Boat types

Setting the story up:

I found a free wooden Drift boat and trailer parked in a lot next to our office on a Saturday Morning when I was on my way to work.  Took the boat home and put about $100 in it, it looks good. 

 

I was on the North Fork of the Lewis fishing with my wife and there was this older man standing on the bank watching us come down the river.  As we approached him he was very pleasant as most people on the river are, he wanted to know what kind of boat I had.  I told him how I got the boat, he said I was a lucky day for me, he called it a Heater, I told him I had no idea what that ment, he thinks the boat is a Ray Heater kit 16 foot.

 

The boat is older but in nice condition, I would like to rebuild this boat with new materials in the next few years.  It handles very nicly and I feel comfortable in the water conditions I have seen so far. 

 

I also have broken the rules of drift boating, I put a 5hp 1939 Johnson outboard on it.  The motor is very solid and runs like new, or so I am told I am only 35 years old.

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Permalink Reply by mlwebb on May 25, 2011 at 3:28pm

Nice score - nice looking boat.

I am sure you will find out all you would like to know about your boat here.

Several folks (other than me) can tell you if its a Ray Heater boat (incl Ray).

Another pic or two wouldn't hurt, we like pictures :)

Michael

Permalink Reply by lhedrick on May 25, 2011 at 5:47pm
A 1939 motor.  That's not braking any rules in my book.  I love those old outboard.
Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on May 26, 2011 at 9:19am

That is a very cool boat.  I've never seen parallel strakes on the side as a rub guard.  Makws sense.  This might be a clue to it's heritage.  Roger, are you listening?  What do you think?

 

The rocker seems to be more in line with the Hindmann/Steele boats.  That makes sense because Woodie added the transom to his double ender at the request of an Umpqua guide so he could use a little kicker in the flat water sections.  A 1939 Johnson completes the vintage package.  Wow!!! 

 

Even though a motor mounted on this type of boat is actually pushing the hull "backwards", it works beautifully for pushing down long, slow stretches.

 

This is a working museum piece.  Hope to see it in person some day. 

 

AJ

Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on May 26, 2011 at 1:53pm

She does indeed look like a fine specimen. I can't immediately recall where, but I have seen a boat or two with one one bumper such as the two on your boat. Minus any markings or identifying plate on the boat I suspect it's the work of an imaginative home boat builder. It clearly is the McKenzie drift boat style but -- and it may be the angle of the photo -- it doesn't seem to have as accentuated a rocker as the Steele or Hindman boats, and thus not quite as much flare to the side panels. Paul, could you take a close look at the thickness of the side panel where it abuts the outside rail/gunwale? It may be that the paint overlaps on to the rail a bit, but it looks to me like the panel may be 3/8-inch thick rather than the customary 1/4-inch panels. Can you clarify? 

Permalink Reply by Paul Kysar on June 2, 2011 at 1:03pm
The sides are 1/4 inch ply with a top cap that acts like a trim that is wider thatn the plywood. I am not really up to speed on boat terms, but an willing to learn as I go.  I will get more pics, I have one of her sitting on a trailer I will post. 
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