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