Construction of wooden skiffs near Hay River

[waterhawk]

Does anyone know if there is someone that builds wooden fishing skiffs at or near Hay River?

[Bushmaster]

I'm curious as to why you are inquiring? A friend of mine is just finishing building a wood skiff....he has seen them, been in them on Cree Lake Sk.

[waterhawk]

I am planning a trip down the Mackenzie starting the end of June. Wooden skiffs of the type I would like to take on the river are made in northern Saskatchewan. I just got back from Buffalo Narrows. There are guys there that will build a 18 foot skiff for around a $1000. This would be ideal for my trip. I would sell it or give it away in Inuvik and ship the motor south. The problem with buying one in northern Saskatchewan in the trucking costs to Hay River.

[Dog_River]

I would really like to see one of these. Can anyone post a photo or any other information ?

Thanks, Dog_River

[Bushmaster]

Next time I get the chance, I'll take a pic of the one my friend is building. It's 14.5 foot, I think.....

[waterhawk]

Originally Posted by Dog_River

I would really like to see one of these. Can anyone post a photo or any other information ?

Thanks, Dog_River

I am going back to Buffalo Narrows early in the new year. I will try to remember to take a picture of some of the boats that are pulled up on the shore. These are cool boats. There seem to be two types. One for lakes and one for rivers. The lake boats have a high sweeping prow. They are extremely heavy. They are built at different lengths, between 16 and 20 feet. They are used for netting fish and freighting goods. If built with marine plywood and looked after they should last for up to ten years. I was quoted about a $1000 to have one built. This price was probably without marine plywood.

[leeaspell]

I got a half finished 16 footer sitting in my yard, give ya a good deal on er

[Brian Bildson]

You won't find anyone making skiff's in Hay river anymore. There are folks there from Buffalo Narrows and many other northern fishing communities, living in the west channel. but the commercial fishing industry is mostly dead.