McKenzie River Boat Blueprints

Hey all, name is Ron and I am a college student interested in building a McKenzie River Boat and have done a bunch of research, but have yet to lay my hands on a set of designs/blueprints.

Being a college student I am trying to save money so hoping I can get the plans without buying them online. Wondering how difficult it might be to just take a stab at building one without plans, or if someone is willing to forward me a set of plans.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Ron Shanks

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on December 2, 2009 at 9:11pm
One of the better ways to not only acquire plans but a great overview of the entire progress is to visit Roger Fletcher's website to see what he offers at http://riverstouch.com/Book.htm. His book is in my opinion the leading authority on the history of the Mackenzie driftboat. He leads you through the entire process and by following his direction many fine boats have been built. I too am a college student, again and I understand your concern with finances. However I have lived long enough to often remember that spending a little more on the start of a project often results in less being spent long term and far fewer "do-overs". The past forums and blogs are also very instructional and cost virtually nothing to view and study. Lots of your questions may have been asked before and the answers are already here.

I welcome you to the Wooden Boat People web site and hope that you enjoy the time spent here and that you make as many friends as I have.

Rick Newman
Permalink Reply by Ronald Shanks on December 3, 2009 at 6:34am
Thanks for the reply Rick, the school library does not have a copy of the book, but I am hoping they can track one down for me. The cost of the book is around $50, which is about the same cost as the plans, so I doubt I will be purchasing a book.

I should have mentioned in my first post that I am no stranger to working with wood or boats. I grew up on the coast of Maine and have spent many days scraping barnacles off lobster boats, and repairing/painting wooden boat hulls for relatives and neighbors.

There is no doubt in my mind that I can find whatever information/assistance I am looking for online, with the exception of the seemingly elusive boat plans. I guess I could draw some up myself, but I would rather have a plan in front of me that had exact measurements.
Permalink Reply by Matt Beach on December 3, 2009 at 7:03am
http://flyfishing.thefuntimesguide.com/images/blogs/Glen-L-Marine-D...

Specs-
Length: 15'
Beam: 5' 6"
Draft: Approx.5"
Weight: 200lbs
Capacity: 2 adults + Gear
Construction: Chine log and frames full fiberglass exterior
Propulsion: Oars

Materials-

4-4x8 sheets marine plywood
70lin.ft. 1x4 clear pine or fir
70 lin.ft. 1x4 fir
16 lin ft 1x6 clear fir or pine
80 lin ft 1x2 clear fir or white oak
50 3/16 x3 1/2 stainless flat head bolts
50 3/16x 2 1/2 stainless flat head bolts
100 no. 10x2" stainless wood screws
4 gal resin for fiberglass
60 yds fiberglass tape
Enough glass cloth to cover sides, bottom, and transom
Permalink Reply by Matt Beach on December 3, 2009 at 7:06am
If the link above does not work, then go on google > type "drift boat"> and select Images> you should find some good spec images to go off of which I did and was able to create the boat I'm working on shown within my own images. If you have the skills then the above a few photos should be enough.
Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on December 3, 2009 at 8:52am
No problem. I wish I had some of your East Coast experiences. Perhaps not the scraping barnacles part! I hope that you enjoy the WBP site.

Rick Newman
Permalink Reply by Jeff Wilson on December 3, 2009 at 3:34pm
if you have the money to build a boat, springing for a set of plans or the book,(for which Roger worked to create) will give you a good deal of understanding of the process,and the history...they're worth it. Think of it as a textbook you'd buy for a college course and kept because it's such a great reference.
Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on December 3, 2009 at 4:48pm
Ron,

Jeff is right on. Confidence in the process is everything and Roger explains it very well. Many of the posts on this and other sights are questions about the process whether it be for a build or a restoration. These boats are fairly simple and straight forward but most us still do a good amount of head scratching. Roger's "text book" will live as long as there are wooden drift boats and guys like us.

AJ
Permalink Reply by Herb Jacobsen on December 3, 2009 at 10:27pm
Ron,

I hope things work out for you in your build, but I am going to be the one to bring some sadness to the whole deal. You are looking at around $3500.00 for wood and other materials, screws, nails, bolts, oars, trailer, epoxy and whatever other googahs you want. Good oarlocks are going to run you about $100.00 a set. Sure you can find a lot of less expensive stuff but in the end it still comes up to about the same.

I had a set of plans that Don Hill gave me some years ago but I threw them away. Never really wanted to build his boat design. Save your money and buy a kit or see if you can find a used boat to restore. Another idea is to buy a frame kit and go from there. Whatever you decide, have fun and enjoy yourself. Perhaps you have access to good marine hardware, and marine plywood and can get deals on them. Hope it all works out.

Herb
Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on December 4, 2009 at 6:49am
I'm not recommending this approach, but for a boat on the cheap, exterior grade fir plywood can work. The phenoxy resins are the same as for marine grade material, and the major problem has to do with voids. For a report on such a boat, one built for less than $300, visit the link below. The boat was built in six days, and the builders claim they spent more on beer than on material. Knowing the pair, I think that is entirely possible. The boat is oiled for ease of maintenance, and the builders were creative in their use of internal appointments. The boat is in its second year on the Green. Brad Dimock and Dan Dierker built the thing and there longer term plan is to build a small fleet for purposes only they will divulge. I thought it was pretty creative, escpecially when sorely limited on financial resources, and you just feel like you gotta build one from scratch.

http://riverstouch.com/DimockAndDierker.htm
Permalink Reply by Ronald Shanks on December 4, 2009 at 10:58am
OK, the local public library has a copy of Drift Boats and River Dories on the way for me (10 days out *aaaahhhhhh*). I am glowing with anticipation. :)

I find it amusing to see the price differences between Herb and Roger for building such a craft, and I can certainly see from the zillions of pictures on the internet that things could get really expensive if adding a ton of little "doo-dads" to make the boat "yours". I am looking to build a very basic craft - simple seats - simple everything......simple, simple, simple.......

Speed is somewhat a factor in building the craft since I am building it for a grade in my class. And, although I want it to look decent, function well, and get a good grade, I certainly don't need to break the bank building something with cup holders, stereo, CD player and a built in icebox. :)

I originally thought that finding a set of plans on the internet would be a piece of cake, but for whatever reason it is darn near impossible to find anything showing schematics/measurements/drawings of a boat. Since this will be required for the class, I will probably just draw up my own plan. This may not be the best idea I have ever had, but I think it is better than buying plans and not knowing what I will get for drawings, or photocopying them out of a book.

Again, thanks to all for the replies.

Ron
Permalink Reply by Matt Beach on December 4, 2009 at 2:01pm
Ron,

I gave you my measurements for my boat and materials above. Right now, I have only $932 into it. Ask yourself this question, What kind of water will I be performing the boat functions in? Fast rapids - Class 4 and up? or small stream moderate streams - Class 1. I myself only use it for small to moderate streams. I didnt need to purchase high end material. The most expensive part of my boat so far is the fiberglass and hardening materials for protection and waterproofing. People have laughed at me for not actually using marine material plywood, but I saved a whole lot but focusing more on the hardner and fiberglass to keep water from touching the non-marine plywood. Instead I went with a 3/8-AC Exterior Plywood. I just bought a pair of 8ft oars off of ebay for $70 (free shipping). Type in this number on Ebay 360212123766. The lady usually sells them as a Buy Now. Oar locks - galvanized - plus shipping - $22 - Deals are out there to create a good boat for the type of waters you plan on being in.
Permalink Reply by Matt Beach on December 4, 2009 at 2:13pm
Start with the plan I have attached and go from there.
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