I have been toying around with idea for a while and finally got inspired. We have a few creeks in our water shed that I have fished before and have wanted to do so again. I have been thinking about a boat that would be suitable for these for months now. I have settled on a 13' decked canoe/Rec boat sort of style. My design is strongly influenced by what would make it good for fishing from.

The creeks range from still deep flat water to Class IV+ rapids, largely depending on water levels. The sections that I paddle/fish are class I. Mainly just some long shoals and one or two simple rapids. There is one small class II rapid with a very short waterfall, but it is easily portage and it's not hard to run. I have run it in a canoe. Nothing a true white water paddler is going to get excited about.

This design is 13' OAL. I plan on a fuselage style framing and because of the anticipated use I am contemplating keeping the spans between frames short and oversize stringers. Adding a rub strip on the keel and chines(?) for abrasion. Rub rails on the gunwales for sure. Sew her up in 12 oz. nylon. That should make a pretty tough little boat, tougher than what I expect to ever encounter.

It has a large open cockpit for easy entry and exit. An open 'Well' behind me sized for a cooler or milk crate for storing 'stuff'. Flat rear deck with thin plywood under the skin around the well and cockpit sides. That way I can attach pad eyes for bungees, rod tie downs, rod holder, what ever I find I want or need. I will reinforce these areas with small blocks of thicker plywood underneath for the screws. I put a bit of peak in the bow to shed any water that gets on there. And I will add coaming around the cockpit. I am thinking I will taper it so that it is taller at the front and really low as it gets toward the rear.

I am going to sit on this a while and think about it. But I want to build this for use this spring.