By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
Allen Wilson's Discussions
Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.
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Hi, I'm Allen Wilson and had the good fortune to come across this boat in Santa Fe, NM. Thanks to Bruce Symballa an old boatman friend of mine who discovered it and through the help of Mike Castelli…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Allen Wilson May 29, 2010.
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Allen Wilson replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Yes, But after meeting with Larry Testerman a few weeks ago, He let me know that he repainted the Betty Boop and renamed her the Great Thumb. Larry and Gary Ladd actually redid some of the cabinet work, in the central part of the boat and turned it…
Jeremy Christensen replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Allen, I gave Pete your number. Pete's number is 801-582-9239.
Brad Dimock replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Martin changed the names of several boats once he came up with his theme of memorializing works of nature that had been trashed by mankind. At the Susie Too became the Music Temple, the Betty Boop became the Great Thumb, the Portola became the…
Heidi Lynn Hayes replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
My dad changed the spelling of his name to "Ronn" upon the prompting of a girlfriend, who was into numerology. Apparently the extra "n" was supposed to be good luck/karma/etc......
Heidi Lynn Hayes replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
While Keith Steele might have made the original boat hull for the Betty Boop, my dad, Ronn Hayes, actually completely rebuilt the entire bow. Unfortunately, after leaving Oregon with the boat strapped atop his '54 pickup, dad miscalculated the…
Brad Dimock replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Another good question to ask Pete would be the proper spelling of his dad's name, as I understand he spelled it "Ronn".
You may also wish to check in with Ronn's lifelong best pal and former partner in Wilderness World, Vladimir…
Allen Wilson replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Hi Jeremy,
Amazing!! I'm glad you posted this about Pete Hayes. It would be an honor to talk with you and Pete.
If your inclined please call.
541-247-6924
I am putting a web site together for The Betty Boop/Great Thumb. Hope to have it online…
Jeremy Christensen replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
It turns out that the son of the late, great Ron Hayes (Peter Hayes) was my high school Biology teacher in Salt Lake City, and is a good friend of mine. I'd lost touch with him for several years, during which time I became enthralled with…
Roger Fletcher replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
If you're talking about the bright fibnished DE, Andy Hutchinson of Durango built it. Pretty boat.
Dave Z replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Awesome! I LOVE the decked double ender.
wow.
Ukulady replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
What a treasure! I hope I get to see her on the water one day.
Allen Wilson replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Hey, Thanks, I'm really excited about seeing you all, and showing off this great old boat.
Here is a link to a slide show I did showing picking her up and getting back to Oregon.
http://craggydesign.com/dory/
Dave Z replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Very cool. Thanks for pulling your end of the oars on keeping the GC dories alive. Yeah, what Jeff said, more pics please.
Jeff Peak replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
more pics please, for those of us who won't be able to see her in person!
David Jensen replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
Keith's son, Steve will be at the festival, so you can meet him. He's a boat and trailer builder in Lebanon, OR. As you probably know, Keith built and number of dories for Martin Litton. Very cool boats. About 25 years ago, a bunch of us…
Greg Hatten replied to Allen Wilson's discussion 'Grand Canyon Dory built by Keith Steele resurected from the desert.'
... make that "Next" weekend at the Boat Festival (haven't had my second cup of coffee yet).
GH
Profile Information
- Hometown:
- Gold Beach
- About Me:
- Born and raised in Gold Beach. In 1969 I got a job working for ARTA on the Grand. Quit commercial work there at the end of 76. I reciently acquired a Keith Steel Grand Canyon Dory originally bought by Ron Hayes in 1968 and run on one or two of Martin's trips. Larry Testerman owned this boat and used it on a lot on rivers around the west in the late 70's and 80's. It needs lots of work and my goal is to refurbish it.
- Boats I own:
- Numerous inflatible kayaks, 12 ft Randen Craft dory and a 12 ft cat boat plus the dory Great Thumb
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