Welcome to my online workshop. For almost 15 years I have been making boats here in Montana. Boatbuilders in Montana are sort of rare you could say as we have more vast plains of grass and mountains than water. But with the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi and the finest and most plentiful clear trout streams (ok that's my opinion) anywhere, we actually are a boating state. 

My great love of boats (starting here in Montana, see About Me), has lead to many wonderful things all the while being able to work and live in one of the greatest environments in the world. I make very custom boats of any kind. Most to my design and some to other designers. All are commissioned and I don't have any boats 'for sale' most of the time. I do have plans (somewhat simplified) of the driftboats as well as kits. And if you want anything else just ask.

So the website is simple in purpose; I work in the shop and you want to see what's going on. I build the best boats I can, and with this format you can see what happening as I post photos of what's going on in the shop. I may not be as timely in posting things as possible but keep checking back. Cool things are being made all the time. 

Oh and the best part. When they are done you can buy them and keep them forever.

Yes, I still have a phone, no I hardly ever answer it! Sorry. Leave me an email cajuneboats@gmail.com and I will let you know what you need to know. Thanks for stopping by and 'keep watching this space'!  

Small Recurve Skiff

I made this boat for a customer about four years ago. It ended up very well. It's light enough to cartop but wide enough to be stable. It's not adequate for standing in while moving or for anyone much over 200lbs or 6'.

$7400 complete.

Big Recurve Skiff

A poem

Whittling: The Last Class

by John Stone

What has been written
about whittling 
is not true

most of it

It is the discovery
that keeps
the fingers moving

not idleness

but the knife looking for 
the right plane
that will let the secret out

Whittling is no pastime

he says
who has been whittling 
in spare minutes at the wood

of his life for forty years

Three rules he thinks
have helped
Make small cuts

In this way

you may be able to stop before
what was to be an arm
has to be something else

Always whittle away from yourself

and toward something.
For God's sake
and your own
know when to stop

Whittling is the best example
I know of what most 
may happen when

least expected

bad or good
Hurry before
angina comes like a pair of pliers

over your left shoulder

There is plenty of wood
for everyone 
and you

Go ahead now

May you find
in the waiting wood
rough unspoken

what is true

or
nearly true
or 

true enough.

New Designs

Well after three years of scratching my head and yet another highly valued and ultra patient customer I have finally completed a special boat to be used on the Bow River.

Some of the design is similar to before but the hull and all aspects are newly tweaked and modified. Being able to place my hands on the wood of each boat and dream up stuff that is different from what I have done before is a wonderful feeling. My hope is that the customer loves it as much as I enjoyed thinking it up.