MRDC Boatbuilding Gallery

Celebrating the boats, the builders, and river traditions

The Workshop Team

Roger Fletcher, MRDC workshop coordinator; Brad Dimock, Cricket and Glade Zarn of Fretwater Boatworks; and Jayson Hayes of Hayes Custom Boats.

Our Workshop Host, Shelly Pruitt

Most of the workshops are held at “Campfire,” Shelly’s small ranch near Vida, in the shop built following the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire in memory of her husband, legendary McKenzie River guide Roy Pruitt.

This Summer’s 2026 Workshops

The McKenziac followed by The Open Chub

Led by the Fretwater Boatworks crew

In two separate workshops, participants worked side by side with the instructors, transforming sheets of plywood and carefully shaped wood into three distinctive riverboats: the McKenziac class built two one-person McKenziacs, while the Open Chub class built one larger Open Chub, a modified Briggs dory. By luck of the draw and for the price of materials, each boat went home with a class member.

In five minutes, follow the complete workshop build—from laying out the boat’s first lines to launching the finished McKenziac on the McKenzie.

Video by Kelly Wagoner

Many hands and careful teamwork — Many hands—and careful teamwork

McKenziac takes its first strokes on the river.

McKenziac nests inside the larger Open Chub

Instructors guide the Open Chub first launch — Instructors Cricket Zarn and Jayson Hayes guide the Open Chub’s first launch.

McKenzie River Drift Boats

The McKenzie 16.5 x 50 Guide Boat

Led by Jayson Hayes of Hayes Custom Boats

Working from the ground up, participants build the classic McKenzie drift boat while learning the techniques, judgment, and craftsmanship required to build one of their own. By luck of the draw and price for materials, a participant may go home with the completed boat. The final stage of finish is the responsibility of the luck student.

Jayson provides hands-on instruction at each step.

Careful fitting for final assembly — Careful fitting = final assembly

Hulls and components completed — Hulls and all components are completed; the finish is up to the student.

Two McKenzies in five days

Two McKenzie hulls in the shop — The Twins in five days

Group with the two finished McKenzies — Jayson Hayes (kneeling left) and his pleased band of 10 students

McKenzie River Green

Led by Jayson Hayes

The green-hulled McKenzie boat — Boats are typically left unfinished, but with time to spare, this class applied classic McKenzie green stain—with stunning results.

Group with the River Green boat — Pride shows

The Doryak

Led by the Fretwater crew

Twelve folks from across the country built two Doryaks over 10 days that concluded with their launch. Two lucky students went home with a boat each.

The Doryak group at launch — Arrive as strangers; depart with a strong sense of accomplishment and esprit de corps

The Diablo Canyon – A Replica

(The first dory built specifically for the Colorado River, commissioned by Martin Litton and crafted by Keith Steele. Litton originally named her Portola.)

Led by the Fretwater Crew

The group with the Diablo Canyon replica at the garage

The finished Portola replica on its trailer

Built on the MRDC grounds where the original dory was built

Ready to build your own?

See the current workshop →