Anybody know a boatbuilder in Portugal?

[Dale R. Hamilton]

Wife and I have it in mind to row an open boat 100 miles or so down the River Douro in Portugal- Stopping of course at the various port wine vinyards that dot these shores. We have done this sort of thing before in England, Scotland and Ireland- and find it a delightful way to meet people and explore the countryside. The boat of course is critical- must be wood, must be native, and must be reasonably fitted to the task. Experience has taught us that the best way to get a boat is to borrow it from a local boatbuilder. Being a boatbuilder myself, this is usually not a problem. So how about it- anybory know a builder in Portugal?

[Dale R. Hamilton]

WHOA-stop! Don't anybody go to portugal with the intention of rowing the Douro. It seems as they want the equivalent of $700 US dollars per week to rent you a wooden rowing boat. And thats not all. If you don't have a license to use the river- you must take along a "skipper" who does- paying him the equivalent od $100/day, plus room, food,- and of course you do the rowing. Steer well clear of the money grubbers- We'll ho to Holland for a little canal rowing. Anybody been to Holland?