Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

McKenzie vs Don Hill

Hey guys. Been away from drift boat building for a while and contemplating building a drift boat to replace my old rebuilt drift boat. I have Rogers book and am seriously considering the double ender with transom. However I've been looking at the Don Hill 16 standard side guide model and contemplating it as well. Can anyone tell me the difference between the double ender in the book vs the Don Hill? Is there an advantage of one over the other?

Thanks...

Troy

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Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on March 14, 2013 at 6:51am

Troy - both boats are considered McKenzie. The boat in my book represents the lines and detail of the first McKenzie double-ender with transom. It was built by Woodie Hindman in 1948 and is a historical representation of that first boat. The key differences relate to bottom width amidship, angles of the bow and tansom, flare and width amidships. Hill also offers several boat options, most of which offer greater carrying capacity, especially as relates to carrying two of three fishermen ahead of the oarsman. Don's boats carries their width forward more than the original. Either boat is a great performer, but if you plan to fish regularly with two or three guests up front (depending on your water), the Hill boat has the greater capacity to handle the load. On the other hand, if its just you and another guest, sometimes two, then that piece of history will serve you well.

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Permalink Reply by Troy Nicolls on March 14, 2013 at 7:03am

Thank you Roger! Your explanation will be very helpful in my decision. I figured Dons plans would be a little different, but I wasn't sure in what respect. Part of the reason to build new might have something to do with capacity for an additional person. The other is just to build another boat. I built the trapper from plans in your book and it turned out perfect. My son and daughter-in-law have caught many steelhead from that boat. Thank you for the very best boat building book I have in my collection.