This past Saturday hosted the McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival at the Eagle Rock Lodge. Every year, the event attracts hundreds of visitors who come to display and admire new and historic boats from across the Pacific Northwest.
The McKenzie River Drift Boat was first designed to navigate the challenging rapids of the McKenzie River. Over time, improvements in technology allowed for the use of lighter materials like plywood, which enabled the boat to handle bigger waters. By the early 1950s, the boat had evolved to include a unique shape with a rocker bottom and double-ended dory style that made it both safe and versatile for different types of water. Today, this design is recognized and used around the world as the McKenzie River Drift Boat.
Eagle Rock Lodge was once the home of John Shelley West, one of the nine charter members of the McKenzie River Guides Association.
A big thank you to all who attended, the vendors, and Eagle Rock Lodge for hosting the event!
Source: The Central Cascades