Hi, My name is Dobie Swift and I want to build a boat

I stumbled upon this site while link hopping along the drift boat trail on the Internet. I think I found it via Roger Fletcher's site. I am a proud owner of Roger's book and am currently reading it cover to cover. I want to build a drift boat and I am glad to have both this site and Roger's book as resources.

Thanks,

Dobie Swift

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Permalink Reply by Roscoe Van Ausdoll on February 26, 2015 at 6:15am

Dobie,

I too am preparing to build my first boat, actually going to build two. Got plans from Don Hill for a 17 Ft FF and am in the process of get all the wood together. looking at native White Oak and Walnut for the ribs, seats etc... Obviously a rookie at boat building but an accomplished wood worker, cant wait!!

Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on February 26, 2015 at 7:31am

Roscoe: Walnut has poor rot resistance  and spruce/DF /WO might be a better choice for the structural members in a boat.  Walnut seats, knee locks, trim etc would look nice and could be replaced as needed. As you are familiar with wood walnut can get some "wild" grain  and structural members will need good straight grained stock.  Just my opinion- others may have better advice.

Good Luck

Permalink Reply by Roscoe Van Ausdoll on February 26, 2015 at 10:13am

Lawrence, thanks for he advice, yes the walnut will only be used for small trim applications, the structure will be White Oak. Cant wait to get started and am sure Ill have a million questions. Already beating around stain and sealing/fiberglass options. Thinking both boats will be a natural wood finish. Again Thanks, Great Forum!!  

Permalink Reply by Mick on March 4, 2015 at 6:21am

Hey Dobie--just noticed you live about 15 miles from me.  I am about to start building the Jason Cajune Kingfisher (although I am contemplating the recurve sides).  I decided to build a DB 2 years ago, and have just now gotten to the point where I have decided on which boat, and bought everything, good to go.  I have spent a lot of time looking at trailer options (noticed your other post), everything from modifying craigslist trailers to fabrication myself, to having one built.  With regard to building a trailer--note that metals depot (#1 Google hit for "steel for sale") is based in Winchester.  

Permalink Reply by Dobie Swift on March 4, 2015 at 6:51am

Thanks for the heads up Mick. I have used Metal Supermarkets over on Nandino in the past and have always been pleased. I'll take a look at Metals Depot.

Curious, where did you source your plywood and lumber?

Permalink Reply by Mick on March 4, 2015 at 7:28am

Let me know where you end up on a trailer.  I am still not sure what I will do.  

Plywood sourcing was a long ordeal--I tried all over town (and Louisville, and So. Indiana, and other places) to find something decent ply, or get lumber places to order for me, but no luck. I did find a wooden boat shop in Cincinnati that has BS 1088 Okoume and Meranti.  I talked to its owner several times, intended to get up there and buy some, but never did (three kids, busy job).  BTW, that place is currently running a Craigslist (Cincy Craigslist) selling existing stock because it is moving to a different location.  Pictures show some ply, and I think its a good sale--may be able to get some cheap.  

Last summer I stumbled across what looks like a great source in Columbus, OH--Woodwerks--BS1088 Okoume, Meranti, Sapele, little cheaper than the Cincy place--intended to get up there but never did.  Finally got impatient and just ordered it online and paid shipping--http://plywood.boatbuildercentral.com/ I had a real good experience despite some issues beyond control of seller.  Joel is the owner, great to deal with.  My first shipment was beat to pieces in shipping--only 3 of 12 pieces of various sizes were not damaged--some pretty bad, others still usable.  Made a shipping claim (Joel was enormously helpful and responsive) got all the damaged stuff replaced (and none was salvaged by shipper so I ended up with a bunch of free, albeit slightly damaged ply).  High quality stuff.  

On lumber--I typically get stuff from Howard White Lumber in Morehead (I am there for work periodically)--good selection, low prices.  I think the Lex Woodcraft store buys (and marks way up) most of the domestic hardwood from there.  I believe I have also located a source in far eastern KY (friend of my dad with a mill) of some long boards--like 16' ash to avoid scarfing gunwales.

I have also been interested in and spoken with the owner of a small mill in Lawrenceburg called McInturf.  At one point he had some long pieces of white oak.

I think Woodcraft also sources from Bagdad Lumber in Shelby or Henry County, and I have thought about checking that out, but have never.  They have a website, and as a bonus they have a calendar with scantily clad lumber girls.  

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