Woodie Hindman is generally credited with perfecting the McKenzie River Drift Boat in the late 1940s. For this class, we will be building one or two replicas of Woodie’s Last Boat (depending on number of participants). We will start with the measurements we refined with Roger Fletcher, then draw and perfect the lines full size on a lofting table. From there we will build all the parts–transom, frames, bowpost, and side panels. Then we will assemble the boat(s), affix the bottom, roll it (them) up, install gunwales and seats and voila! If we can find a suitable piece of river nearby, we may even get to float them. At the end of the course, whoever is interested in owning a boat will throw their name in a hat and the winner(s) will take them home for the cost of materials.

Registration opens at 8AM MST, January 6. The first ten emails dated after 8AM (not before) to braddimock@fretwater.com will get in–after that there will be a waiting list. At that point we’ll direct you to the payment portal: 50% down, the remainder due February 28. Cancellations 30 days prior to the course will get a 75% refund. After that, the deposit is forfeited, due to the difficulty of refilling the spot on short notice. For scholarships and more information: Fretwater Boatworks