Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

I put a bar in my boat...

After four seasons and many miles on the water, I knew something was missing. Maybe I should've put a bar in the boat when I built it - but I wasn't sure how much I'd use it and figured I could always add it later. Now is later...
I decided I wanted a bar with a little character and authenticity - something that was functional, sturdy and rugged. I didn't want to add a lot of weight, spend much money, or have any sharp angles or edges that might interfere with fly line off a cast. Here's what I came up with...

Found it at a salvage yard in Eugene, it came out of an old bar in eastern Oregon and "Ned" wasn't sure if it was a foot rail or a Pole?? He cut off a 24" piece and charged me $20... it was old and tarnished and PERFECT.

I sketched a pattern for the braces similar to the lines on the knee locks. Glued up scraps from my boat (glad I kept every leftover piece of wood), cut, sanded, and finished them - had to buy a "core bit" from Home Depot for $9.50.

Sunk three 1/4" screws into the bottom of the braces, built a receiving rail (more scraps) underneath and between the two outside floor boards on each side and made the braces adjustable and removable without damaging the floor.

Polished most of the tarnish and stain from the brass bar (just in case it really was a brass Pole and not a brass foot rail in it's former life). It's a little too shiny right now but it will take on a nice "McKenzie River patina" as it ages and weathers.

My passengers will be glad I'm not pushing off their seat anymore for leverage...

Happy Hour at my new bar...

All in, the cost was about $32, the added weight is about 6.2 pounds total (braces & brass), and the hours invested were hard to calculate because I was "lost in the wood & whiskey"...
GH

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jon Carter on March 24, 2009 at 9:11am

You've already shown that you do everything right (with flair and style) but you missed just a little on this one - because - I can't figure out how you belly up to it. Actually it is way cool and up to your usual standard. When do you add the lounge with a pole for table dances?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on March 24, 2009 at 9:40am

Jon - I should've consulted with you BEFORE this project... now you've got me thinking... table dances on the river - now that's a project!!
GH

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard (Rick) LeBlanc on April 3, 2009 at 7:53am

Greg, you are the most anal person I have ever known. That's why I love ya Brother. Keep the ideas coming just because I enjoy watching your mind spur.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on April 3, 2009 at 9:23am

Not sure how to take that comment, my brother... but after that "train trip" to chase winter steelhead in Minam - you know me pretty well so I'm sure the bar in the boat comes as no surprise. You are a "Steelhead Catchin Son of a Bitch"... come down and fish with me. March Browns are hatchin.
GH

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe Palanuk on March 24, 2009 at 9:12am

What can I say, functionality and practicality both at the same time. Can't wait to help you open that bottle and christen that sucker. Keep me posted, I am ready.