Well it's official... the boat has made her maiden voyage!
I am quite pleased to say she was everything I expected and more.

Christine and I made the trip - and it was important that she be with me the first time out - she encouraged me to undertake the project, and was super helpful all the way through. Thanks Christine!

Also a big thanks to Randy and Sandy at Tatman... I appreciate all the help! I really do think this is the prefect boat for what I want to do... thanks for taking the time and being patient. I was hooked after the boat show - glad we could make it happen.

We had the best time camping, floating and fishing. We floated some sections of the Big Manistee river here in MI. We managed some smaller trout - but our fishing was hit and run because we were testing the boat and more or less just pleasure cruising most of the days.

We arrived up at our camp site in the evening and relaxed a bit in anticipation of the next days adventure. Needless to say I was excited and had dreams of epic trout fishing and drift boating into those hard to reach runs to get after them... The morning came fast, and after some breakfast and final preparation we were at the boat launch looking at the river... I backed the trailer down and the boat slid quietly into the current - almost as if she couldn't wait to get off the trailer and get to work. It was a good sign. After a couple words of blessing and a splash of good Michigan brewed Pale ale across her bow - it was official. The boat was christened and in service.

I popped the oars in the locks... Christine gave me the all clear and we pushed off the gravely shore into the swift current. I looked back at the launch as we drifted out and knew there was no turning back. Boat building is a sickness. I put the chine into the current on the ferry angle, a pull on the oars and we sliced across the current. A wood boat is the sports car of drift boats.

The rest is history. We floated and fished, ate drank and were merry - basically the best time I could have imagined. There are few things more satisfying than floating down the river in a boat you built. Anyone who is on the fence about building a boat - Do It!

Here are some pics of our float and launch. Enjoy.

Boat in the water right after she came off the trailer.

Christening of the vessel with some appropriate libation.

View downriver right after launch.

A rookie on the sticks - don't hit those logs!

Christie caught this little guy running a nymph through a run while I was messing around with the boat.

Better fish - that's a happy customer!

If you squint you can see the eagle flying away from us - we saw several baldies eating fish.

My first-mate.

Rowing.

More rowing.

Rear shot.

Hilltop shot with the rain coming down.

Profile.

Christie fishing...

Lunch stop - streamside gravel bar.

Looking good!

Chillin...

Boat launch at the end of our float...

Another boat launch pic.

New toy for my bday.

Thanks for looking.

The entire photo album is here (there are some random pics - but lots of boat/river pics too.)
http://gallery.me.com/abstract_72#100218

Let me know what you guys think.
Jason