| Novice boatbuilders often look at the | | | | an 18-foot Grand Banks style dory (named |
| confusing array of different designs offered | | | | "Centennial" after the 100-year anniversary |
| by boat designers and are perplexed at what | | | | for the Declaration of Independence) made a |
| style of boat is right for their needs and | | | | single-handed crossing of the North Atlantic |
| intended use. All too often an inappropriate | | | | from New York to England. Grand Banks dories |
| boat design is selected because of looks, or | | | | are easy to build, and ideal for most lake, |
| other non-functional consideration when the | | | | river, and ocean use. Their only downside is |
| builder would be far happier building a boat | | | | that they don't power very well, and only |
| whose performance and intended usage more | | | | slower speeds are possible. |
| closely fits intended application. This | | | | |
| article will attempt to address the more | | | | For a small boat that can both row well and |
| common boat designs and arm the new builder | | | | power well, the Carolina Dory is a wise |
| with the information he needs to make the | | | | choice. These were developed after the advent |
| best choice in a small boat design. | | | | of power when it was discovered that the |
| | | | Grand Banks types were too narrow in the |
| One of the most popular boat designs being | | | | stern to power well. A Carolina dory moves |
| built these days is the drift boat, or | | | | along quite well on modest power and yet |
| sometimes called McKenzie River Drift Boat. | | | | still is easily rowed (an important |
| While these boats have their place, more | | | | consideration in the early days when gas |
| often than not, this design is selected for | | | | engines weren't very reliable.) For an |
| its looks, or because they're popular with a | | | | all-round stable family boat, these are a |
| certain group (usually the fly fishing | | | | very wise choice. With moderate power they'll |
| devotees.) Drift boats are an excellent | | | | plane to cross long stretches of water |
| choice when used as they are intended - | | | | rapidly, but retain their very seaworthy dory |
| drifting down-river, but are highly | | | | heritage. They're also one of the easiest |
| unsatisfactory for much else. If you wish to | | | | boats to build. |
| travel back up-river or wish to use the boat | | | | |
| on a calm lake, the difficulty powering such | | | | For an easy-to-build boat that is to be |
| a boat by rowing becomes apparent. They're | | | | powered only, one of the best choices is the |
| designed such that the operator can keep them | | | | Pacific Power dory design. These very |
| pointing down-river, but are very difficult | | | | seaworthy boats were developed in the Pacific |
| to row in a straight line and have very | | | | Northwest to power through rough water and |
| little glide as compared to other types of | | | | remain stable and safe. These boats have a |
| row boats. | | | | heritage of being launched through the surf |
| | | | and are sturdy enough to be used as |
| Some designers have separated the standard | | | | commercial fishing boats. They're also very |
| McKenzie river drift boat into two distinct | | | | easy to build for the first time boat |
| styles: the Western type drift boat, intended | | | | builder. |
| for fast moving narrower rivers, and the | | | | |
| Midwestern type drift boat, more suited to | | | | There are hundreds of different boat designs |
| wider and deeper rivers and lakes. The | | | | available to the amateur boat builder that |
| Western style has severe rocker and high | | | | offer all sorts of different capabilities and |
| sides to handle wild whitewater, while the | | | | require a wide variety of skill levels. Some |
| Midwestern style has less rocker and lower | | | | require careful fitting of parts and learning |
| sides to facilitate both rapids and calmer | | | | specialized skills used by the shipwrights of |
| water where the user can more easily power | | | | the past, while others require only basic |
| the boat by rowing. | | | | carpentry skills. Drift boats and dories, |
| | | | though remain the easiest of all to build and |
| For the person who doesn't intend to use the | | | | offer the novice a great first boat building |
| boat in white water rapids, a while host of | | | | project. Selecting the proper type for the |
| other small boat designs make for more sense. | | | | individual's need, though, is important to |
| The Grand Banks Dory is one such design. | | | | make sure the first project experience is a |
| These are simple to build, incredibly | | | | positive one. |
| seaworthy, and a joy to row or sail. In 1876, | | | | |