I know what you mean about the 1/4 ply. I have a 57 trojan that is 15' and has a 40 hp merc on it and it is also made of 1/4 ply. If I get it up on a plane it feels like its going to fly apart. It stays together though, so far. This was on whitefish, I bet that you careful on flathead. I was at the boat show this last august on sat. and the lake was really choppy, the wind was kickin and there were 5' waves. Good show though, i really like those big stancraft. they had one newer one that had 1200 hp. amazing. Did you catch the show?

Ya that one, awesome boat. thanks for the pic Dave.

Hi Dave - Don Wakefield here in Paradise, CA.......  Nice looking boat that you have built.  My daughter and family have a home on Finley Point just above Polson on Skidoo Bay...  I go there every year for a family reunion.  I want to haul my newly constructed drifter/jet sled up there and have some with the grand-kids.  Thanks for the idea of running the Swan.  Thought we might try the Clark Fork too -  can you think of any more fun rivers up there??