Some of you knew Jonnyhook and I have been building a wooden drift boat. We homeschool Jon, so this was a project we embarked on over a year ago for a project, kinda like shop. We decided to build a small boat, a 12' Mini Mac kit from Rays River Dories so we could do it all in my overstuffed garage! Yesterday we launched the little gal for the first time! We took her down to Bonney Lake for a shakedown cruise and some rowing practice.
Here is a pictorial gallery of our progress:
Just getting started - attaching the sides to the bow.
Sides and transom on and the ribs clamped in.
Fishcaddie and I preparing to put the bottom on (a little tall and messy for Jon).
Fiberglass ready to go on the bottom.
Gunwale clamped in.
The shell complete.
Jon bolting the seats in.
Jon in the "staging" area while building a rack in the truck to haul it.
Ready to launch.
First fish in the boat! Much larger ones to follow soon, I hope!
All in all a very fun project! Someday I may build a larger one as this tops out at two. I don't know how much I'll use it for steelies, but definitely for salmon. Interestingly I've never even been in a drift boat before, so I have much learning to do!!!
Thanks for looking and go fishing!!!
Jeff
