Experience with this boat design?

[RandallG]

Does anyone have experience with this design or one similar to it? This desing is 9'6 with a 4'7 beam. What did you think? Very stable? Good for 2 people and some camping gear on a moving river?If you know of a link to a similar plan please let me know about it! Thanks!!!

[RandallG]

Forgot to add the link for it.
http://www.selway-fisher.com/Mcup16.htm#RIER
Little Harrier design. Thanks!

[Keith Wilson]

Humph! The Brits wouldn't know a dory if it came up and bit them on the leg. It sure ain't a dory, but it looks a lot like a small version of the ubiquitous johnboat, in wood instead of aluminum. Even though Rob White calls them "honky drownders", you sure see a lot of folks fishing out of them.

[garland reese]

Ray's River Dories (http://www.raysriverdories.com/)

Don Hill's River Dories (http://www.dhdriftboats.com/index4.html)

That Selway Fisher skiff seems a bit small and precarious for your intentions. Have you looked at the small drift boats (should be more stable and more "purpose built")? Ray's designs have a large transom, so perhaps even the smallest one could take a very small motor. Are you planning on trips on the White River? I bought a flyrod a couple of seasons ago (not bamboo...) I cast like I dance, which is to say........LOUSY!! :D
Good luck in your search. I bet others will have some sound advice.

[RandallG]

Thanks for the input guys. I have decided(final decision) on a 12 ft flat bottom Garvey design. Most of the guides on the White river use flat bottom boats. A few use drift boats as well. I chose the Garvey design because it is similar to a john boat but also has an upward slope on the bow end and will make for a nicer looking boat than a standard jon boat. At 5 ft wide,it should be relatively stable. Capable of at least a 10 hp motor. Most of the water I will be on will be fast moving slick water. Ordering the plans tomorrow. Hope to have it ready in a few weeks!! I am going to out fit it with knee/ casting support braces etc.Thanks for the help. Garland if you are ever up my way give me yell. We'll work on that casting. :>) Thanks!!

[Todd Bradshaw]

There seem to be a lot of differences from one Garvey plan to another, but you might see if you can find one that doesn't drag it's transom through the water, if such a thing exists. In fast water, if you are trying to make precise boat placements under oar power for fishing, it makes a drastic difference in how the boat handles. This is one reason why drift boats work so well. The rockered ends do more than just allow the boat to spin quickly but also allow you to ferry (row upstream with the boat angled to the current which causes it to hold it's position while moving across the river). The same thing can be done with a submerged transom boat, but you have to turn the boat so that the bow is pointing upstream first, which can at times be a pain and the eddies caused by the transom hinder the manuever. While you're at it, you might as well order a set of drift boat plans, too - because it sounds like you are a prime candidate for one even if it's not your first boat.