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11-17-2021, 04:43 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 542
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Who has built a drift boat?
So I’ve been thinking I’m going to attempt to build a drift boat as a winter project. A 16 foot Mackenzie river drift boat to be exact. Anybody on here built one?
I’m starting to gather all the materials right now and will likely start it next month hopefully finish it before spring. Don’t do much fishing but I’ll give it a go, if I don’t use it I guess I can always sell it. It should keep me occupied during the cold months though.
One thing I can’t seem to find easily though is a drift boat trailer - at least not locally.
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11-17-2021, 05:45 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Provost
Posts: 5,009
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We're gonna need regular updates....and pictures, pictures! Good luck!
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11-18-2021, 04:51 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,050
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I know a couple of buddies that have built drifters, none on here except Tungsten. He made a small 2 man skiff drifter.
I have owned a couple of drifters over my time and have contemplated building a new one myself. Not out of plywood though, id use Divinicell (sp?) foam.
What are you using for the build?
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11-18-2021, 05:07 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 542
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayhad
I know a couple of buddies that have built drifters, none on here except Tungsten. He made a small 2 man skiff drifter.
I have owned a couple of drifters over my time and have contemplated building a new one myself. Not out of plywood though, id use Divinicell (sp?) foam.
What are you using for the build?
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Okoume plywood for the hull and fir for the frames.
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11-19-2021, 11:52 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 14
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A buddy and I built one 20 years ago.
It was a stitch and glue boat with fiberglass over plywood,
Turned out pretty good as we fished out of it for 15 years.
If you want to hook up for a coffee and a BS I'd be happy to.
Good luck with your build
Brunsie
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11-19-2021, 01:50 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 373
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushmaster
We're gonna need regular updates....and pictures, pictures! Good luck!
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X2
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11-19-2021, 02:05 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brunsie
A buddy and I built one 20 years ago.
It was a stitch and glue boat with fiberglass over plywood,
Turned out pretty good as we fished out of it for 15 years.
If you want to hook up for a coffee and a BS I'd be happy to.
Good luck with your build
Brunsie
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It is a fine boat still to this day! Many memories fishing out of that beauty!
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11-19-2021, 09:19 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,081
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Sounds like excellent project. Good luck 👍.
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04-04-2022, 06:19 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 542
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Update
Well- a little update-
Basically “slow progress” Between work, life and everything in between I haven’t completed as much as I would have liked so far, but it is what it is. However to date I’ve got the hull formed, frames installed and maybe tomorrow I’ll install the chines. Then the next step will be to put the bottom on.
It’s slow going- everything is long and awkward when working alone. Not to mention limited space in the garage means there’s ALWAYS something in the way that needs to be moved! I have a few pics but no way to post them.
Picked up a 30lb anchor, and shopping for a transom anchor mount right now as well as oars.
Anybody on here with a 16 foot drift boat? What oar length are you using? I’m guessing 9 footers.
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04-06-2022, 10:23 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 930
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16 footer here and I have 9 footers. Look forward to seeing your boat pics sometime.
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04-06-2022, 11:21 AM
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AO Sponsor
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Airdrie, AB and Part Time BC
Posts: 2,996
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Newf
Well- a little update-
Basically “slow progress” Between work, life and everything in between I haven’t completed as much as I would have liked so far, but it is what it is. However to date I’ve got the hull formed, frames installed and maybe tomorrow I’ll install the chines. Then the next step will be to put the bottom on.
It’s slow going- everything is long and awkward when working alone. Not to mention limited space in the garage means there’s ALWAYS something in the way that needs to be moved! I have a few pics but no way to post them.
Picked up a 30lb anchor, and shopping for a transom anchor mount right now as well as oars.
Anybody on here with a 16 foot drift boat? What oar length are you using? I’m guessing 9 footers.
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Nice man! Keep shooting me pics!
__________________
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04-06-2022, 04:16 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,050
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Newf
Anybody on here with a 16 foot drift boat? What oar length are you using? I’m guessing 9 footers.
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That's about right unless you have a fairly wide boat, my current drifted is 16' with 92" between the tunnels so I use 10' shafts
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04-08-2022, 04:33 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 698
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayhad
I know a couple of buddies that have built drifters, none on here except Tungsten. He made a small 2 man skiff drifter.
I have owned a couple of drifters over my time and have contemplated building a new one myself. Not out of plywood though, id use Divinicell (sp?) foam.
What are you using for the build?
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Tungsten did build a lovely boat indeed. I was the lucky fellow who bought it!
Sadly, a fire consumed it this past January while the boat was being stored. Sucks losing a custom-made, one of kind boat. 
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04-08-2022, 05:47 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 542
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smitty9
Tungsten did build a lovely boat indeed. I was the lucky fellow who bought it!
Sadly, a fire consumed it this past January while the boat was being stored. Sucks losing a custom-made, one of kind boat.
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Looks like he did a great job!
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05-12-2022, 08:26 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Newf
Looks like he did a great job!
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Agreed! Looks great!
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04-12-2023, 12:50 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 542
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Boat build complete!
Well folks after a long time the drift boat build is complete. Between, work, life and everything in between it took me a year to get it done. But it’s done. I’ve got a couple pics to share but not sure how to get them on here.
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04-12-2023, 12:59 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: My House
Posts: 13,458
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Here you go...
Fine boat my son!    
Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
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04-12-2023, 01:04 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 8,303
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sns2
Here you go...
Fine boat my son!
Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk |
Beautiful Drifter. Well done.
BW
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04-12-2023, 01:07 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: My House
Posts: 13,458
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One more 
Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
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04-12-2023, 01:13 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ontario~looking west
Posts: 1,170
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There is a pretty well-known fly fishing guide here in Ontario named Ken Chandler, I've met him and have seen this boat, but I've never fished from it.
There may be more info in the (video?) link, but have a look if you're interested;
https://flyfishontario.ca/fly-fishin...r-profile.html
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04-13-2023, 11:32 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 57
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Newf, that looks like a beauty!! Any estimate on hours spent on it? And what boat plan did you use. I have always thought of doing one myself but just not sure yet.
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04-13-2023, 12:47 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 542
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jacobmu
Newf, that looks like a beauty!! Any estimate on hours spent on it? And what boat plan did you use. I have always thought of doing one myself but just not sure yet.
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I’m guessing 150-200 hours of work altogether. If a guy had decent amount of space and someone to help regularly, it could be done quicker for sure. The problem I ran into was that in my garage there was ALWAYS something in the way and I had to move it. Plus with everything being 18 feet long or so it’s too long and awkward to handle alone and needed someone to give me a hand. Not to mention several times I had to wheel the planer or tablesaw to the driveway to get enough room to mill whatever piece of lumber I was working on.
I used plans from a book called Drift Boats and River Dories by Roger Fletcher.
I’m actually thinking about listing this one for sale….the way things are shaping up with my schedule I won’t get to use it anyway.
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04-14-2023, 11:56 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 24,577
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That’s a great looking boat, selling it you will regret it, store it for when things slow down and you got time to enjoy your hand crafted vessel!
You have started to make memories and many stories so hang onto it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent... 
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04-14-2023, 08:56 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 14
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Well done. Nice looking boat.
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04-18-2023, 02:13 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 930
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I have been seeing the updates over the work period as well and that is great craftmanship or craftpersonship!!!!
A fine vessel indeed. Crack a beer across ...... maybe a can so no glass!!!
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