Meet One of Two McKenzie River Drift Boat Makers Left in the PNW

A Unique Craft in the Pacific Northwest

Navigating the challenging waters of Marten Rapid, Jayson Hayes took a sharp dive over the class III rapids in his handcrafted wooden boat, splashing his back with an icy wave from the McKenzie River. His vessel was designed for this waterway, and it’s clear that he has mastered the art of boatmaking.

While "side hustles" are common today, Hayes’ boatmaking and river touring business is a rarity. At 51 years old, he is one of only two professional boatmakers in the Pacific Northwest who still craft McKenzie River Drift Boats. These boats have a rich history tied to the region and require a unique set of skills.

“Both of us aren't getting any younger, so somebody needs to take that on at some point to keep the history alive,” Hayes said. “All the guys before us are either not doing it anymore, retired or they're dead.”

Hayes, who now lives in Springfield, grew up in Lane County and graduated from North Eugene High. He found his passion during his first float down the McKenzie River around age 20. He wanted to become a river guide and decided to build his own boat at age 25.

At the time, Hayes was working at a local mill and had access to all the necessary materials. Originally, he planned to weld an aluminum boat, which are more common, but he came across the website of late local boatmaker Greg Tatman and was inspired.

“I decided I belonged in a wood boat,” Hayes said. “I fell in love with the process and after that started designing my own boats from there.”

Alongside his full-time job at 9Wood, which makes custom wood ceilings, Hayes has his own custom boatmaking and water touring business: Hayes Custom Boats. Since he began crafting the vessels, he estimates he has made more than 50 boats from scratch.

The Journey into Boatmaking

For Hayes, boatbuilding and touring didn’t start as a business venture. It was more of a hobby than anything. He built a new boat (for himself) every year or two and sold the old one. His wife, Sarah, was the one who urged him to take it more seriously. Hayes said he and Sarah push each other to pursue their dreams.

He launched Hayes Custom Boats eight years ago. He takes custom orders, fitting the customers' desired wood, materials, and even boat styles. Hayes said he wishes he’d taken the leap to start his business a lot sooner.

Recently, Hayes has developed a new boat built for Montana rivers. Similar to a drift boat, the new design has lower sides, a flat bow, and is a foot wider than the McKenzie style. He's hoping the Montana boat will bring in a new clientele for his business.

In addition to custom boats, Hayes also offers do-it-yourself kits, with everything one needs to put a boat together. He said he tries to make the pieces so assembly is as simple as possible.

After years of building, Hayes has perfected his craft. His own boat, with "all the bells and whistles," has a reinforced bottom with fiberglass on all the plywood. It's built for going over rapids and bouncing off rocks.

Sharing the River Experience

Outside of his craft, Hayes leads tours during the season, which typically runs from June to November. He takes guests down the McKenzie and other rivers, often with other guides joining for larger parties. Usually, the tours come with an all-day fishing experience, and Hayes will stop at the riverbank to cook their catch. Other tours are simply scenic.

“I love sharing the river with people,” Hayes said. “You're not treating them as just a client, you're becoming friends and building a relationship with somebody. Oftentimes, you have clients that become lifelong friends after taking them on the water.”

Hayes has been an official member of the McKenzie River Guides Association for more than 10 years.

The History of the McKenzie River Drift Boat

The McKenzie River Drift Boat is the result of decades of craftsmanship tailored to the McKenzie River. Randy Dersham directed a documentary film on the McKenzie River Drift Boat called Oregon's Boat. He said the road to today's classic style was a winding one.

It all started with the first known paid water tour on the McKenzie River in 1909. At that time, Dersham said the guides used whatever boats were on hand, many of which were intended for logging and weren't suited for fishing. In 1925, a significantly shorter and slightly wider boat was created, but it wasn't very popular. For the next two decades, many craftsmen tried changing the boat style, trying different bow and stern shapes. In 1948, the signature style that we know today was created.

The McKenzie River Drift Boat has a flat bow at the front and a pointed stern at the back. Hayes said weight is concentrated in the center of the boat, making it easy to maneuver.

“Essentially, you set the chine of the boat, the side of the boat, against the current like a sail would be set against the wind,” Dersham said. “The current moves you. You don't row where you want to go, you row against the current.”

The McKenzie River Drift Boat is used worldwide today. “A lot of people don't realize that this boat was developed on this river,” Hayes said. “Sharing that part of the history is, I think, important.”

Not only is the boat style part of Lane County's legacy, but the McKenzie River itself has its own long history, Hayes said. The McKenzie is fed by Clear Lake, high in the Cascades. It provides most of the drinking water in Eugene, according to the University of Oregon.

That rich history is something McKenzie River Valley community members value, especially after the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire that burned 173,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of homes. While the river itself recovered quickly, many people lost property, belongings, and their livelihood.

“The river community is a really tight community,” Hayes said. “I think everybody just really embraces the rich history here on the river and loves being a part of it.”

As one of the only active McKenzie River Drift Boat crafters, Hayes stays busy, sometimes building up to three boats at a time in his backyard workshop.

Preserving the Legacy

Hayes is looking to pass his knowledge on to young, future boatmakers. He visits the McKenzie River Discovery Center, a museum and learning center in Walterville, to teach boatmaking workshops. This year, Hayes will be working with McKenzie River Community School students to build a boat. Hayes is also collaborating with a teacher in Sutherland, Oregon, who will be launching a similar program.

Discovery Center President Gene Jones bought a custom boat from Hayes, a model about three-quarters the size of a normal drift boat that adorns his living room ceiling. Jones appreciates Hayes' craft and his efforts to carry it on.

“It's kind of a lost art and Jason is one of the ones that is helping us try to continue that,” Jones said.

Hayes said he'd never thought of himself as a teacher, but has come to enjoy sharing what he knows.

“I'm really focusing on bringing up the next generation of boatbuilders to keep that history alive here on the river,” Hayes said. “Hopefully, in these efforts, somebody's going to find a passion in it.”