Building the Grand banks Dory- just ALMOST starting.

[Araczek]

I might be starting this soon. Almost tooled up. As far as the initial starting point of building the bottom I think I will choose the 3 plank method. So I have seen
a couple different ways of doing the bottom, flat or slightly curved. Which is the better way? Will it make a difference in subsequent assembly? In doing this first
project I don't want to cut corners, I want to learn.

Let me know what you folks think.

...Alan

 

[Corsair]

If you have no experience with wood models, I would say flat bottom since it will be easier to make.

 

[MarTay6]

I just finished up this Dory, making the oars right now- the curved bottom is not that difficult- you just dampen the bottom, lay it between 2 small pieces of wood and place a weight on the middle and let it sit overnight. That will give you all the curve you need. Also, it will help it fit better over the frames, as whether you curve it slightly or not- it's still going to be fit to the frames.

 

[Grandpa]

I might be starting this soon. Almost tooled up. As far as the initial starting point of building the bottom I think I will choose the 3 plank method. So I have seen
a couple different ways of doing the bottom, flat or slightly curved. Which is the better way? Will it make a difference in subsequent assembly? In doing this first
project I don't want to cut corners, I want to learn.

Let me know what you folks think.

...Alan

Alan

Is this a kit? Or did you do some research and decided to make one say based on John Gardener’s book rightly name “ The Dory”

 

[Robert Halliday]

I might be starting this soon. Almost tooled up. As far as the initial starting point of building the bottom I think I will choose the 3 plank method. So I have seen
a couple different ways of doing the bottom, flat or slightly curved. Which is the better way? Will it make a difference in subsequent assembly? In doing this first
project I don't want to cut corners, I want to learn.

Let me know what you folks think.

...Alan

My favorite way to make a dory is to start with a solid plug made to scale. I used the plan of a Lunenburg dory to make the plug to 1:16 scale, then plank over the plug that has the bend in the floor. It is imperative to make a slot in the plug for the fore and aft knee and attach the floor first with pins. The plug must be well waxed. The final exercise is to complete the interior while maintaining the spread of the gunnels until the frames are in place. Good luck.

 

[Grandpa]

This was a kit

 

[AndyA]

I had the honor of meeting John Gardner at Small Craft Workshops at Mystic Seaport in the 70's and 80's. He was a gentleman, a scholar, and a fountain of information on traditional small craft. "The Dory Book"should be required reading for anyone building a model of a dory. Another marvelous book by a remarkable man is "The Dory Model Book" by Dynamite Payson (also should be required reading). Fair winds!

 

[Grandpa]

Andy that must have been a great day! Meeting John Gardner like you did, now we just have his books and legacy to draw from for knowledge as we apply it to our work.

 

[AndyA]

Andy that must have been a great day! Meeting John Gardner like you did, now we just have his books and legacy to draw from for knowledge as we apply it to our work.

The Small Craft Workshops were sponsored by the Traditional Small Craft Association and Mystic Seaport Museum. They were marvelous affairs; I attended many of them starting in 1976. There were many knowledgeable people and many interesting boats (ones that attendees brought as well as museum boats) that you could paddle, row, and/or sail. I also had the chance to meet other notables of the small craft world including Pete Culler, Phil Bolger, and Ben Fuller. Fair winds!

 

[KLaw]

I just finished up this Dory, making the oars right now- the curved bottom is not that difficult- you just dampen the bottom, lay it between 2 small pieces of wood and place a weight on the middle and let it sit overnight. That will give you all the curve you need. Also, it will help it fit better over the frames, as whether you curve it slightly or not- it's still going to be fit to the frames.

I too finished this kit Dory a few months ago and I agree, just follow the included instructions. The bottom is really not that difficult to assemble and give it the desired curve.

 

[AndyA]

I too finished this kit Dory a few months ago and I agree, just follow the included instructions. The bottom is really not that difficult to assemble and give it the desired curve.

In general, bank dories that were used on the banks had more rocker, which increased seaworthiness, while dories used inshore had flatter bottoms, which made them easier to row. Fair winds!