The Black & Tan : 2013

Welcome to the Black & Tan blog!

Thanks for checking out our site! We have just begun construction on a Mckenzie River Style drift boat that we have affectionately named the Black & Tan, which will be her ultimate color scheme. It is no coincidence that she shares her name with one of the greatest adult beverages of all time. We have chosen this proven design because we are confident it will serve us quite well in the waters we fish most, which include the The Housatonic and Farmington Rivers of Northern CT, The inshore waters Long Island Sound, and most recently the Great Lakes Tribs and the wonderful St. Lawrence River waterway, a place that Mack calls home. We obtained the boat plans online, similar plans are available through Rivers Touch. She will be 14 feet long with a relatively wide beam and bow rocker for safely navigating the rapids but she will also have a high and wide, slightly rockered, transom which can accomodate a up to a 10hp motor should we decide to venture out into the brackish bays and estuaries of Long Island Sound. Unlike most traditional drift boats, this boat can be used both as a flat bottom motor skiff and a rowing dory. Our project has just begun, and we are full of enthusiasm. The design and finish concepts change every day, who knows what the final product will look like, but thats half the fun! We hope you enjoy our site, we will try to update it weekly if possible. Thanks for stopping by!

For more info on the Rapid Robert Mckenzie River Skiff we are building, Click Here or better yet, Here

Sunday, November 3, 2013

First River Run - Housatonic 11-2-13

Monday, October 21, 2013

2nd Day Out- Bantam Lake with Bross......

Sunday, September 29, 2013

First Day on the Water!!!

Friday, September 27, 2013

oar wraps.....

Sunday, September 22, 2013

One week til first splash!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Trucha de Oro

Mack has machined a nice brass centerpiece for the aft crossbeam....

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Lookin good!!!! some more pics.....

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Custom made Oarlock collars

Check out these custom Delrin oarlock mounts Mack machined! Should make for quiet, drag free rowing and they can be mounted for or aft depending on the rower.