners. If fiberglass is not the better material what would you use to seal that area?
The nails are stiff, I assume that be Bronze?
The chine was covered with a 1 inch piece of brittle alumunim type material. It snapped in two like a alumunim magnisium material breaks. I would like to get something like the bread board material you mentioned.

I have not had time to look at the book you recommended but will ASAP. The epoxy that I intend to cover the sides and bottom with is the West System product. Is the 3m a similar product?

I believe you mentioned you have the bottom and chine protective material to sell, what price? I went to Tatmans but could not find a picture of this product, only a description.

Hi Rick,
yeah, thanks for the note on the CDL, my buddy up in Spokane wrote me yesterday regarding it. I'm at Eagle Rock tonight and look forward to seeing you tomorrow. We floated the lower Mckenzie from Deerhorn to Hendricks bridge near Springfield this afternoon, beautiful day.

Hey Rick...
Thanks again for the thoughtful gift... I will use that magnetic fly retriever often!!! It was so good to meet you and spend time talking "live" with you about the stuff we tap out on the computer all the time. Really glad you made the trip down. Hope you enjoyed the day.
Take care.
GH

Hey brother... sorry for being a bit out of touch. I'll have a pretty good story for you in a few days!! Sounds like you had a great trip around the state!! Come back down anytime & we'll fish!!
Thanks so much for your kind words - I appreciate it!! I get a kick entertaining you guys.
My email is greg.hatten@gmail.com. Can't wait to see the photo's!!
See ya on the river.
Greg