DH Wood boat Build

[BroncoIIfan]

Hello all,

I am usually a hunter, but I do enjoy fishing. Anways, I am starting to do some research about drift boats and have always admired wood drift boats. I noticed several Don Hill drift boats for sale recently and decided to find some info about him and found his website. Anyways, I kind of am in the mood for a project and found on his site that he sells plans to build some of his driftboats. I was wondering if anybody here has built one of his or someone else's wood boats? Any information such as time tables, equipment/tools needed, recommendations etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[James in Idaho]

Get your hands on Rodger Fletcher's book on drift boat and drift boat history. He's got a well diagramed chapter on building a traditional drift boat, and several sets of plans. As far as tools, a table saw is pretty handy as is a RO sander. A couple of real sharp planes, accruate square and an adjustable bevel. Anything else is just gravy. Oh yeah, I really, really like Ray Heater boats, the shop is in Portland. Do a google on wood drift boats, you'll find lots.

[Got One!]

I build this one a few years ago:

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/inside2.jpg (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/33863)

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/db.jpg (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/21555)

It was from a Greg Tatman kit. www.gregboats.com (http://www.gregboats.com) It wasn't too hard to build, I had to have extra hands a few times (bending the bottom and sides). Took around 50-60 hours total.

It was really water friendly, but for a word of advice, don't build it to sell it you will only get your $$ back. People are in my opinion unjustifiably afraid of wood boats for some reason. It was Sepelle ply, absolutely gorgeous (If I dont say so myself) I just didnt use it enough...and only allowed one toy :whistle: so off it went. If you do build a kit make sure to screw some UHMV to the bottom, it will make the bottom almost indestructible...and uhmv floats. (adds weight on land but not in the water)

I can also say with his kit instructions, read them 1st...twice...then build, he has a few "if you didnt do this 1st you should have cause its a lot harder now" items in there, after thoughts as it were.

[Tinman]

I've built two small boats (a Glen-L jonboat and a traditional 15' sharpie skiff). Both were plywood-on-frame construction. They were able craft, but I certainly did not save any money building my own. By the time I paid for quality fasteners (bronze or stainless), marine plywood, glue, fiberglass and fittings I did not save any money compared to buying a factory boat.

That being said, I love wooden boats. Build one and enjoy it, but realize you won't save any money. And, as Got One said, you won't be able to sell it for much.

[Got One!]

I think as Tinman was alluding to, it was quite fulfilling to build it. For me not having worked with wood for years, I have to say, that was a really enjoyable project. I didn't make a dime over parts, but the enjoyment of the build and the finished product was priceless. I'm very glad I built it and I brought it down most of the Siletz, and a lot of the Santiam without issue. Hard to beat a wood boat on the oars.

[de291]

I have built a Don Hill boat from plans and it is not to hard if you are handy with the tools mentioned above. His plans are complete and include building instructions and a construction video that is very helpful.
My wife and I really enjoy this boat.

[CRD4Liberty]

Just like any other wood boat there is additional upkeep also to keep them looking nice. Safe because of their natural floatation qualities. Quiet on the water.