Building the McKenziac

$950.00

A Fretwater Adaptation

Hands on workshop from loft to launch

Evening of July 12 through– Friday, July 17

· Tuition: $950

· Class limit is twelve (12) students.

· Taught by Cricket and Glade Zarn, and Brad Dimock of Fretwater Boatworks

· Experience level: Beginner

· Activity level: Moderate

· Boat stats: An open solo McKenzie River dory: 9’ 2 ¾” long, 83” beam amidship; 42 ¾” breadth amidship at chine, with a 9” rocker fore to aft.

The Fretwater crew—Cricket and Glade Zarn, along with Brad Dimock—will kick things off Sunday evening with introductions, orientation, and lofting the McKenziac design full-size. Over the course of the week, two of these sporty McKenziacs will take shape. Students will expand the patterns and then build the frames, transom, and stem. You’ll learn to scarf marine plywood into full-size side and bottom panels. By midweek, the hulls will begin to rise as they’re assembled and fitted with chines and gunwales. By Friday, the shop will be humming—fitting seats and floorboards, brushing on final coats of oil and paint. Along the way, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to build your own McKenzie River drift boat, her larger Grand Canyon cousin, or nearly any similar craft. Fretwater will also teach the essential skills of maintenance, storage, and repair—so what you build will endure for years to come. With luck you’ll launch Friday evening. And by the luck of the draw, two students will take a McKenziac home for the cost of materials.

The McKenziac has historic roots and a creative spirit. It’s a thoughtful adaptation of the McKenzie River drift boat—designed for the solo river hand. Small but mighty, it carries a light footprint yet holds steady in big water. It’s compact, lively, and surprisingly powerful. It looks mild but moves fast. It carries what you need, slips through narrow entries, and delivers impressive performance. And it does it all with a wink.

 

12 in stock

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Description

With the 2007 publication of Roger Fletcher’s Drift Boats & River Dories, these highly maneuverable shallow-draft boats have undergone a great surge in popularity. Originally designed as fishing boats on Oregon’s McKenzie and Rogue rivers, these boats have been adapted for the Grand Canyon, and these connections have brought Roger, MRDC, Hayes Custom Boats and the Fretwater crew together as kindred spirits to keep alive the honored traditions of building such boats and by passing on these skills. This class will be held in workshop space on the McKenzie at the home ranch of one of our well-known McKenzie Guides, Roy Pruitt in Vida. Though he has passed, his generous wife, Shelly is providing the space as well as camping options on the property. The 2020 Holiday Farm fire that devastated 170,000 acres along the McKenzie River also struck the Pruitt property. In its aftermath, and as a tribute to Roy, Shelly built his dream shop space – space in which you will build this spunky little McKenziac.

Registration, Tuition, Cancellation

Registration and tuition are handled online. This 5-1/2 day workshop. To guarantee your spot, please add this item to your cart and checkout.

You will receive a confirmation email upon registration. If you must cancel or withdraw, the following policies apply:

· A full refund will be granted if you cancel not later than June 20.

· If your notice of cancellation or withdrawal is received after that date, your tuition is non-refundable. We suggest registrants consider trip insurance.

· In the event of an unforeseen emergency beyond anyone’s control, MRDC reserves the right to cancel the workshop. Registrants will receive a full refund.

Although lodging is on your own, a list of lodging options will accompany your confirmation notice after you register. Included will be camping options at the workshop site and others nearby. The McKenzie River is a very popular summer destination area, so secure your lodging arrangements early.

Additional information

Call for Questions

Due to 2025 construction at the McKenzie River Discovery, this class will be held in workshop space at a nearby property, the home ranch of one of our well-known McKenzie Guides, Roy Pruitt. Though he has passed, his generous wife, Shelly is providing the space as well camping options on the property. The 2020 Holiday Farm fire that devastated 170,000 acres along the McKenzie River also struck the Pruitt property. In its aftermath, and as a tribute to Roy, Shelly built his dream shop space – space in which you will build the new river dory adaptations.

For inquiries, contact the workshop coordinator at riverstouch@msn.com. Use McKenzie boat workshop in the subject line.

Hope to see you there.