View Full Version : Thoughts on Devlin's Poleboat?
I want to thank whoever it was that posted the link to Devlin Designing Boat Builders in the thread welcoming Mr. Devlin to the forum. I could have gone a while longer without seeing those beautiful designs again...
Two (maybe three) years ago I was absolutely convinced I could not build a boat.
One year ago I was thinking that maybe I could build a boat...
Less than three months ago I started building my Goat Island Skiff...
And tonight I ordered the study plans for Poleboat...
It looks like it would be fine on the American River and it is a very different boat than the Goat. And, I like the looks of it! :)
So, any opinions on the Poleboat?
Thanks,
Bob
PS... David - it's that darn sawdust tarbaby pulling me down (or is it up?)
James McMullen
06-09-2009, 09:19 AM
Looks cool to me! A modern interpretation of the sneakbox, updated for strong, leak-proof S & G construction.
Besides, everyone knows that building boats is at least as much fun as using boats :D
David G
06-09-2009, 10:22 AM
She's a pretty little thing. Have you come across any fotos yet? I'd be curious. The Sawdust Tarbaby has you now, and will never let loose. I don't know whether it'll pull you down or up... that's up to you. The letter is more likely, however :D
Thorne
06-09-2009, 12:43 PM
Don't think a boat designed for shallow calm water would be a good choice for the American -- better for use on the Delta. And I think you'll want a square transom that can take a small outboard for either location...
Something more like a garvey seems a better choice, and Devlin's Bluebill sneakbox might do the trick, or perhaps his Honker.
James McMullen
06-09-2009, 05:25 PM
I think you'll want a square transom that can take a small outboard for either location...
No! No outboard! NO MOTORS! Utterly wrong for this type of boat!
End the tyranny of octane guzzling recreation! Rowing and sailing are better for your soul!
Bad Thorne! No biscuit!
Interesting
http://www.devlinboat.com/images/poleboat.gif
Thorne
06-09-2009, 06:10 PM
No! No outboard! NO MOTORS! Utterly wrong for this type of boat!
End the tyranny of octane guzzling recreation! Rowing and sailing are better for your soul!
Bad Thorne! No biscuit!
But I likes biscuits, I does!
That's why I said I thought that type of boat would not be good for the Amercian River -- it is a duckboat, fercrissakes. http://www.theamericanriver.com/
A modified river dory / driftboat would probably be much better for the lower American, but only rafts and kayaks can do the upper river.
http://www.whitewatervoyages.com/gallery/images/fullsize/SFA-Satans03_fs.jpg
from - http://www.whitewatervoyages.com/gallery/american-river-gallery.html
He needs something that can handle rocks, shallows, riffles and powerboat wakes -- Devlin's Honker might do the trick, with the motor pulled up in the shallows.
http://www.devlinboat.com/images/honker1.gif
davebrown
06-09-2009, 07:28 PM
thorne, you might be right. but, OP, which part are you going on? the lower section at discovery park is a lot like the rest of the delta. i do it from time to time with oars only.
I'm a bit surprised this posted... when I hit "submit" I got an error, and subsequent attempts to log on to the forum resulted in a "database error." Hope it wasn't something I did!
http://www.devlinboat.com/images/poleboat.gif
Thanks for the feedback.
I've interested in a light (relatively), shallow draft, paddle/row/no motor kind of boat that I can drift downstream with a bit and can row back upstream. I'm wanting this for the American River between Lake Natomas and the Sacramento River. There are some rocks, shoals, and otherwise shallow water in that stretch. There are not many power boats - and those few that are there are generally small low HP fishing boats. Kayaks and canoes are far more common along this part of the river than motor boats. (But I want something a bit different than a kayak or canoe.) Here's a link to a map of the American River Parkway. (Open it, go to page 2, and enlarge it! My apartment is about where the picnic table is between mile markers 6 and 7)
http://www.arparkway.org/pdf_files/ARPmap.pdf
Thorne, having sailed the Delta I wouldn't be to anxious to take a small flat bottomed shallow draft boat anywhere but some of the calmer backwater sloughs. (I know I'll eat those words the first time I take my Goat out to the Delta!)
David, haven't found any photos yet. (Darn that Sawdust Tarbaby!)
I like the looks of the Poleboat, and I'm looking forward to seeing the study plans.
Bob
The study plans arrived today...
I still like the Polecat. I think it would be what I want:I've interested in a light (relatively), shallow draft, paddle/row/no motor kind of boat that I can drift downstream with a bit and can row back upstream. I'm wanting this for the American River between Lake Natomas and the Sacramento River. There are some rocks, shoals, and otherwise shallow water in that stretch. There are not many power boats - and those few that are there are generally small low HP fishing boats. Kayaks and canoes are far more common along this part of the river than motor boats. (But I want something a bit different than a kayak or canoe.)I like it enough that I'll order the plans when I get back from Georgian Bay early next month.
Bob
I found this video re kayaking the lower American River (between the Natomas dam and Discovery Park in Sacramento). While it does show two sets of rapids in that 23 mile stretch, it also shows there is plenty of flat water to enjoy on the river.
I hope this link works - and that you don't have to 'register' with the Bee to view it.
http://videos.sacbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=4854204&item_index=1&all=1&sort=NULL
(Yes, I am supposed to be in Georgian Bay this week but I am not. Had to change plans, darn it.)
Bob
Thorne
07-02-2009, 02:15 PM
I dunno, Bob, most of the river in the video looks really shallow and fast -- suspect the Poleboat would be going end-for-end down those sections and provide a lot of entertainment for the fishermen.
My experience with wooden boats in shallow rivers is that they get banged up rapidly, and involve quite a bit of "boat walking" -- getting out and dragging it through the shallows. So if you build, put that epoxy + graphite coating on the bottom. Or as others have suggested, a layer of UHMW goo'd and screw'd to the bottom.
I'm coming around...
I began riding my bike on the American River Parkway last month and I've been getting a closer look at the river. It is not the placid stream I thought. It is obvious from watching the current stack up against the bridge pilings that it is a strong current running right now. I haven't checked the water releases but the river is "up" a bit and running fast;without the "extra" releases the river would present a different set of issues.
I still like the Poleboat, but not so much for the river.
Bob
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