HEADWATER 14

The Headwater Fourteen [H-14] was designed and the prototype built in the Summer of 1985 to test the viability of using frameless, stressed skin construction to build a serviceable Whitewater drift boat.

My thinking was that if the weight of the materials (and fasteners) used to construct the traditional drift boat’s internal framework was made available to increase the thicknesess of the plywood side and bottom panels, the hull would be much stiffer and less susceptible to impact damage.

The prototype was tested by an experienced fishing guide on Washington’s Cowlitz River in both high and low water conditions with 3 adults on board. The handling was shown to be excellent, and the durability has been proven true over the years since this design was released.

Construction plans include six 11“x17 “ sheets of drawings copied from “Ink on Vellum” originals. Also included are six sheets of typed instructions, and a four page instruction sheet on scarphing techniques.