Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Tom Martin Male Grand Canyon, AZ United States: Share on Facebook MySpace Tweet

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Boating in Hell Before The Dams
3 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Stephen Blalock Mar 5, 2018.

From Powell To Power
3 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Ants Uiga Jan 14, 2015.

Can You Help ID this Grand Canyon dory?

Started Dec 24, 2013

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The Book is Finally here!

The book that covers all the back story behind the 1950's Grand Canyon dory GEM has just been released!

It's called Big Water, Little Boats and included boat dimensions and almost 200 photos of historic Grand Canyon watercraft and river runners. The story included a recounting of a river trip on the highest water ever run in Grand Canyon, 126,000 second…

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Posted on June 29, 2012 at 12:55pm — 3 Comments

The Story of the GEM

What better place then Woodenboatpeople could there be to share a never before told Grand Canyon McKenzie drift boat story and to share the construction of some remarkable replica boats?

Dave Mortenson has a permit for a Grand Canyon river trip with a 2011 launch. Who is Dave? Well, he’s hiked more of the north side of the river in the western Grand Canyon then most anyone alive, having been hiking there yearly since 1961. He first ran the Colorado River in Grand Canyon as a wee lad…

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Posted on June 5, 2009 at 7:00pm — 13 Comments

Latest Activity

Tom Martin shared Brad Dimock's discussion on Facebook

Building Jerry Briggs's legendary Rogue River Special

Sep 21

Tom Martin replied to Kevin Kay's discussion Free! Drift Boat Build Dolly Rolling Rack Jig Free!

"Morning Kevin, WOW! That would make the perfect base for a cradle that needs to be built for one of the historic boats at Grand Canyon National Park. All the boats that need cradles have really nice ones except for the GEM. It's still sitting…"

Sep 21

Tom Martin replied to Pete Weisbeck's discussion Wooden drift boat on the Green river advisable?

"Hi Pete, you will be fine on the water. Just keep in mind in the mornings there is a 15 minute load out limit on the ramp. We are trying to change that for folks who need more time, but it can be quieter if you launch in the afternoon. Bring your…"

Jul 3, 2019

Profile Information

Hometown:: Grand Canyon and Flagstaff

About Me:: I built a fairly acurate replica of the first Grand Canyon dory, GEM, and then wrote a book about it, Big Water Little Boats.

Website:: http://www.vishnutemplepress.com

Boats I own:: GEM replica, Achillies 16ft, 18ft raft, IK, life jacket :>)

Comment Wall (23 comments)

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At 12:17pm on August 21, 2023, Stella Abudheir said…: Good Day,

How is everything with you, I picked interest on you after going through your short profile and deemed it necessary to write you immediately. I have something very vital to disclose to you, but I found it difficult to express myself here, since it's a public site.Could you please get back to me on:(mrsstellaabudheir@gmail.com ) for the full details.

Have a nice day

Thanks God bless.

Stella.

At 10:00pm on April 27, 2010, Rick Newman said…: Tom and Hazel, wow what a wonderful time getting to know you! I feel like I have known you forever. It was truly an honor to have the GEM be the first wooden boat I ever rowed. Your presentation brought back memories of past slide shows from friends past and tied together some more of the loose ends concerning canyon history. while I haven't been below the South Rim my studies of the canyon combined with you insights and history is a really neat feeling. Someday I'll get there. I have passed up many opportunities, I hope that I don't have to pass up any more. I'll send you the complete file of photos soon.

Your friend always,

Rick Newman

At 9:20am on February 4, 2010, Jeremy Christensen said…: Tom, looks like you had a fantastic trip! Loved the pictures. Well done.

Cheers,
Jeremy

At 9:26am on October 19, 2009, Brian said…: Thanks Tom. This boat has been a real pleasure to both float and rebuild. Through it (and Rogers book), I've learned so much local history. I love being able to drive up the Mckenzie and know the stories of the early guides and boatbuilders who first plied these waters. Besides the magic of being on the river, the history is really the second draw. I have been reading your posts and look forward to some journal entries and photos of you trip (trips).
All the best,
Brian

At 2:15pm on September 27, 2009, Matt Beach said…: Hey no problem Tom.... Rain has been holding the boat building process still. No inside building to store the boat so its all being built outside. A blue tarp is keeping it from the elements. Being so close to North GA, I thought I was going to have to flip it over, slap some tar around it and use it to get from place to place (finished or not). With the amount of backed up water and septic tanks empting out, there is a abundance of "brown trout" floating around now, so we are holding off fishing for awhile.

At 7:21am on September 24, 2009, Rick Newman said…: Tom, your boat is progressing really well. I am very envious of your trip and respectful of your efforts. Keep up the good work!

Rick Newman

At 6:26am on June 7, 2009, Rick Finnell said…: I used a Don Hill 10' mini drifter plan, duplicated the center frame and added 16" in length in center of the boat. I don't think it's from a old design.

At 7:51pm on May 17, 2009, Tom Martin said…: Hi Den, thanks for the encouragement! Good luck to you on your Rogue River Dory! Do you know Bigwater Bob Donovan, the Maine tree cutter? Small world, so i thought to ask.

IK = inflatable kayak...

At 1:18pm on May 17, 2009, Den said…: what is an IK?

Den in New Hampshire
What a great project!

At 11:46am on May 15, 2009, Tom Martin said…: Hey Rick, thanks so much for your support and encouragement. Hope you recover soon, and get a chance to do a little boat building yourself! Good luck to you too! Yours, tom