Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Drift Boots

I can't help but share this. A fella from Sackville, New Brunswick (CA) responded to my venture into drift boats as coffee tables. He wrote this: "I think you should put foot bindings in the bottom of each of these new diminutive models and with one on each foot you could start an entire new river running dynamic, "drift boots" Imagine with a few long strides you get to those deep pools, race over rapids, all the while standing up!" He followed that message up a few minutes later with this sketch. Whaddaya thank? LOL.

Courtesy of Peter Manchester (http://petermanchester.ca/)

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Clarke on October 7, 2010 at 5:40am

Duck hunters in the Horicon Marsh of eastern Wisconsin actually developed something similar to this to get around in areas to wet to wade and too shallow or reed covered for a conventional watercraft. They were called "marsh skis." They weren't quite what Mr. Manchester envisions because , since they hadn't sides, they wouldn't float per se. Great cartoon, great play on words.

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Permalink Reply by mitchell on October 7, 2010 at 6:57am

I like the idea but does it have to be lapstrake

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Permalink Reply by Brad Dimock on October 7, 2010 at 8:38pm

Hey, the guy's from New Brunswick. Of course they have to be lapstrake!

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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on October 7, 2010 at 10:10am

Roger, I think your coffee table sized boats would make a hell of a sled for the kids. slightly suicidal, but man, it could be a fun ride down an icy hill.

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Permalink Reply by Brad Dimock on October 7, 2010 at 8:41pm

The day we christened the Glen Canyon we dragged her about 20 feet up the snow slope and jumped in for a short, terrifying, exhilarating splashdown back into the lake. Based on that, I would no recommend turning a kid loose in a smaller one--at least not until you add steering and brakes. This picture of the tracks does not do justice to the adrenaline or the subsequent laughter.

Attachments:

SledTrax.jpg, 369 KB

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Permalink Reply by eric stevens on October 7, 2010 at 10:44am

i would like to hear more about these coffee tables roger,

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Permalink Reply by Rick Finnell on October 7, 2010 at 6:55pm

Eric go to Rogers web page he shows them there. Besides being a really nice guy he's very talented.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on October 7, 2010 at 7:19pm

Prior to beginning my documentation of drift boats and river dories and the people behind them, it was my intention to take my life-long passion for drift boats and craft them as fine furniture. That was 15 years ago. So now I am coming full circle, going back to the beginning, finally getting back to my furniture idea. For a look at recent prjects, go here -- http://riverstouch.com/FineFurniture.htm These boats take as long to complete as the full size versions, and for me at this stage of my life, this is quite satisfying.

And Rick F - thanks for your nice comment.