Drift Boat Plans
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• PLEASE READ • |
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Don began his boat building career in the early 60's, hanging out in the shops of Tom Kaarhus (considered the father of the McKenzie Drift Boat) and his son Joe, then with Keith Steel and Woody Hindman. Don wanted to learn because he wanted to build a boat for himself. After that, it was building boats for his friends which then grew into his own boat building business. Don's early boats followed the design of Keith Steel boats. Then in the mid 80's Don made some innovative design changes to the angle of the bow and the flare on the sides, making the boat handle much easier in rapids and standing waves. You can tell a Don Hill boat by the angle on the bow. Don spent over 40 years building boats and fish guiding in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and these plans reflect all that experience. Don's good friend Kenny King, the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame Guide, used Don's boats for over 20 years. |
Over 40 years of research, design and testing and thousands of dollars have gone into the development of the Boat Plans and assembly manuals. There are no finer or more complete Drift Boat Plans available anywhere in the world today at any price. The plans are a complete set of orthographic drawings showing every detail of the parts needed to build a McKenzie River Drift Boat. These plans show every dimension, angle, materials and all hardware needed for the boat builder. Detailed layouts of all parts, bolt and screw sizes and patterns. With each set of plans we include 2 sheets of tracing patterns that are for pieces that are too hard to describe in drawings, an assembly manual and DVD video, which Don narrates the building of a boat, to aide in constructing the boat. The boats are built the traditional way entirely with wood, no fiberglass is used unless you want to cover the bottom and/or sides. No strong back or any sort of form is needed, only the usual wood working tools. |
Plans with Construction Video
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FREE SHIPPINGTo USA addresses serviceable by USPS 10' Mini Drifter Plans w/Video $80 Or Call 541.543.6867 To Order |
Specifications |
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Model |
Gunwale |
Center |
Beam |
Bottom |
Stern |
Transom |
Height at |
Boat |
Carrying |
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18FF |
18' |
16'1" |
84" |
55" |
40" |
27" |
23" |
375 |
1200 |
17FF |
17' |
15'10" |
82" |
54" |
36" |
27" |
24" |
350 |
1050 |
16HS |
16' |
14'8" |
75.5" |
48" |
39" |
24.5" |
27" |
270 |
850 |
16ST |
16' |
14'8" |
73" |
48" |
37" |
21.5" |
24" |
225 |
800 |
14ST |
14' |
12'10" |
67" |
48" |
32.5" |
20" |
22" |
180 |
650 |
10MD |
10' |
9'6" |
62" |
47" |
27" |
22" |
19" |
135 |
350 |
The Models |
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All the designs call for marine plywood, 1/4" for the hull and 1/2" for the bottom (except 10' Mini). • Hull - 4' x 18' (3 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips) • Bottom - 5' x 15' (3 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for floor boards) • Hull - 4' x 17' (3 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips) • Bottom - 55" x 15' (3 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for floor boards) • Hull - 4' x 16' (3 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips, can be built to with 2 sheets) • Bottom - 4' x 10' (2 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for floor boards) • Hull - 4' x 14' (2 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips) • Bottom - 4' x 12' (2 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for floor boards) • Hull - 4' x 10' (2 sheets of plywood for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips) • Bottom - 4' x 8" (3/8" plywood for hull & 1 sheet for floor boards)
Meranti is the recommended wood. Sapele makes a beautiful boat but is expensive and a bit heavier. Fir is OK but has a tendency to check as it ages. I don't recommend Oakum because it has weak compression strength. After you purchase the plans I will send links and info for scarfing. Find marine plywood by searching on net for "marine plywood (your state)".
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18 Foot Fly Fisherman - Model 18FF |
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This boat is designed by Don Hill for fly fishing the Deschutes and South Fork of the Snake Rivers. This is a big water craft with the unique design of carrying two passengers up front, one in the rear, as well as the oarsman. With a 1200 pound carrying capacity, there isn't much you'll have to leave behind on those drifts. With the big surface 4' 7" wide bottom and low sides, the craft rides higher in the water and is highly maneuverable. Designed with front deck and knee brace, 1/2 inch floorboards and sliding front seat for load balance. |
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This is the perfect size boat for guides or people who fish or take back country trips with one or two and gear. Specially designed for the fly fisherman with low sides, low bow, adjustable front seat, front deck and knee brace, 1/2 inch floorboards, sliding front seat for load balance and wide bottom for more stability. |
16 Foot Standard Guide - Model 16ST |
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This is the boat used by Kenny King, the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame Guide, for over 20 years. The 16 foot Standard Guide Model is the good old workhorse of boats. Don Hill has guided the Deschutes, the Rogue, and all coastal rivers in this model and he feels that it is the best all-round boat. The hull is constructed of a single piece of 1/4 inch 4' x 16' marine plywood with a one piece 4' x 14' 1/2 inch marine plywood bottom. Designed with front deck and knee brace, 1/2 inch floorboards and sliding front seat for load balance. |
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16 Foot High Side Guide - Model 16HS |
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It takes twice as much plywood for the hull as the 16' standard due to the height of the sides. Our 16 foot High Side Guide's Model has been specially designed for guides carrying heavier loads on small technical rivers while still retaining the strong, rugged construction features of the 16 foot Standard. |
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14 Foot Standard - Model 14ST |
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This lightweight and compact 14 foot Standard Model was custom designed by Don Hill. It's designed to be a highly controllable and maneuverable craft due mainly to the large surface area under the passenger seat. The bed of a full-size pickup will carry your 14 foot Standard where you want to go. Designed with front deck and knee brace, 1/2 inch floorboards and sliding front seat for load balance. |
10 Foot Mini Drifter Model 10MD |
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The 10 foot mini drifter has so many advantages, it's hard to list them all. It's the perfect one-man fishing boat, but two adults can comfortably stand and fish from the Mini Drifter. It's lightweight and easy to row, making it and ideal boat for beginners and an excellent boat for low water conditions. The Mini Drifter fits in the bed of a pickup or even inside a standard size van, so you won't need a boat trailer. |
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Boat Finishes, Sealers & Repair Materials |
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Drift Boat Cover
For Standard Boats up to 15' center line This Drift Boat Cover (shown above) is made from material comparable to Top Gun and will fit boats up to 16' gunnel length. Its sock front slips over bow and bottom to protect them from rocks. NEW LOWER PRICE! Price $280
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3-M 5200 CaulkingCrates a tuff flexible seal. 1 Cart Price $32 |
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