CM640 - Glen L Rio Drift - 30 inches boat model

Specification: Item CM640 - 30L x 6W x 9H Inches (76.2L x 15.2W x 22.9H Cm)

Note: This is a special made to order item, delivery usually take 30-90 days.
Custom features such as name plate or different paint schemes are available for additional charges. Please contact us for details.

Price: $ 2,543.00

Description:

The Rio Drift Boat is a modern classic among drift fishing boats, valued for its exceptional stability, shallow-water capability, and clean, purposeful design. Developed from the proven Glen-L drift boat hull, the Rio blends a time-tested river-running form with a contemporary, angler-focused layout—functional, balanced, and built for performance in moving water.

This 30-inches custom-made scale model is handcrafted upon request, faithfully recreating the Rio’s wide beam, shallow draft hull, and practical interior configuration. Built using traditional plank-on-frame techniques and premium selected hardwoods, the model captures the character of a real working drift boat while elevating it into a refined display piece. Each project requires approximately 4–5 months of meticulous craftsmanship.

Throughout the build process, every structural line and functional detail is carefully interpreted, from the reinforced bottom profile to the interior seating layout and storage compartments. You will receive photo updates at each key stage of production, allowing you to review and approve progress before moving forward:

- Hull construction and shaping
- Interior detailing, seating, and storage features
- Final painting, varnishing, and finishing touches

Once completed and approved, the model will be securely packed in a custom-built wooden crate with reinforced protection, ensuring safe international delivery.

Available exclusively as a custom-made project. To begin your Rio Drift Boat build or request detailed specifications, please visit Custom-Made Projects.

History:

Rio Drift Boat, inspired by the original McKenzie River Drift Boat, carries forward the legacy of one of Oregon’s most iconic river crafts.

The design traces its roots to the early 1900s on the whitewater-rich McKenzie River, where legendary builders such as Cary Thomson, the West brothers, Veltie Pruitt, Prince Helfrich, Torkel “Tom” Kaarhus, Woodie Hindman, and Keith Steele shaped what would become the definitive drift boat form.

Originally evolving from humble scows and double-enders—sometimes jokingly called “bathtubs with oarlocks”—the McKenzie drift boat took on its modern sleekness with the advent of laminated plywood, which transformed its performance and durability.

Over the decades, new materials like aluminum, fiberglass, and advanced polymers continued to refine the boat’s capabilities. Rio Drift Boat honors this rich heritage while embracing the evolution of the craft, preserving the spirit of the McKenzie River classic in a design meant for today’s builders and river enthusiasts.