McKenzie River dory

The sole identifying characteristic of the McKenzie River dory is a continuous rocker (the arc from bow to stern along the bottom of the boat).

A prolific McKenzie River dory boat builder in the 1940s and 1950s was Wood "Woodie" Knoble Hindman.

The reason for this is that the rower faces downstream, therefore the part of the boat which first hits the waves (approaching from behind) must be pointed or very narrow to throw the water to the side.

[5] The portrayal of using drift boats in class I-IV rapids is only one application for this unique watercraft.

The Rogue River guides needed a boat with greater carrying capacity, and the ability to hold the current.

The high prow and greater carrying capacity makes it the preferred dory for commercial use.

Although it carries less gear, this hull design has a large following among do-it-yourself Grand Canyon river runners due to its ease of rowing.

A McKenzie River dory, or drift boat, on the Boxcar Rapids of the Deschutes River near Maupin, Oregon.
Drift boat launch on the Beaverhead river, Twin Bridges, Montana.
Anglers fly fishing drift boat.
Large Rogue River hull dories (left) and smaller McKenzie River hull dories in the Grand Canyon.