The hull came together just like the plans said they would. Things pretty much lined up without adjustments needing to be made. "That 'll do."
The cross-boards helped to keep the frames flush with the bottom chine.
My rafting strap kit came in handy for holding things together while the frames were fastened to the hull with ring nails.
The bow frames took some extra effort to get into place. I should have fastened those first... just like the directions said. Yup, I should have read those first.
Fun moment, fairing the base of the bowpost.
Not so even or fair but that 'll do!
Whitewater bulkheads made from driftwood.
Lookin' boat-like. Not pretty but strong as an ox.
Whitewater decks installed and a coat or 3 of Oil, Varnish, Turpentine.
Whitewater hatches, check. Driftwood hand rails, check. Goudy flowers to make her a bachelorette boat, check.
Driftwood foot braces.
Driftwood trim.
Driftwood transom.
Ugly but good.
I sure hope these hatches are big enough to carry all our beer.
Some of the hardware like the bow and stern eye came from a store in Anacortes, WA that salvages from all the boat yards there. Really cool, really cheap.
The bailing buckets and stern lines also came from beach/ ocean drift.
It's a little off, but so am I and so are the trip passengers... a perfect fit.
Looks like it'll float. Wondering how fast it will leak. The bilge pump is already packed.
You'd think all that decking was built to keep it afloat in the whitewater, but you'd be wrong. It was built so that you can sleep on the boat at night. Thats the best part of the trip in my book.
Fast forward to the pack up and trip to the river. Fellow tripod member finds our route. Check out the rickety drift wood trailer. Yes, it held up the whole way!
I don't know why I put all that work into building a boat when we could have just gone down on a log. Oh well, you live and learn.
Our bachelorette and passenger Sabastian aprove of the driftwood dory's slighly leaky but nimble lines
Inflatable man for safety, check.
metallic unitard, check.
Captain's hat and veil, check.
Leopard print pin stripping, check.
Yeah, I think we've got everything. Lets head downstream!
She's just so darn cute. I couldn't add the driftwood boat to the bonfire. I think she'll last another season. Then I'll have to put her down.
Well, the drift wood dory actually held up better than expected so we kept it for another season. The drift wood trailer however did achieve its destiny as a fuel source for a rip roaring bonfire party.
The Exodus aka the Love Boat carries the bride to be down stream.
The satsified boat builder.
