Drift Boat Plans
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Drift Boat Plans For Building A
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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, as well as 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. See specifications below. |
The plans are a complete set of 24 pages of orthographic drawings showing every detail of the parts needed to build a McKenzie River Drift Boat. Detailed layouts of all parts, bolt and screw sizes and patterns. With each set of plans we include 4 sheets of tracing patterns that are for pieces that are too hard to describe in drawings, a 24 page assembly manual with 88 photos and video download, in which Don narrates the building of a boat, showing you how to construct the boat, from start to finish. These plans show every dimension, angle, materials and all hardware needed for the boat builder. Links and info for scarfing the plywood are included, it is not as difficult as it sounds. The boats are built the traditional way entirely with wood. Simply make all the parts per the layouts in the plans and put them together using the video and manual as guides. Rib frame construction, no tracing patterns for hull or ribs needed, no stitch and glue, no fiberglass is used. No strong back or any sort of form is needed, only the usual wood working tools. NO LOFTING OR LAYOUTS REQUIRED! Help with understanding the plans and construction is available! US Coast Guard capacity label included. |
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Testimonial by Andrew Richter
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Materials & Tools |
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All the designs call for marine plywood, 1/4" for the hull and 1/2" for the bottom (except 3/8" for 10' Mini). Scarfing the plywood will be needed. Links and info for scarfing the plywood are included, it is not as difficult as it sounds. Find marine plywood by searching on net for "marine plywood (your state)". • Hull - 4' x 18' (3 - 4' x 8' sheets for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips) 4 total • Bottom - 5' x 15' (3 - 4' x 8' sheets for bottom & 1 sheet for floor boards) 4 total • Hull - 4' x 17' (3 - 4' x 8' sheets for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips) 4 total • Bottom - 5' x 15' (3 - 4' x 8' sheets for bottom & 1 sheet for floor boards) 4 total • Hull - 4' x 16' (3 - 4' x 8' sheets for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips, can be built to with 2 sheets) 4 total • Bottom - 4' x 14' (2 sheets for bottom & 1 sheet for floor boards) 3 total • Hull - 4' x 14' (2 - 4' x 8' sheets for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips) 3 total • Bottom - 4' x 12' (2- 4' x 8' sheets for bottom & 1 sheet for floor boards) 3 total • Hull - 4' x 10' (2- 4' x 8' sheets for hull & 1 sheet for rub strips) 3 total • Bottom - 4' x 8" x 3/8" (1 sheet for bottom & 1 sheet for floor boards) 2 total
Any hardwood will do for the handrails and ribs etc, Oak is fine but I recommend White Ash. Any marine plywood will work but Meranti or Hydrotek is the most cost effective. Oakume works well and Sapele makes a beautiful boat but is expensive and a bit heavier. Marine epoxy - Don recommends coating the hull and bottom pieces both sides with marine epoxy after they are cut. It seals real good and adds strength to the plywood. If you plan to stain the hull, you will want to do that first before scarfing the plywood. West System is the best and they have great info on applying it, but there are others like Totalboat.com. A gallon or so will do for a 16' standard. Finishes - Use good marine urethane varish or marine paint with good UV holdout, you will be sorry if you use cheap stuff. Look at bottom of page. UHMW plastic is sometimes used on the bottom of boats but putting it on is a tough job and if not done correctly will destroy the bottom of the boat. I recommend Coat-It, it is remarkable stuff. Look at bottom of page. Stainless steel screws and bolts, square drive screws are best. 3M 5200 caulking (2 tubes) for the bottom chine battens. Amazing stuff, will not degrade, statys a bit flexible and does not dry out.
Tools needed would be a table saw, variable speed reversable drill, belt sander, hand saw, 5 6" Clamps, skill saw, adjustable #8 counter synk and screw driver bits for drill. A chop saw is handy. Other useful tools that can be rented for the short time you use them are an electric planer, router and saber saw.
Cost - I have heard of boats being built for $250 out of construction grade materials, but I think you would want something better looking and of better quality after putting in the work to build a boat which will take about 150 hours give or take. $900 to $1200 should build a fine boat.
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The ModelsPlans w/Construction Manual &
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To Order The Video Separately
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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' 9" 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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17 Foot Fly Fisherman - Model 17FF |
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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. |
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16 Foot Standard Guide - Model 16ST |
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Kenny King, the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame Oregon Guide, used Don's 16' Standard for The 16 foot Standard Guide Model is the good old workhorse of boats. Don Hill has guided the Deschutes, the Rogue, and all coastal and central Oregon 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. | |
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. Call 619.784.6447 9am to 6pm PST To Order |
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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. |
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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. The wide end is the bow and points down river, angle one corner into the wave when going over drops or wave trains. |