Gloucester Light Dory???

[siberianswampdonkey]

I want to build a dory but I don't know which one to build I was thinking about this one any other suggestions I want something thats fast and easy and not too expensive I also want it to be a true rowing dory not an outboard dory. thanks ~swampy

[Todd Bradshaw]

It seems seaworthy and is a lot of fun to row. It doesn't have tremendously high initial stability, compared to a lot of flat-bottomed boats, because it's bottom is fairly narrow but once you're seated in rowing position it feels pretty good.

[siberianswampdonkey]

Thanks todd. Does anyone know of any alternative boats though? Something thats just as easy to build but maybe a couple feet longer?

[TimH]

There are stretched versions of this boat too. I have a standard version and love it. smile.gif

http://www.instantboats.com/images/jimsldory3.jpg

Stretched Dory (http://www.instantboats.com/slightdory.htm)

[ 09-20-2003, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: TimH ]

[adampet]

ssd,
build yourself one. Its a very good rowing boat. I've rowed mine all sorts of places.
go ahead!
Adam

[Rob Hazard]

ssd: I built a Light Dory type 5 about 20 years ago and used it for a number of years. I only got rid of it after I bought a minivan and found I couldn't get the dory up on the roof singlehanded!
It was a great rowing boat, but if I were doing it again, I might rather try Bolger's Sweetpea, which is an "instant" double-ended Swampscott dory. It could be built to weigh about the same and I think it would have more initial stability.

[ishmael]

Tender. A great row boat, but I wonder about the stability for a heavier person. My brother has one, he weighs about 240, and feels uncomfortable in it so doesn't use it much.

What do you weigh?

[siberianswampdonkey]

I'm on the verge of being a pro cyclist so I only weigh 130.

[ishmael]

It would be a fine rowing boat for you Swamp.

Always intended use. You couldn't make a sliding seat rower of it succesfully, so if you have that in mind, don't. And it's not something you want to take others out it regularly. But for a single, fixed seat rower, for someone like you, finest kind.

[adampet]

Hey Ish!
I resemble that remark..that is to say I'm trying to keep it under 230 (with out a lot of success)LOL
Once you're settled in the Light dory YOU provide the stability. Tell your brother to keep on pulling them oars. He'll get more comfortable.

[TimH]

I weigh 220 now, but was up to 240+ for a few years after I first got married. I never felt as though my dory was unstable due to my weight. if anything it would be more stable due to the increased ballast smile.gif

And actually my dory is heavier than most due to all the real woodd being white oak. She carries her way thru a chop though, unlike other boats I have rowed that stop after every stroke in any kind of wind and waves.

Here is a picture of my wife in my dory

http://www.pioneernet.net/hoehn/dory1.jpg

[ 09-20-2003, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: TimH ]

[ishmael]

what can I say?, my brother's a wooss, and lazy too. smile.gif

[TimH]

hehe, he should sell the dory to somebody who would enjoy it more smile.gif
Mine, unfortunately, is back in Michigan where I grew up. Therefore I have to build a new one out here. There is a kit available from Flounder Bay for around $550. I may just buy that. I need to get out on the water...been living on this island for over 3 years and havent done any boating other than renting small boats a couple of times. I am going crazy... :(

[htom]

There is Gardner's The Dory Book with all of those plans and drawings ... you might end up with the Gloucester Light Dory out of frustration at not being able to choose between all of them.

[ishmael]

There is nothing like the Gloucester Light Dory in The Dory Book .

[htom]

The Gloucester Light Dory is certainly simpler far to build than any of those Gardner describes, and probably has other advantages as well.

[Derek Gavin]

I built a Gloucester Gull a few years back. IMO initial stability is a bit tender, but you do get used to it quickly. It rows like a dream and can handle a small chop though I never had an interest in pushing it. The plans from payson are excellent. The How to book is well worth the $. I am 6'4" formerly 275, currently 240 and I don't think my weight harmed performance.
You won't regret building her.
regaaahhhds
Derek

[Ken Buck]

As mentioned above, the Gloucester plywood dory has some advantages (and also disadvantages) as compared to the traditional lapstrake dories shown in Gardner's Dory Book (and his other small craft books).

Advantages include simplicity and ease of assembly, cost, light weight, and probably a better turn of speed, at least in smoother waters.

On the other hand, traditional lapstrake dories aren't that hard to build - their simplicity and thus relatively low cost of construction has always been an advantage, both for the original fishing boat users and for current day recreational builders.

Still, everything is relative - certainly the plywood boat is even easier still, and if that's what it takes to get you on the water, there's nothing wrong with that approach. For a first boat, the plywood boat is probably a good choice; on the other hand, many traditional dories have also been put together by first-time builders. The choice depends on a lot of different factors, including what you want in the end.

Traditionally-built lapstrake boat do have a certain visual appeal that a smooth-sided craft can't quite match. Also, plywood dory designs are generally based on the straight-sided Banks dory type - so they're a little more tender, especially when light, than the round-sided Swampscott or Surf dory. Lapstrake boats can be built fairly light, but the simpler plywood design will usually win where low weight is a priority. There are both advantages and disadvantages associated with light or heavily-built boats. Light boats may be car-topped and may row more quickly in smooth waters. Heavier boats give more security in rough waters.

There's certainly a place for both types of dories, but for the roughest ocean waters, give me a round-sided dory - it's about as good as it gets.

[Dave Williams]

Another option would be a glued lap plywood Swampscott type dory. I have built and rowed both (many many miles!) and the Swampscot is very much superior unless you have a ton of cod in the bilge, and even then. The building time is not that much greater and is more like real boatbuilding.

[siberianswampdonkey]

Well I finally got around to ordering the book so I'll read the book and if I still like it then I'll start building :D

[Frank E. Price]

Dallas,

Bolger's light dory is dead simple to build and it'll get you hooked on rowing. I built one in about 1980 and kept it until I wore it out, used it some more, and finally lost it in a blow.

It has little freeboard, which contributes to a good rowing position while sitting low in the boat, so watch it when out in much of a beam chop. It has little volume for its length, so is not good for more than one person, unless one or more of the people are small.

It is initially tender, but that's not hard to get used to and is part of being a real row boat. Might be a bummer though to someone with a high and generous center of gravity. Always step into the middle of the boat crouched over until your butt's on the thwart.

I can not imagine any other row boat that returns so much for so little cash and building effort. It's a great way to start serious rowing and checking out boat building. I used oars about 7' 9" long rather than the 7-footers Bolger recommends. Worked fine. If you can, I'd recommend springing for some light spruce spoonblades.

Do it! You'll love it! You can always build the more complex boats later. And by the way, I think a plywood boat is just that, whether it's glued laps or full panels. A REAL boat has NO plywood. OK you guys, let's hear it.

Frank

[Murray Campbell]

hi

fwiw i wanted give one more plug for Gardner's "The Dory Book". Many of the boats in there could be adapted easily to batten seam plywood construction....i'm planning to try my hand at the Dion dory, i think the bigger round sided dories in there would make much more wholesome boats that will be less limiting in what you can do with them....of course they'll be more expensive, more work to build and require trailering

a while back in woodenboat a fellow modified the plans of a surf dory from gardner, planked it with plywood and made an awesome looking beach cruiser he called tropic bird

anyways if nothing else pull the book out of the library someday, its a great read and you'll learn lots

have fun!

[siberianswampdonkey]

I'll maybe buy the book but I think I'm just going to build something simple this time. I want to build a maine coast peapod traditional style after this.

[DougC]

SSD, good idea. The Gloucester Light Dory is a great first project. It will be a great way to learn what's involved in building a boat, acquire some skills, and you'll have a great boat when you're done. Also it doesn't require a lot of expensive tools or materials.
My first project was a lapstrake Swampscott dory ala John Gardner, it came out fine, but I would have benefited from the experience of building a simpler boat first.

Doug

[edsr]

I would second the notion of getting both "The Dory Book" and the "Building the Glouster Light Dory". Both are very informative.

To my mind The Dory Book is one of the best boating books ever published. The drawings and the variety of boats included is exceptional and there is enough information in this book alone to build a boat and have confidence in the result.

Building a boat, any boat is a learning experience which will reward you every time someone compliments your work - and they will!!

LOL
edsr

[Frank E. Price]

Well, you convinced me. I'm going to get The Dory Book.
Frank

[AHall]

Swampy: If you are going to build a Gloucester Light Dory, I highly reccomend the stretched version. I have one and it is great. handles rough water nicely. The longer waterline,with the same effort, will row circles around the short version. I also have axcess to a Joel White 16, shearwater. The light dory is much faster and more seaworthy.

I will gladly discuss this with you if you would like. Good luck
Andy