It’s Batteaux Building Season!
Spring is here and the Piedmont is filled with the sounds of hammers driving 4in galvanized nails into white oak! The James River will be introduced to several new boats and crews this June for the 38th annual James River Batteau Festival. We'd like to take a moment to introduce you to a few of these beautiful boats.
The Morning Dew is a veteran crew from Amherst County, participating in the JRBF since the summer of 2006. Will Cash and Will Smith built the newest “Dew” over the course of the winter and early spring. The duo made a few changes to the design from their last batteau including 6in cap rails, but largely stuck to the same patterns as their previous boat. The Morning Dew will be the lead boat for James River Batteau Company, who offer batteau experiences for the public in Scottsville, Virginia.
Another new boat is being built in Amherst County, but at this point, no name has been chosen. Individuals from several past batteau crews with building experience are teaming up for the build. The lumber has been cut and dried. The core crew are Daniel & Casey Lee, Draper & Amanda Lee, Cody Ott & Elizabeth Lee, Adelaide Lee, Billy Dugger, and Charles Santore. Many years and batteau river miles of experience are represented in this group!!
The Silas Henry is a new crew building their first batteau. After years of joining the festival via canoe they decided to make the jump to batteau and began work on the build this spring in Amherst County. Making up the core crew are Scott Tollar, David Turpin, Kirk Parker, Shaun Dowdy, Jascin Sprouse, Jason Bryant, and Nathan Duff.
At the Sandidges Mill near Thrashers Lake in Amherst County construction is well under way on a new batteau by a new boat program. Will Dowd is spearheading the build on the banks of the Buffalo River, the historic mill can be seen in the background.
After two years of rest, the Mary Marshall will return to the 38th JRBF with a new crew and a new name. Introducing the “Pride of Buzzard's Roost" and her crew: Dan Tucker, Robert Schumacher, Bru Norconk, Katie "RPK" Hayden, Megan Heatwole, Travis Klous, Jenn Lieb, Colby Morris, and Ashlea Morris.
The 2012 model of the Anthony Rucker is off the trailer ready for flipping to replace all bottom boards. After teetering close to being placed in the “submarine class", a designation given to the leakiest of Batteau, it's time for a refit. The crew looks forward to more enjoying and less bailing!!