Drift Boats as Fine Furniture and Decorative Pieces |
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I have long been interested in
crafting drift boats as furniture. To-date, I have done coffee and display tables. The boat
tables are crafted in two sizes to the lines of the original McKenzie double-ender
with a transom. Dimensions are OAL 48 and OAL 60-inches respectively. To the
extent possible they are built using the same material as went into the
original boat. Fasteners, however, are contemporary: stainless steel, silcone bronze and brass.
The table models are commissioned and a buyer must allow 3 to 4 months
for completion. Oh. And they float.
Imagine that! Any person who is interested in a piece should contact
me directly for details.
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Commissioned prices:
Direct inquiries or comments to me by email or phone (503 559 0204 |
Display, Coffee or End Table Description |
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McKenzie double-ender with transom |
Inlay glass can serve as an end or coffee table |
Clear glass option |
One friend's suggestion |
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The Crafting Process |
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I built a jig to scale in order to retrieve the side panel dimensions. Here, I'm comparing frames placements. | Chine log, bottom panel and chine caps installed, and now setting the rails. Used 3/32nd-inch Miranti for this boat. Am using SB and brass fasteners. | As with the full size boat, the devil is in the details -- even more so at this scale. I am striving for both quality and replication. Except for the Okoume panels and table top glass, the wood used is the same as went into the originals | My original intent was to create a scaled mold form for the oarlocks and make them out of brass or bronze. But wood is good and I choose to hand carve the oarlocks. | Slightly bronzed glass nicely accents the interior details. On this particular stand, the boat stands 16-inches at the sheer amidships. Interior is oiled. Exterior paint was my wife, Sue's choice. | ||||
Pleased customers
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I choose 4 mm Okoume for the panels. I had to beef up the frames just a dight. | As many of you have discovered, rub rails are a pain in the tail to install correctly unless applied before the bottom panel is laid out. The aesthetics are pleasant, but their function is limited. | Oarlocks are hand carved, epoxied and painted metallic gold paint to replicate the real thing. Oars are also hand crafted and wrapped. The attention to detail is very time-consuming. She's a beauty. | My good friend, Dynamite Payson, exclaimed one time that I didn't have both oars in the water when considering this project. He was a practical, down-to-earth guy. Me? I'm a bit of a romantic. Can't help myself. | Dr. Bill Girsch, and his studio coffee table, the 4-foot version. This boat carries a satin finish inside and out. | |||||
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The Book |
Plans |
Models |
Origins |
Re-Creations |
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McKenzies |
Friends (links) |
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Dories |
Educational Discount Package | |||||||
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