Briggs Drift Boat

Anyone know the original color of the Jerry Briggs wood drift boat? Also were the insides bright or painted.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on November 18, 2012 at 7:41am

Am not sure which "first" you are talking about. Briggs built his first Rogue River Special in about 1954, a lovely boat he called The Pink Lady. Yes. It was pink inside and out, to honor his one and only Barbara. The boat came to an unfortunately tragic end on Tefler's rock in Mule Creek Canyon. The story is in the book.

If you are referring to the first dory he built for Martin Litton circa 1971, the Emerald Mile I believe, it was indeed painted inside and out. I don't recall the colors or whether Jerry did the painting or Martin's crew. Colorado dory historian Brad Dimock can probably address that question for you. Interestingly, the Briggs Colorado dory is his modified and expanded Rogue River Special.

Permalink Reply by Mark Heskett on November 18, 2012 at 10:31am

Thanks for the reply Roger. I should of been more specific I'm wondering about the ones that came from the Rogue River Boat Shop in Grants Pass. I think I know where one is sitting and I'm going to see if the old timer will let me see it.

Mark

Permalink Reply by Brad Dimock on December 13, 2012 at 10:14pm

The Grand Canyon boats, at least in later years, arrived from Rogue River Boat Shop unpainted raw plywood. The company custom at that time--late '70s through early '80s--was to paint them gray on the inside, much to Martin Litton's consternation. "Gray is not a color!" he would bellow. He preferred using the exterior colors on the decks as well: Willys Beryl Green, Cadillac Aztec Red, and Refrigerator White. These colors were handed down from P.T. Reilly, who got them from his buddy, a Disney art designer. All the GCD boats were done a combinations of these three colors, and it gave the fleet a wonderful unity.

Permalink Reply by Hal Jaeke on November 30, 2012 at 9:10am

I became the proud owner of a Briggs "Rogue River Special" 2 years ago, and I had a few questions about her. I have written too, and spoken with, Mr. Gerald Briggs a couple of times and he was very gracious and knowledgeable regarding his boats. I can get you his contact info. if you like.

  By the way, my boat was painted inside and out, and the original color was a light lime green.   HalJ

Permalink Reply by Mark Heskett on November 30, 2012 at 10:34am

Wow light lime green. I just looked at a Prichett the other day that is an original lime green. It is in a garage and in beautiful shape with faded paint. The owner contacted me telling me it was for sale. But I don't think he is ready to see it go. You know there are there are people who have things for sale and people who are selling things. I think he would have taken my money if we agreed to the price but then he would of told me on one condition that the boat didn't leave his garage.  Is Mr. Briggs still associated with the Rogue River Boat Shop?

Permalink Reply by Hal Jaeke on November 30, 2012 at 11:44am

Mark,

    Mr. Briggs has a fishing outfitter company near Bend,Or. My Briggs boat came with classic Prichett splash guards on it. Mr.Briggs figures some one up on the Rogue saw them on one of Bob's boats, and put them on the Briggs.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Heskett on November 30, 2012 at 12:20pm

Hal,

Does your Briggs have a flyline deck? So far all the Briggs boats I've seen have one and the Prichett boats do not. Wondering if they were put on per customers request. I am may be looking at a Briggs tomorrow if the weather cooperates. Any info on the Briggs you can pass on is appreciated. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Hal Jaeke on December 4, 2012 at 6:19am

Mark,

  My Brigg's does have a flyline deck. I closed in the opening that faced the interior, and built in 2 hatches on the deck, to give me a little more closed storage area for camping gear on extended River trips. These pics are of when I first got her home.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Heskett on December 4, 2012 at 10:56am

Hal

Thanks for posting the pics. It looks like all the Briggs I have looked at except for the splash guards. You have done a nice job with it.  All the ones I have looked at so far have been between $1000 to $1200. Do you think that is a good ballpark fiqure? I don't know if that is a good figure for a 50 year old boat.

Permalink Reply by Hal Jaeke on December 4, 2012 at 1:04pm

Mark,

   Thanks, and I think that is a good price range. If they are in reasonable shape you can supply your elbow grease, and $400 -$600 in materials, and have a fine craft. Some others on this site would have a better idea what the materials would cost to build anew....but I'm guessing it would be 3 or 4K, or more! And from what I've seen,unless you pay a real premium for your wood, it's not nearly as high grade as that 50 year old wood!

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