anyone own a dory?

[CHUMSALMON]

i posted this on the main board and was told by Miss B. to post it over hear, so hear goes.

the boat building bug has hit me and i am seriously contemplateing building a 16 foot power dory. but, before i go and purchase teh plans i am curious to hear any input people may have on dorys, like how they handle in rough water? does the flat bottom tend to pound? any advice or experiences would be appreciated.

as a side note, i've already been asked "why build a 16 footer" well, i have a fairly small garage adn a 16 foot boat is all i can fit in there, and i do not want to store the boat outside (weather is just to hard on it) also, there are financial reasons, i can run a smaller motor on a 16 footer, and won't hurt my pocket book as much, i kind of chose a dory for this reason, that and i've hear that they handle rougher water fairly well.
I'll be using the boat in the northern puget sound area (around Bellingham) and i'm not the type to go out in REAL nasty weater.

again, any advice or input, i would really appreciate.
thanks in advance.
chum.

[Mark Mc]

Hi Chum, why yes I do have a dory of sorts. Mine is a modified dory design - it has a high bow, but not the exaggerated bow you see in the surf dories. It's 21 ft 9 inches. It has a vee entry, but flattens out about 4 feet aft into a flat bottom. It's incredibly stable when trolling or drifting in steep seas. The problem with most dories that they throw a lot of spray when you run at high or moderate speeds in wind chop. And the spray goes right up & over, in your face. So if it doesn't have a high windshield or small roof, you're going to get wet. Add some swell to that wind chop, and yes it pounds if you try too run fast (as would most flat bottom boats in same conditions). Mine has high freeboard, and a raised / curved stern, so it's real dry as far as water coming over the side or stern. Bottom line: very seaworthy, just a wet & sometimes bumpy ride in the chop. - Mark

[fish assassin]

Hey ChumSalmon,

I answered you on the other board ... send me e-mail
if you have any specific questions!

-assAssin-

[CHUMSALMON]

mark and fish assian, thank you very much for your responses, those were exactly the information i was looking for. the boat i'm looking at is called a 16 foot headwater designed by Tracy Obrien, from chehalis washingotn.

as for the flat bottom pounding, i figured as much, but, i can handle that, it's not a real big deal to me, i've ridden in many flat bottom boats, and suspected teh dory would be the same.

As for teh wet ride, i didn't know that but, it also doesn't bother me. the one i'm planning on building will have a center console, and all the rest will be open for more fishing room, so i was planning on getting wet already.

The whole reason for me building the boat, is that i can do it within my budget i have right now.

fish..
you've answered my questions to more than what i expected, thank you. i may take you up on the email offer, if i can think of any more questions.
thanks again to all,
chumsalmon

[Deepslayer]

Chum I have no experience with a dory, but a few months ago I was in the local library and they had a couple of books on dories. Each one of these books had detailed plans on building different model dories. Maybe you can check out the library up there and see if there are any books available. It might save you a few bucks on your costs.

[pkg40]

A Drift boat is basically an east coast style dory, which has a tremendous reputation for load carrying and sea worthiness. Can be driven with a tiny motor and rowed when the motor breaks down. Any doubts about that and you should read about the fellows that crossed the Altlantic in one. If you aren't addicted to the idea of speed, this could be an option with river running capabilities to boot.

[edsr]

Chumsalmon

I finished building a dory last fall. It is 23' has a console and an outboard mounted in a well.

What the other folks said about handling, etc. I haven't pushed the rough water envelope to see just how much water it can handle. I was able to figure out a way to add flotation to make it safer.

Stick with the designer's plans as close as you can, changes can be harmful to your health. Don't skimp on the quality of materials, by the time you are finished they will be the cheapest ingredient.

If you want to give me a call I would be gald to pass on what info I can.

Best of luck on your project
edsr

[You Betcha]

Chumsalmon:
I have had a flat bottom 16 ft. Alumaweld Sea Dory since 1988. Had a 90horse with a pump untill 3 months ago when I put a 90 Honda prop on it. I have noticed that I have a much smoother ride with the prop probably because I am getting up a little higher when I am running. I have ran all over the Columbia and Willamette rivers and the bays with no problems. Hope this helps.

[ 11-22-2002, 03:34 PM: Message edited by: You Betcha ]

[CHUMSALMON]

thanks to everyones reply's,
you have all helped in making my decision. it looks like i will probably purchase the plans towards the end of this month and start the project in december.
thanks again.
chumsalmon :smile: