Dan
It is funny that you mention the Navy.

I was station in Charleston SC and was TAD to Norfolk VA for a Xerox School. I had to spend my 21st birthday alone in VA.

I had a car so I went to the beach to celebrate it and woke up on the beach the next day.

Aah the enjoyment of youth.
As for River Raft racing I, too, have built several. When I was in High school we had "The Rambling river raft race" in Homosassa Fl.

it really wasn't whether you won or not but alot of beer was used for motivation.

Momma and I have talked about riding the Hooch to FLA from the head waters in Helen GA. with our daughters, but we want to build the boats we do it with.
Neal Meyers Jr
Euharlee Woodshop
White GA
PS spent the weekend working with eCab and am getting the hang of Creating and using display panels. Is there a way to miter the ends of display board or moldings as well as placing geometric cuts or profiles on them at the same time???