Dinghy advice?

[Chris152]

A friend recently gave us this Gloucester Light Dory rowing boat, which had sat for umteen years,



and which we did some basic work on to look like this:



It's 15'6" long and a faff to load onto my lad's car, much worse to get onto my van, so I went looking for a cheap trailer, up to a few hundred pounds, and found this for £425.



A trailer plus Max Craft 12' dinghy. I couldn't resist, as the lad wanted to try his Granddad's old Seagull motor on a boat and it was looking a bit precarious on the Dory. The boat is in good condition, and has the original gel coat. However, it's all a bit plastic (GRP actually) and I'd like to improve the seating. I just mocked this up with old Ikea bed boards so you can see what I'm thinking, but want something like this, so it's possible for whoever's using the outboard to move position to trim the boat.



I'd also like to have wooden slats running cross-wise on the existing seats to strengthen them (there's a small crack that weakens the central seat - we'll also reinforce this with glass fibre/ resin) and again, because it'll look nicer than grp, I think.

And so, a question. Given that the wood will be attached to the surface of the GRP seats and not held firmly to a frame, what wood is best? Having read around, it seems ply may be most suitable as it's pretty inert in sun/ water, but thought I'd ask here as some of you know best. I'd prefer mahogany, but we have to know our limits... Also, how might we attach the wood? I was thinking maybe to make the seats as a single piece, and attach to the existing seats with resin and a few screws.

Thanks for any thoughts, Chris

ps What I've always really wanted is to build something like a Chris Craft, but time's an issue!

 

[AJB Temple]

There is a reason why seating is not orientated like that on small motor boats with next to no keel. Before you do it, float the boat and see how easily it tilts when one or two people are sat on one side.

 

[Mike G]

Hi Chris. Good to see you. It's been a while.

 

[Chris152]

Adrian - ours is an early one, but most did have seats along the sides, which isn't to say it was a good idea! That said, it'd only be for the person controlling the outboard to adjust position forward, a second person would be sat forward and on the opposite side. If nothing else, the side seats might make a good place to put your sandwiches away from the deck

Thanks Mike. I'm afraid my efforts with wood have more or less ground to a halt, mainly because my son's taken over the space I used as a workshop to work with metal, it's now filled with car and motorbike parts and some machinery! I'm happy with that though, I find one of the best things is learning new things and really enjoying working with him. I've also had a health issue the past 1.5 years which needs regular treatment and leaves me tired a fair bit of the time - but the treatment seems to be working so far. Have you managed to make a start on your boat build yet? I remember seeing plans for a lovely boat a while back.

 

[akirk]

I love the fact that to get a trailer you bought a second boat - surely to get seating you should be on the look out for a third boat?!

Marine ply with yacht varnish is the cheap easy solution
Teak / Mahogany / etc. the expensive approach (and also much heavier)

 

[Chris152]

Thanks Alasdair - I'd like the hardwood route but tbh the boat's not really worth the expense, and without bracing could move too much? I'm most likely to go down the ply route, I think, but still wondering about how to attach to the existing seating. That said, doing nothing is an option, trying it out as Adrian says (we're just waiting on one new part for the trailer and we're ready to go) and take it from there.
If all's well, we'll probably sell in spring and instead, buy a different boat, one that's more suitable for the sea (we've been looking at newer Dell Quay Eurosports, an all-round fun boat as far as I can tell).
It's funny how a free boat leads to so much expense in the longer run - I was quite resigned to looking at pics of beautiful wooden boats til that happened...

 

[AJB Temple]

Hi Chris

Have you done much power boating at sea? If not I would highly recommend one of the short practical RYA powerboat course and certificate. If you are looking at a DQ Euro or similar just make sure you have spent some time on one. IME lots of people find dory type boats make them a bit seasick and they are not much fun in choppy water as they can be pretty slappy. If you plan to use it is a fishing or diving platform then maybe try a RIB as well as they are a great deal more stable at rest in any kind of choppy water, and nearly everyone finds a RIB easier to float off the trailer. If you get weather the lack of freeboard might be an issue in the dory. Most of my water experience was ages ago and teaching sailing on biggish boats, but I did the powerboat stuff again with offspring a few years ago to get him licensed. Most of the boaty types regarded dory style as harbour and estuary boats in sheltered water, unless going large (23' area). Cathedral hull means you would get away with a smaller engine though on a dory (cheaper). Good luck and have fun.

 

[Chris152]

Hi Chris

Have you done much power boating at sea? If not I would highly recommend one of the short practical RYA powerboat course and certificate. If you are looking at a DQ Euro or similar just make sure you have spent some time on one. IME lots of people find dory type boats make them a bit seasick and they are not much fun in choppy water as they can be pretty slappy. If you plan to use it is a fishing or diving platform then maybe try a RIB as well as they are a great deal more stable at rest in any kind of choppy water, and nearly everyone finds a RIB easier to float off the trailer. If you get weather the lack of freeboard might be an issue in the dory. Most of my water experience was ages ago and teaching sailing on biggish boats, but I did the powerboat stuff again with offspring a few years ago to get him licensed. Most of the boaty types regarded dory style as harbour and estuary boats in sheltered water, unless going large (23' area). Cathedral hull means you would get away with a smaller engine though on a dory (cheaper). Good luck and have fun.

That's really helpful, Adrian. I've not been in a DQ Dory, just seen people diving into the water from them and like the look of stability, so it's based on little. My interest stems from when we were kids, dad built a Mirror dinghy and that was a big part of our holidays down in South Devon (Newton Ferrers, in case you know it). (ETA I also drove a ski boat on one of the great lakes in Canada for one summer - but that was so long ago I can't say I could do it now.) I think it's fair to say that ever since, I've wanted a boat and the gift of the Gloucester dory set that in motion again - coupled with a trip to the upper Milford Haven a couple of years ago, which reminded me of the beauty of South Devon's inlets. They run a Level 2 RYA powerboat course in Cardiff Bay over two days, a bit much for me but I spoke to my lad about doing it so he can pass on the wisdom to me in our own time. Apart from anything else, it seems you need that or a year's boating experience to get boat insurance (never heard of in the days of our Mirror Dinghy, as far as I'm aware!).
A RIB sounds like a good option - both fishing (for sure) and diving are on the cards, and I wasn't aware of the wave-slap issue with dories.
The plan for now is to get these little boats in the still/ slow-moving water and get a feel under oar and (Seagull) outboard, and hopefully move up a gear come next spring.
I really appreciate your advice.

 

[AJB Temple]

Yep. Know it well. Used to sail out of Salcombe, Dartmouth etc mainly and do boat deliveries from all along the south coast builders and refurb yards, Cowes etc. My gf at the times Dad built a mirror in his garage. There were a lot of them about back then, but most people who got keen quickly gravitated to the Merlin Rockets which we used as teaching and regatta boats. I was only a kid myself really.

If you go even a little way offshore then you will see why the lifeboat guys use RIBs for routine and fast stuff. You just can't do it in a dory safely if the weather turns. But if you are pootling about in a calm bay a dory is cool. Honestly, do the Level 2 if you can. It's really easy and the first day is spent learning slow manoeuvring, coming alongside, controlled approach to the dock, some tidal stuff etc and is not stressful. Well worth it. 2nd day you will do a bit of faster stuff usually and getting the boat on the plane, keeping a good watch, MOB (using a float) etc. Will give you the bug and boost your confidence. You will love it. If you can go at least 18ft.

 

[RogerS]

Nothing wrong with a RIB but my own experience is that unless you have the muscles of Arnie, they are very very hard to get back into if you fall or dive in. DAMHIKT

 

[AJB Temple]

Agree it's not easy without assistance if upper body strength is not so good. However, it's taught on the courses now Rog. But with a suitable RIB (ie not titchy) you can have a folding ladder fixed to the transom which is safe and easy (engines off / disengaged). You can also get a rope ladder attachment that aids recovery over the tube from either side. It's one of the reasons why I think the courses are pretty much essential.

 

[akirk]

I used to own a searider RIB which had a flooding double skinned hull - when down in the water it flooded and was more stable, on the plane it drained and was lighter - very clever - only 4m, but seriously capable (there is a series currently being completed on YouTube by a chap called Harry Dwyer taking one around the UK)

would agree with all that Adrian says - RIBs really are superb, and definitely do the PB2 as a minimum, it is a lot of fun and better than getting someone else to pass it on to you…