Original McKenzie Light Board and Batten Drift Boat
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$695 U.S. Plus shipping
Description
Heavily timbered board and batten boats plied Oregon's McKenzie River through the 1920s. One man tired of these heavy boats and built a light, portable board and batten boat in 1925. He was preacher and guide Veltie Pruitt. The model is 13" long and 5" across. Veltie and Prince Helfrich pioneered Oregon's wild rivers in this boat in the 1920s and 30s. As a board and batten this model is the most demanding to craft among the McKenzies. To the extent possible we use the materials that appeared in the first boat. Do you notice the bore in the oar blade? Some early riverboat builders did this to reduce hydraulic pressures on the blade. In fact, the practice actually served to weaken the oar.
Roger Fletcher at the River's Touch
2353 East Ellendale, Dallas, OR 97338
503.623.8275 8-5 weekdays PT