Jesse,
Welcome to the site... hope you enjoy all the boat "chatter"... I have a Tatman as well - great boat.

Hey Jesse, welcome to the site.

Hey Jesse,
Thanks for the tip on the propane space heater. I do need to ventilate the spent propane though, correct?
Anyhoo, where the....is Rigby? I find my way out there (Big Hole, Beaverhead, Madison, etc) every October. Its funny how everyone in Idaho and Montana seem to be Clackacraft fanatics. Thanks again for the tip.....
Craig

Holy Crap. I guess we have a few things to discuss.
1) I am refinishing my boat. Its painted inside out with the exception of key parts (chines, transom, ribs). I bought my boat last summer (My boat and I have limited history in comparision to you and yours) and SLOWLY leaked around the inner chine. No worries, right? Well, once I took it to Montana (Ill get to this later) in October it never seemed to stop. In fact I had to bail the boat twice on the final day.
Come to find out this is not a good thing (I already knew this but the fellas at Tatman convinced me).
Currently, my boat is on some bedding in the garage. I have removed the cine caps (not fun) and the transom trim. I began epoxying this week when I ran into temp issues, which will be resolved this weekend. I will post progress pics this weekend when I have the chance.
On a brighter note....I have followed your progress over your last several posts. Your pics appear narrow but your vessel appears strong. I am not one to give an opinion on varnish or oil. Listen to the fellas here....
As far as my boat in Montana....yup.....just down from the 3 Dollar bridge to be exact. We have rented homes over there evry October for awhile. Let me back up.....My friends and I have an annual trip/migration to SW Montana either every year or every other year. We have rented homes in Grizzly Bar as well as Cameron. Three of those pics are from the float above McAtee. The house we have rented is locatd at the camp ground/rec area between Grizzly Bar and McAtee Boat launch turnoff. I have a love/hate relationship with the Madison.....its either bitter cold or 75 mph winds when Im there. Actually, I love it. When we are there, the crowds have dispersed and USUALLY the browns are on the move. Its a great time.
The other pics of my Tatman (where you see tall trees) are on my home waters here in Eugene on the lower Willamette. Trust me.....its tough to keep a good secret out here but I think it can be some of the best dry fighing in the area.
Well, Im off work and its time to tend to the project....I know you understand:) Thanks for the advice, commentary, and conversation....I get the feeling our lines will cross paths again. Keep up the battle on your boat and ill stay in touch this week/weekend.
-Tight Lines

Yeah Jesse, Clacka's are a Big Deal over there. They look very fishable, but how sturdy can glass be? When I had old Blue over there they looked at me like an alien.
As you know, the Madison is a rock garden and one must pay attention and my Tatman did quite well. Maybe they have a soft bottom so guides can be somewhat lazy and 'roll over' rocks without a big impact. Just a thought.
Anyhoo....back to mine. Chat with ya later....
Craig J

My Tatman is 16' by 48". It looks wide in some of my pics I think because of the angles of the photo. How narrow is yours? Your pictures look just like mine with exception of the paint. It is possible that your drifty is longer and narrower than mine. I could give you exact measurements and more photos if you like?
I sanded the sides and bottom of mine. I am applying epoxy to the whole boat (outside) and filling the chine gap left after some veneer was removed when the chine was removed. Once the chine is filled (space heater rental happening tomorrow in the am) and cured....I will apply a few coats of paint to the outside. I think the epoxy will smooth out and give the paint a glass finish......thats the hope at least.
I am buying new chine caps, rub rails, and transom rails to varnish. It should look really sharp on top of the paint! I think a dark/deep blue will look sharp. Oh yeah, and it wont leak anymore:) Hooray!!! Its funny, my boat LOOKS great from a distance but once you get up close you tell it has some 'issues'.
Anyway, I have used paint stripper (Jasco) on furniture but not on a boat. Sounds like AJ knows his stuff. Maybe just getting the right product (eventhough it may cost more) will save alot of headache.
Im jealous you live so close to the Madison, Henry's, Big Hole, Big Sheep, Beaverhead etc. Spent a few days over there.....certainly not enough.
When I graduated from OSU I SERIOUSLY considered a move to Boise for the flyfishing. Family and friends kept me grounded. Also, I know the Mckenzie and the WIllamette like the back of my hand. Big day tomorrow.....let me know how your weekend goes.
Have fun, Jesse!!! I know I will.
Tight Lines

BTW. I work for an Environmental Consulting firm and we have an office in ST George. JBR Environmental Consultants. Ever heard of us??
Anyway, I sure do love Zion and the Narrows!

Jesse,
The boat is coming along - working on it as often as I can.
Looks like you are in the middle of pretty decent project refinishing that boat as well.

Yes this is my first boat... Pretty excited to get her finished and on the water for this summer....

Jesse,
How did it go this weekend? I finished the epoxy and sanded only to realize there was still a gap in the chine. It was sealed just fine with epoxy but a slight gap still existed where some plywood was pulled out from the original removal of chine cap. So being somewhat of a perfectionist I continued with another thick layer of the stuff. I should be painting next weekend. I have to travel this week so I wont be able to work on it but I am seeing real progress. Ill post pictures tomorrow.
How is your Tatman coming along? I was thinking of starting a blog and displaying pictures and discussing my progress.
Anyhoo, I hope all went well.
-Tight Lines

Hey Jesse,
To mae this a small world....I was with some of my buddies on our annual trip on the Madison when I watched the end of the Utah/Beaver game. We had been on the Big Hole for the day and caught the ending. It was a tough one for me, but was quite happy to see them DESTROY Bama. That was quite enjoyable!! Utah has a heck of a program now.
I have always wanted to be part of fly fishing royalty.....I guess I should marry into it:) I bet your father-in-law is a great resource!
I have not been able work on Old-Blue but I certainly will this weekend. I should finish the epoxy and sanding and maybe even get a coat or two fo paint on the outside. I will set up some pics this weekend. I hope yours is progressing nicely. Enjoy the rest of the week!
Too funny your Dad has heard of JBR. Once again....small world. Anyway, I wont hold it against you that you are a Ute.
Craig

I remember him....big sack in the Civil War when Harrington played for the Ducks. Too funny....small world!
So you are making your boat 'convertble'??? So you can have a fisherman in the front and one in the back? How are you doing the back casting brace??? It is the perfect design for fly fishing three....much like the Clacka's we discussed....I guess they got that right. I was thinking of doing that to mine, but I am certain I will build a boat next winter. I have the bug!!! Out here I need a slightly bigger boat to do that effectively. I think a 17x54 Tatman or an MBB Classic.
So I started a blog. It is kind of funky because the pictures load up VERY narrow....so I posted them on my page instead.
I will have all of the epoxy done this weekend. Sanding will be complete either tomorrow or Monday night. I think I am going to go with a deep blue color. Interlux Brightside makes a great paint from what I hear. Maybe something like this.....

http://bristol29.com/Links/Maloha-paint-complete%20020.jpg

I want it a bit darker than what Old Blue is now, unfortunately I will have to paint the inside as well.
Honestly, I cannot wait for the boat to be fishing ready. Seriously. The weather has NOT been great but the Willamette and McKenzie have kept their color and I have THE ITCH TO FISH!!!!!!!
Hey Jesse, I hope your day/weekend has treated you well and you accomplished what you needed. Until next post......
-Tight Lines

Hey Jesse,

I'm not sure if you'll get my photo comment back...so here it is:

The grey coating is just Linex. The beauty about that stuff is that I didn't have to dink with making the interior bottom pretty...that stuff coats anything. The issue I'm starting to hear about with Linex, is moisture. Moisture comes in from the bottom and has no place to evaporate to. Thus far, I've done it on two boats and haven't had any issues. You have to make that call though, if you are ok with possibly replacing the bottom every so often, then do it. It sure is good looking and bullet proof!!

Hey Ute!!!
Yeah I think I am going. Work sometimes rears its ugly head and sends me to random places....which is fine. I just cant commit and have something come up you know. I am plannig on going if I am in town. Are you going?
Sounds like your boat is coming along well! Better than mine. I shall have primer and maybe a coat on this weekend. Wow. Now that I think about it...I could be fishing/floating in a couple of weeks!!! I cant get sent out of town in the mean time!
Your boat looks fantastic!! That looks like some serious work....im impressed.
Enjoy a sunny day for me...I assume it its sunny in Rigby,,,,It ALWAYS RAINS in Western Oregon so every other place to me must be sunny. Im not complaining....the rain does give us Chinook and Steelhead. Still.....sunny days would be a nice change of pace......even if it is below freezing!
Keep up the battle and get the vessel complete!!!
Oh yeah and ...GO BEAVS!

It was about $400. I would agree, I love the stuff. It makes boat clean-up a breeze and provides a good non-slip surface on the floorboards.

Dude. I love your floor board work. Honestly, there are some serious hours into the sanding of your boat, no? NIcely done.
I broke ranks last week and fished a little instead of working on my boat.
However the rivers are blown out now and I have found some time to work again on mine. It looks pretty good and I think its finally ready for some primer and paint. This weekend will be a big one. I will back at it this weekend.
Keep up the good fight....
-Tight Lines

Jesse,
Just curious....how is your knee brace built and how are you attaching it?
Have a great week. Im close on my Tatman....just another week or two and Im back fishing!!!
-Tight Lines

Craig

Wow look at you!
Seriously, I have had some issues trying to get some clean lines on my boat. Granted it needed some help, but this paint is unforgiving. EVERY little mistake seems to be magnified. Im back to block sanding everything starting with 80 grit and working my way back to 220 grit based on the advice of Rick Newman. Its amazing how the sides feel great to the touch, but once I apply paint.....welll.....not so good. Oh well, I would rather I did all that I could to get that 'glass' look.
Your boat looks great! What next? Will you be fish ready soon? I want to see how you have attached your rear knee brace when it is all complete. Nicely done so far.........
-Tight Lines

Jesse,
Make a weekend out of it... bring the boat for the Festival and the Float on the 25th - I really think you should !! You are just over the hill from us... sort of - OK - it's a big-ass hill... come west!!
GH

Happy Tax Day!
I went with the Interlux Toplac Mauritus Blue. Apparently it is a little more forgiving than the brightside. One guy on the site used brightside and he sprayed it on. Ill have to track down who that was. There are more color options with the brightside. When I build a boat I think Ill use the bightside and paint the outside before I put it together to avoid running. Let me track down the gent that used brightside and Ill get back to ya.
-Craig

TJ Weiss. He wrecked his truck and boat in the snow in the coast and repainted. He did a fine job, but ask him about the paint. he qould know more than I.
I hope to be done by the boat festival but I have been out of town and with Easter I have not gotten to it for a couple of weeks. How about you? Is your project moving forward?
-Craig

Jesse,

I love the looks of the tightly strapped webbing you've got strung for your seat. Would you mind sharing where you purchased it? I'd like to convert from rope.

thanks,
mitchell

Mr. Ronnow, Have been looking at pictures of your boat. What type of covering is on the chine areas and bottom of your boat? I am all but finished on a year long 18 foot drift boat but for the the fly deck , alott of sanding and the finishing.. UHMP or fiber glass ? not sure what to use. I like some of your ideas lokking at your pictures. Thanks Steve Sobba

Jesse,

something like this? http://www.rei.com/product/737298

Did you just pinch the ends to get it through the turnbuckle? About 50 feet do it?

thanks for the feed back, it really helps!

mitchell

Thanks Jesse for the comment on the Line-X on the bottoms of the boat. Not sure what river I will float... there is the Arkansas river, pronounced ark kansas. I mainly builtt it to take my dad and own children fishing ... and the lines of the drift boat was the main attraction . Thanks again Steve

Jesse, Sorry I did not get back to you sooner... out of town for a wedding this weekend. I know nothing about river boating I just like the lines of the drift boat. I did not wnat just a flat bench seat. I turned the end of a patio park bench, that we have, up on its edge and traced the lines on to a pattern and then using the dimensions in the plans from Don Hill, approximated the seat to the confines of that space. I was going to use a long hinge and a tapererd seat back but changed that to this hinge peice. I wanted the seat back to be attached and if I wanted to step over it I could lay the back rest down. It was along winter project ... seat of the pants quessing . I did sit in the seat , placed in the boat the other day and was very pleased. Thanks steve

I bought the plan from Don Hill. It's the ten foot mini drifter. I duplicated the center frame and added 16 inches to the center of the boat. It is very quick and is a great low water boat.

The frame i copied had no bevel,added 16" and the frame,every thing else stayed the same.

I looked on the map where you live. I will be comeing by your back yard to go deer hunting. We take the Palisades road to Alpine Wyoming, hunt the Greys river

Jesse,
Im the one. I sold out to my Brother, and his partners. Im living in Swan Valley, working
as a EMT for the Swan Valley Fire Dept. I allso reopened my Custom Fishing Fishing Rod
Bussiness. Powell Custom Rodbuilding. Its going big guns in the swan valley area.
are you going to attend the snake river boat show?