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David L. Darnell

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Classic Wooden River Boat
« on: February 05, 2008, 08:17:14 AM »
back in the 60's, my dad worked in Shelbyville at the Ford dealer, he worked a half day on Saturdays, brother and I would get to go to work with dad on Saturday (try that today with the insurance laws) and go float the Duck River with his best bud from work. Alvis had a 13.5' "custom built" wooden jon.

As I've gotten older and maybe a little wiser, I figured why the young lad (me) got to go along and never fish, I was the water bailer, but I enjoyed it tremendously.  I could handle a Maxwell coffee can with the best of them for a 10 year old. Red's boat was not glassed or epoxied in any way.

I went over to his farm about 5 years ago and took photos and measured the boat I rode in, he's since retired it and got another.

I've had a major itch that I can't seem to scratch all my life for a wooden river boat. Does anyone have any pictures or web links they would care to share. Figure 2008 is the year to build something and see if I can scratch that itch.

I want something that I can rig up with a trolling motor and draft very little water, will be my Elk River boat.
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MikeA

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Re: Classic Wooden River Boat
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2008, 09:30:15 AM »
There are some guys over on Zach's site www.ItinerantAngler.Com that are into boat building big time. I'd post over there if you haven't already. Good luck!
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RonS

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Re: Classic Wooden River Boat
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2008, 01:42:15 PM »
Woodsman,

I've had the itch to build my own boat for a long time.

I plan on building a wooden drift boat this spring/summer.

I'll send you an email with some info that I found, soon as I find the bookmarks.

Good luck!!
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Yesterday, I was at the bottom. I was at the bottom of a valley, in the river. Then my eyes hiked up the mountains to the snow capped peaks. I thought, "When I am at this lowest place I can be, standing in a river, everything is looking up."

Rockyraccoon

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Re: Classic Wooden River Boat
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2008, 02:31:38 PM »
One of the guides I work with, Tony Wilson, Built his driftboat many years ago.

He used plans from greg tatman boats I think.

It's a beautiful boat and rows like a dream. It's a little smaller than the typical 16' river boat, but still roomy enough for three people.

Wooden boats are killer because they have the beauty of wood and are living links to the past.
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Glenn Hawkins

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Re: Classic Wooden River Boat
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2008, 04:48:20 PM »
Check out Don Hill.  www.dhdriftboats.com
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dleo6446

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Re: Classic Wooden River Boat
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2008, 08:45:01 PM »
here ya go...plans for a wooden jon boat@@@@

http://www.vintageprojects.com/boats/jon-boat-plans-build.html
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RonS

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Re: Classic Wooden River Boat
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2008, 09:15:45 PM »
Here's the wooden jon boat I was thinking of for Woodsman.  There's an 8 foot version and a 12 foot version.

http://www.butlerprojects.com/boats/john/index.htm

I have talked with Paul Butler a couple of times during my research. He assures me this method is easy and doesn't require trim carpenter skills.

I told him I was more of a "framer skill" carpenter. When I measure stuff, if it's within an 1/8th of an inch, it's close enough.  ;D

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Yesterday, I was at the bottom. I was at the bottom of a valley, in the river. Then my eyes hiked up the mountains to the snow capped peaks. I thought, "When I am at this lowest place I can be, standing in a river, everything is looking up."
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