Protect Your Investment
OVER THREE DECADES OF SUPERIOR
DRIFT BOAT COVERS.
For more than 30 years, Elaine Crutchfield built Five C’s Drift Boat Covers on a commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and a dedication to exceptional customer service. In 2026, Elaine decided it was time to retire and began mentoring David Hayes of Ray’s River Dories on her manufacturing and craftsmanship techniques.
2000’s
Ray met Cyrus Happy—a fishing guide on the Deschutes River—in the late 1980’s and a lasting friendship was formed over a shared love of fishing and wooden boats. Cyrus grew up on the lakes around Puget Sound with boating in his blood. Prior to guiding, Cy had worked as a luthier, building and repairing acoustic instruments. This experience brought his unique woodworking skill to Ray’s River Dory boat construction. Cy decided that life was too short to spend any more river time in anything but a wood boat so Cy and Ray officially teamed up in 1988.
1990’s
Five C’s is founded by Elaine Crutchfield and she begins sewing durable drift boat covers.
2026
David Hayes grew up in Portland where a love of fishing and boating rivers started at age 6. Dave’s father took him steelhead and salmon fishing throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, most often exploring rivers and estuaries from a wooden boat. As he continued to grow up, Dave’s devotion to fishing was matched only by his passion for working with his hands and creating in the wood shop. This led him to co-own and operate a home construction business for over a decade where he primarily focused on finish carpentry. Today, Cy and Dave work together in the shop to carry on the legacy of expert craftsmanship and timeless design that Ray Heater established in 1975. They work at the beautiful and practical intersection where function and form merge, a signature of every Ray’s River Dory boat.
Why Do I need A Cover?
There are many misconceptions about wooden drift boats and how they compare to boats made of other materials like aluminum and fiberglass. First and foremost, wooden drift boats are light, fast, tough, maneuverable, and a pleasure to row. They handle well in all types of water and when they do come up against an obstruction, they flex and take on impact. Due to its pliability, wooden boats absorb shocks and vibrations resulting in a quieter overall ride. They are extremely capable and stable when taking on large drops and wave trains and track beautifully in flat water.
For repairs, wooden boats are generally easier and cheaper to repair than other materials like aluminum and fiberglass. In fact, most boat owners have the available tools and skills to take on minor repairs and general upkeep in their own home shop. Wood is relatively easy to maintain and it lasts for generations. Wood’s strength to weight ratio rates high and it’s naturally buoyant. Even heavy wood species float well. Wood insulates against heat, cold, and noise.
