The Hull Interior
Viewed from above, the boat has a natural finish with a honey-like shade due to the color of the epoxy that seals it. The finish coat of varnish is clear and does not significantly change the hue of the wood.
The bow stem (rendered invisible as the sides and the bow cover/foredeck were installed) is solid black walnut, and so is the transom/motor mount at the stern. A wear plate on the front of the motor mount is oak and can be replaced if damaged by motor mount screws.
There are two ribs on Leaping Trout that reinforce the strength-to-weight ratio of the hull, and a third set of "mini-ribs" that support rod pegs (more on these later). The ribs are fabricated from a pair of one-by mahogany boards that are joined together by epoxy, creating a monolithic rib. All the ribs are mahogany, and all of the rod pegs are mahogany. More later.
The third structural rib on an Au Sable Riverboat, oddly enough, is the fish box. It supports a swivel seat for a guest fisherperson near the bow, contains two storage compartments for gear, and houses a live well that fills with river water to keep a trout catch alive until the boat is off the water. More on this later.