Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
The Red Hot twins
The Red Hot Twins.
Sort of.
About five years ago I helped my youngest grandson, Logan, design and build a light boat. I couldn’t talk him into a drift boat. I call it a canoyak, a hybrid between a canoe and kayak, and it is a modified craft originally designed by Mike O’Brien. O’Brien’s boat came to be known as the “Six Hour Canoe” in part because of it’s ease to build. It is an easy build but I don’t know where the hell 6-hours came from.
Anyway, when I selected the material for Logan’s boat I decided to obtain enough material for another boat or two. The stuff has been taking up space in the shop since, so with the realization that my old McKenzie was going to a new set of old hands, and as this past winter rush for plans, books and models slowed, I decided do what I originally intended – build two more canoyaks.
They’re sexy little things; perfect for one person and can comfortably handle two kids. Stem to stern this pair is just over 15-feet and is 32-inches at the gunwale amidships. The decks and bulkheads slip out easily so the boats can be cradled and car-topped, or trailored as shown. They will be best suited for the flatter water of the Willamette, Santiam, coastal estuaries and streams, and the high lakes. Dual paddle blades work best and the little hummers really scoot. The only problem with them will be the absence of a skeg to help the boats track. That was a purposeful choice. First, it will keep the kids busy, and second, I don't want any obstruction below the chine.
We'll launch these red hot twins sometime next week for their trials, probably about the time the Olympic trials are underway at Hayward Field.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rick Finnell on
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Roger how did the launch go ? Looks like you did a great job, maybe the six hour version doesn't look like furniture.
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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on
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Roger, I have to agree with Rick, fine furniture takes longer. It's just like good food, the good stuff takes more time! You have a lucky family that gets to share your passion and craftsmanship.
Take care;
Rick Newman
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Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on
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Laucnhed the twins today. Pardon the paddles. Will handcraft some Spruce when the weather turns sour.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Markley on
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WOW - fun!
Looks like they have a good bit of rocker... a pair of oars would be fun too.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Z on
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Nice Roger!!!!!
Whats this McKenzie of yours changing hands all about?
I built one of these six hour canoes 10 years or so ago, was my first boat build. I may have to build another as I too, managed to convince the wife I needed all "this extra material" for past projects......
See you soon!
Dave
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Yeh, Dave, it's been a fun little project. Stephen Markly's suggestion of oars is an intriguing one so I have dry fit some oarblocks and will soon fashion some sticks for her and see how it works. The kids could then have a choice - dual bladed paddle or oars. And since the kids will be the primary users I have also added flotation. They're real eye catchers on the water.
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