McKenzie River Drift Boat Video

One of my customers sent me a link to this great youtube video all about wooden drift boats. It's great. Thanks Scott.

New Homebuilt Boat Photo Galleries added to Web Site

By popular demand, I've added boat photo galleries to some of the boat plans on the main web site for your viewing pleasure. I don't have enough photos of some of the boats yet, so if you've built one of my boats please send in pictures. Here are links to the new photo galleries:

http://spirainternational.com/hg_mack.html
http://spirainternational.com/hg_ozar.html
http://spirainternational.com/hg_cana.html
http://spirainternational.com/hg_yuko.html
http://spirainternational.com/hg_june.html
http://spirainternational.com/hg_glou.html
http://spirainternational.com/hg_caro.html
http://spirainternational.com/hg_hatt.html
http://spirainternational.com/hg_miss.html

Construction begun on 34' St. Pierre Dory

I'm nearly finished with the plans for two new Grand Banks style (St. Pierre) dories. One is a 32' x 10' and the other, it's bigger brother at 34'x12' The person I originally did the plans for was eager to get started on the larger of the two, the 34 footer, so I've been sending him drawings as they are completed. One week and he has many of the ribs finished, so he's not wasting any time at all. He's also blogging about the construction. Here's a link with pictures: http://www.shugarbear.blogspot.com/ Check it out!

Spira Boats Now on Facebook

I just set up a new Facebook page for Spira International Easy-to-build boat designs called Spira Boats. Stop by, check it out and sign up as a friend.

Spira Boats

Create Your Badge

I uploaded a whole slew of pictures, too, many of which have never been published before on my site or blog.

New Oysterman Carolina Dory Launched

Jeff Frankel from up the the San Francisco Bay era of California just launched his Spira International Oysterman Carolina dory. He did a great job on it too. Here's an excerpt from the email he just sent me:

It’s done! I put an old 25HP merc outboard on it and that way enough power. It’s hot flat and glassy on San Francisco Bay this week. I’m going to try water skiing behind it if I can find a ski tomorrow. Thanks for all of your help along the way.

I'm sure Jeff's in for hours of fun in his new boat. Nice paint scheme too!

New Mission Bay Ultralight Stitch and Glue Boat Launched

The builder did an excellent job on this 11' Mission Bay ultralight stitch and glue boat built exactly to plan. These easy to build boats can be put together in a couple of weekends by anyone with moderate competence using hand and hand-help power tools. This hull weighs only about 70 lbs so can be lifted on the roof of a small car or SUV, and launched in any lake, stream, bay or the ocean. This model will handle three people with ease too. Check out the free downloadable study plans for this and other boat designs on the main site using the link to the right.

New Home Built Boat - Hatteras V-Bottom Dory Launched

I just got these photos of a newly launched Hatteras v-bottom dory built from my plans:



It was built by Tom Bashaw. Great Job, Tom!

Here's Tom's e-mail that accompanied his photos:

Hey, Jeff.
Thought I'd send you some pic's of the vee bottom Hatteras. I get more compliments on this boat than any boat I've owned. People love it and most think it's an old restoration, too funny. I launched it on 8/9/09. I was impressed how well it handles. I put 115 hp Evinrude on it. I picked it up for nothing and rebuilt it so I couldn't beat the cost.... hp wise it's a bit much, but weight is just a over 300lbs so it's fine. Hope all is well and thanks for designing such beautiful boats.

Tom