Grandfather, grandson build pirogue

Cliff Dodge displays the 16-foot pirogue he and his grandson, Robert Brown, built from scratch. They plan to row the pirogue from Monroe to New Orleans next week.

Darryl Riser

Cliff Dodge of Rayville has discovered a unique way of spending quality time with his grandson.

After spending a month building a pirogue from scratch, Dodge and 12-year-old Robert Brown plan to row it from Monroe to New Orleans.

“We started building it January 26 and we finished on February 27,” Dodge explained.

He and his grandson started off with a pile of cyprus lumber and ended up with a 16-foot pirogue that measures 22-inches across on the bottom and 27-inches across at the top. They went on to add water-tight compartments at the front and back for storage as well as a device Dodge calls a “rudderizer.” In addition to serving as a rudder, the device helps stabilize the boat.

He added that they’ve tested it out and the pirogue is almost impossible to sink.

“We took it out on the river and filled it with water,” he said, “then we rocked it and even full of water, it doesn’t sink and two people can row it.”

They’re giving the pirogue its next big test beginning Wednesday when they row the boat from Monroe to New Orleans.

After leaving from the Forsythe Park boat dock in Monroe at 8 a.m. July 14, they plan to go down the Ouachita to the Black River, then to the Red River and the Atchafalaya before finally hitting the Mississippi River for the last leg of the journey.

“We plan on taking our time and just enjoying the trip,” Dodge said.

If they time it right, Dodge and Brown will reach the end of Canal Street just in time to meet up with the Lemonade Brigade from kidswannahelp.com on July 18.

“We’ll also be taking pictures and putting updates about the trip on their website,” Dodge said.

In addition to the Lemonade Brigade even at the end of the trip, Dodge said the whole thing is serving as a fundraiser for the website where children raise money for charity. Anyone who donates to the website, can request a copy of the blue-prints to build their own pirogue.

“And I’ll be happy to help with any questions they have,” Dodge said. “This is a great way to spend time with your kids or grandkids ... even if you just take a day trip from Sterlington to Monroe.”

In addition to piloting the pirougue, Dodger and Brown are planning other activities along the way to New Orleans. They’re taking materials to study Morse code, view the stars and learn constellations an a copy of the Bible to study Genesis.

Dodge, who lives on Diane Street in Rayville, invites anyone who’d like to sign the pirogue to get in touch with him before the trip begins.

“We’d like to have it covered in names before the trip begins,” he said.

He added that anyone who’d like to make all or part of the trip with him and his grandson can bring their boats to the landing at 8 a.m. July 14.