Saturday, December 28, 2013

Small Boats With Big Attitude

I've talked about and mentioned the work of Phil Croff of Croff Craft Custom Driftboats several times before on this website and wanted to share a recent article that was written by Howard Meyerson of The Outdoor Journal.  This article appeared in Michigan Country Lines Magazine where it can be read as well and it highlights Phil's idea for a wide and stable drift boat that is perfect for northern Michigan streams and beyond.


Howard wrote...  "Phil Croff wasn’t planning to start a boat-building business when he constructed his first driftboat in 2006, using Michigan cedar and walnut. He was looking for a safe way to fish rivers at night—a time when big brown trout come out to feed and anglers wade cautiously to avoid stumbling in the dark."

Check out The Outdoor Journal to read the rest of this excellent article.

This is also a good time to mention that starting next week I will begin putting up a post each week or so for the next couple months with photos and a bit of narrative chronicling a Croff Craft drift boat being built.  Phil and I have been talking about doing this for a couple years now and with several drift boats in the works this winter, it's the perfect time for this to happen.

Check out the Croff Craft website for more information on these unique and beautiful drift boats.

4 comments:

Joel said...

What a beauty!

Bill Trussell said...

I really get into hand crafted boats and this one is exceptional. My brother has built a number of jon boats over the years and his best was a cypress boat complete with the bottom catwalk he built some years ago. He has donated it to a local museum. Thanks for sharing

http://btrussell-fishingthroughlife.blogspot.com/2012/04/memories-this-50-year-old-cypress-boat.html

ratfacedmcdougal said...

Very pretty and utilitarian. As a recovering professional wooden boat builder I know the time and craftsmanship that goes into a build like that. People cringe at the cost but in the end a well maintained wooden boat will last for generations. They have a soul and have comfort you won't find in Glass. Did I just dis glass? Just this one time.
RFMcD

Cameron Mortenson said...

Joel...I agree. They boats are as functional as they are beautiful.

Bill...I have a soft spot for handcrafted boats as well. Thanks for the link.

RFMcD...there is some sticker shock but seeing how these drift boats are built step by step will help make more sense of it.