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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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