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Re: Dory Advice

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In Reply to: Re: Dory Advice posted by ThomV on October 08, 2004 at 16:24:49:

Thom,thank you for your insights. Of course I DO NOT have Mr. Gardners book but will soon I suppose. It seems to be one of the best out there on the dory. Have my eyes on a few others too.
So, Paul Butlers dory kit. I have been looking at it as it is one of the very few out there it appears.It seems to fit my requirements and is a nice looking dory. Don't know why though, but I like boats with some lineage. Some history. That somehow makes it more interesting. But like I said there are few kits out there. You may have assertained by now that I have very limited experience with the whole "building from just plans" approach but am certainly willing to try if it is required.May I ask from what experience you base your assessment that Mr. Butlers boat may not be as speedy as others under oar? Not disputing,just curious. What about performance under sail?
The Hammond Swampscott, well, I guess I need the book, but thanks for pointing one out that I should consider.
The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding has a beauty of a Fearing as well. Thanks for that link. They are really nice looking boats and I have pondered several times about one of these as a possible.Your first line does seem to say it all.
If you happen to stumble across any more shoot me an email.

Follow Ups:

Re: Dory Advice - Thom V 17:41:46 10/10/04 (1)
Bill,
Here is the profile of the Paul Butler Alaska Dory. Compared to the Vivier lines in the previous post she is a buxom girl. We have rowed and played in Paul's prototype before it was sold. She was the epitome of stability, at rest and under way. She was slow under oars (your primary stated propulsion). Most of the folks who built this design put in a small outboard well and used outboard power as primary.
Dories for rowing have less static stability and are considered a bit 'tippy'. However, that is the very quality that is needed for speed under oars. The Faerings and Adirondack Guide Boats are the most 'tippy' -- as well as they are fastest. The Vivier Dory is a fine compromise and many have been built as the design goee back to 1985.
As to oars, treat yourself to a decent pair. Nothing takes the pleasure out of rowing as a pair of 'water clubs' presently sold in the chandleries today. At the very least get the Barkley Sound Spruce oars... Better yet order up some Shaw and Tenney R.D.Culler style oars (have them put on the leathers and oarlock). These oars have a spring action and the end of the stroke that is difficult to describe,and the clean entry of these oars into the water is a delight.
I assume you are here in the Northwest...? You can get the plans and have a number of boatbuilding schools around here build out the boat. You can finish it. You can save money by getting a cash account (say you are building a boat) at Fisheries Supply and provide the Epoxy and fastenings to the school. The same with Edensaw Plywood for the wood stock.
- Re: Dory Advice - MrBill 08:20:50 10/12/04 (0)
  Thanks Thom. I think you just saved me $27.50. This guy was so reluctant to provide any information on his design whatsoever. He would only provide the same description as is on his web page for it. I was almost ready to order the plans just to see what was up.I wonder why he doesn't just market it for what it is?
  Not in the Northwest, yet. It is calling like Mecca though. Maybe someday.
  Again thanks for the heads up and the links previously. They are some fine looking designs.

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