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The Adventures of "Best Friend"
During the winter and spring of 2004 Butch designed and built his 6th Lewis and Clark expedition boat, and named it “Best Friend” after his bride of 37 years Catherine. She became famous even before she was launched. The plans called for a 6 month building program and a $30,000.00 investment in materials. It turned out to be a 90 day build with a $42,000.00 investment. The building time change came about when Butch was asked to have “Best Friend” at the Camp River Dubois Signature event in Hartford Illinois. Working 7 days a week and an average of 13 hours per day accomplished this. When she went to Hartford on a trailer, she was an empty shell, but looked good on the outside. After returning , another month was required for “fitting out”. The increase in cost was due to the ridiculously escalating price of materials due to (supposedly) hurricanes and such. This is a picture trip through “Best Friends” life & career to date.

Click on a image to enlarge.
wpe3.jpg (27172 bytes) “Best Friend” began its life upside down as an empty shell of timbers and plywood. wpe1.jpg (23617 bytes) Finished hull ready for turn over.
wpe6.jpg (217528 bytes) Hull just coming up. wpe3.jpg (210729 bytes) Half way there. Notice keel and bilge keels.
wpe6.jpg (260248 bytes) Son in law and grand kids watched turnover process, a big day for all of us. wpe8.jpg (277512 bytes) Mike Butler helped with the turn over process. Here she is almost down.
wpeA.jpg (24449 bytes) Safely over and down. Now she is ready for her cedar planking. wpeC.jpg (247032 bytes) Planking on outside of hull installed.
wpe16.jpg (232067 bytes) Foredeck completed and gunnel plates installed. wpe14.jpg (219983 bytes) Another angle on foredeck completion.
wpe12.jpg (163576 bytes) Cabin framing taking shape. wpe1A.jpg (256750 bytes) Cabin planked.
wpe18.jpg (235616 bytes) Interior nearing completion. wpe1C.jpg (172846 bytes) DONE! Ready for loading. Left to right: Dan Corcran Butch Bouvier Carleton Flynn

wpe1E.jpg (57606 bytes)

 Custom built trailer being readied to accept “Best Friend” for the first time. wpe21.jpg (42127 bytes) Ready to sit her on the trailer. Notice bilge keels which help with lateral control when sailing.
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L&C Replicas - A.C. Butch Bouvier - Boatwright
 613 5th St Onawa, Iowa 51040
 keelboat@longlines.com
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