Spira 14' Canadian Drift Boat

[jameskey]

I have purchased the plans from Spira International to build the the 14' Canadian drift. I have the ribs built and attached to the Keelson. I am looking for help on the layout or details on how the bottom of the transom, chine log and keelson all join together. The transom frame measures 3.5" at the bottom and the keelsom measures 5.5". I have studied for several hours and drawing a blank. Thanks for any help James

Check out the pictures of our 1st build

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4393684182_7ff74586f7.jpg




http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4393682376_6b17cebc7a.jpg



More Pictures At http://www.flickr.com/photos/jameskey727/

[jerry bark]

I would send Jeff Spira an email or give him a call. He is a nice guy and could point you in the right direction, or perhaps send you a sketch.

If I were doing this, not having seen the plans, I would attach the transom so that the keelson is "inside" with the bottom of the keelson lined up on the lower edge of the inside of the transom. then I would use a batten on the frames and mark where the chine logs will go and cut back so that the chine logs go inside the transom and the keelson is notched into the chine log.

let me know how that boat handles, my friend wants to build one for himself.

cheers
jerry

[JimD]

Are you saying you only have 3.5 inches of transom on which to attach 5.5 inches of keelson, plus chine logs? I'd think you would taper the keelson so that the chine logs butted flush against it so that they all fit in the 3.5 inches available. You might want to taper the chine logs a bit and the keelson a little less, depending on the bend of the logs. Screw and glue them all to each other with epoxy.

[jameskey]

After a couple days studying and your help. I have it attached. Will post pictures soon.

[Thorne]

Looking forward to seeing the photos, sounds like a great boat and interesting build.

Here's how to post photos on this forum:

First - don't attach photos. Only a tiny version will display.

Second - Post the photos on the web. Use your own website, or a free image hosting service like www.flickr.com, picturetrail, photobucket, etc.

Once posted on the web, right-click the photo to copy the URL (web address). Always test first by pasting the photo URL into the location field (http:// ) of a web browser and see if the photo displays.

Third - once posted on the web, try this procedure while logged in to this Forum:

1. Click the "User CP" link in the browser window in the top left of the menu bar.

2. Click the "Edit Options" link about halfway down the left column.

3. At the bottom of the next page in "Misc Options", select "Enhanced Interface" from the pulldown list. Click the SAVE CHANGES button.

4. Once this interface has been selected, in any "Reply" window you can click the "insert photo" icon --> a little yellow square icon with the stamp in the upper right corner, the mountains in the lower center.

5. Once the little dialog box titled "Please enter the URL of your image" comes up, paste the URL of the photo in the Þeld.

TROUBLESHOOTING:
If unsure of the procedure, test first by pasting the photo URL into the location field (http:// ) of a web browser.

Remember, the PHOTO URL will end in .jpg, not .htm or html. URLs ending in .htm are the page that the image is on, not the photo location itself. If the photo URL ends in other code, try deleting everything after the "xxxxxx.jpg" part of the URL to get it to display on web forums.

[openboater]

here's a good source of driftboat info

http://www.woodenboatpeople.com/

[Frank R]

James, I was going to recommend that you talk to a guy that actually built one. I checked the Washington Fly Fishing Forum and it looks like you already posted there.

Have you been in contact with the member named The Famous Grouse directly? Click on his name and send him a PM.

[David Winnett]

hi james, greetings from a fellow drift boat builder, i also ordered a set of plans from spira and was intimidated by the lack of detail, i ended up bying a book on traditional drift boats and am trying to follow a set of plans for a small double ender, had to email the author once and ask for assistance and he responded immediatly, good luck, by the way where are you from anywhere close to northern california?

[jameskey]

Louisville Kentucky. Had a great day working on the boat. My son and I have completed the frame work. Next step I think its called fairing. I will be sanding the ribs to fit the plywood flush. I have been taking lots of pictures will try to post later tonite.

[jameskey]

New question. What type of plywood ? Painted finish.

[jerry bark]

Great start James, thanks for the pics!

as for plywood, I would go for either hydrotek meranti, or okuome. I used hydrotek on my kayak and had good luck with it, but you must cut slowly and use fine toothed blades in your jigsaw or you will get lots of splinters along the cut. I would then coat it with three coats of epoxy, just enough on each coat to wet it out, and then prime and paint. the epoxy will really improve the waterproofing.

My 13 year old son and I are going to start a fishing boat for him and his pals to use on the lake where we live and I will be using the hydrotek/epoxy/paint approach on it.

good luck
jerry