Scott's McKenzie Boats

The above picture is of my second McKenzie drift boat "Progress" on Bull Shoals tailwater while guiding clients in August of 2007. I built this boat in the winter of 2005-6 and finished it in the summer of 2006. It took me about 3 to 3-1/2 months in total. The panels are African mahogany marine grade plywood. The trim is mahogany and douglas fir. Thanks to Ken Richards for the photograph which I converted to grayscale in Photoshop for a nice effect. Both this photo and the one below show the lines of the boats very well.

My first McKenzie "Stability" at the early stages in 1996

Drift boats have long been the river boat of choice for flyfishers; but, they are relatively new to the Ozarks. They offer a stable, unobstructed casting platform, the opportunity to slip upon wary fish and present a fly in a natural way, and wade access to the choice runs and otherwise difficult to fish areas. My clients are usually surprised at the roominess and stability of the Mac. Wooden drift boats float higher and have a lower center of gravity making them a great choice for fly fishing activities.

For info on the building of my second McKenzie boat, "Progress," please check my blog.