Introduction and some questions

Hi everyone,

I'm Colin, been rubber boating for 8 years or so now, based out of Flagstaff. I've been lurking for a while going through build threads and trying to get a sense of what sort of thought process goes into putting a boat together. Browsing through Shawn and Guy's builds the last few days and something clicked, so I've been on a tear of sketches and models trying to come up with a plan for something to build. Since I've got no experience building boats and even less of a clue it's been an interesting stumble in the dark so far.

I'm normally a cat boater, but lately I've been wanting something smaller and easier to deal with for little trips or fishing out on a lake. The cat (16' Jag) is great for longer trips, but putting it together is a chore and leaving it assembled/trailering isn't an option for me right now. Plus the straps. So many straps. Fewer straps would be nice. Something that can slip into the back of my truck would be even nicer.

Recently tossed by first boat, a 12' SOTAR self-bailer with a busted floor I picked up for a couple hundred bucks and glued into something less like a bucket boat and more like a colander. Took it down the Grand a few years ago for my first time rowing a raft and it did well enough but wasn't worth constantly repairing, especially after getting a cat. Now I've got a set of 9' wooden oars with no boat to pair them with. If I remember right at least one of the blades has a twist in it, so cutting those up and rebuilding might be an early project as I figure things out.

So I'm thinking why not build something smallish, easy to transport, and good for shorter trips on Western rivers plus maybe some bigger ones if it ends up stout enough and friends will tolerate the shenanigans. It'd be my first wooden boat and the first one I've put together so 'perfection' or anything like it isn't a priority. A horrible failure would still be a good learning opportunity if it floats for a spell. I'm pretty limited on space, so it'd all need to be done in the driveway or the kitchen/dining room/shop space in my apartment.

I haven't ordered any books yet, really just getting my feet wet, but here's a very initial look at what I'm thinking of after looking at the mini-dory and doryaks for inspiration and taking some uneducated guesses at dimensions. It'd be G&S glassed marine ply (1/4" sides, 1/2" bottom?) built on a strongback, I think. At least on my cat I really like the rowing bay a bit forward, so I set it 6" up of center, but again these are total guesses that I need to do more research on and refine.

Is there a good resource for learning about how all the various geometry influences handling? It seems like at the smaller scale all the little tweaks have much more influence on the overall shape so I'd like to try and get a better grasp of that. I'll probably make a 1:12 wooden model before jumping into anything full size. At some level I don't know what I don't know so I'm not quite sure what to ask just yet.

Edit: A bit more playing around with 3d modeling.

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Permalink Reply by Colin Giegerich on April 30, 2021 at 2:30pm

A bit more refinement trying to clean up the fairing and establish some reference points that are easy to work with. Also added an outline of where I think a footwell might go based on where the beam lands 8" FOC.

Currently 126" long with a 60" beam, 22" at the oar locks, 8" bow, 6" stern, 36" bottom.

Looks more like I think it should if nothing else.

Permalink Reply by Bennett Yarbrough on May 1, 2021 at 6:06pm

With you being in flagstaff and with covid finally getting under control id contact Brad dimock at fretwaterlines.com I’d say he’s got everything you need to know right there in town. Maybe cost a bottle of tequila. That’d probably be the best one stop shop for design comparison.

Permalink Reply by Colin Giegerich on May 10, 2021 at 7:40pm

Planning on it once I have something worth talking about. Got some mutual friends.

Decided to brush up on the basics first and turn a couple broken oars into a SUP paddle. Realized the crack on one of the blades runs deeper than I thought. Planning on cutting that in half to make some kind of dovetail joint that I can build the rest of the blade off of. Maybe pinned or some kind of trapezoid that supports the joint.

Permalink Reply by Colin Giegerich on May 26, 2021 at 2:45pm

A bit of progress. Just need to fit this last piece and should be able to stick on the rest of the blade and start shaping.

Permalink Reply by Shawn Baker on July 1, 2021 at 4:31pm

Hey Colin!
I have very similar dimensions on my little 10'-6" Black Eagle dory build.  I went for more of a "Briggs" shape, but that doesn't mean you have to.  This size and floor width will be very maneuverable and fun regardless of your exact hull shape.  The 'Lil Bastard grand banks style dory I inherited has a much flatter floor and finer lines and is still a little sports car.

only thing I'd add is that I'd make sure you center your body but put your oarlocks ahead of center.  I think your footwell is in a really good spot if that black dot is the COG.  These little things are really sensitive to trim row best when they're fairly level. Putting your navel in the center of the boat is best for the boat's trim when empty...and you can always change the trim with a gear load.  You don't want your body too far forward or back in an empty boat or you'll have to haul gear on a day trip to get the balance right.

Check out my build and hit me up if you have any questions.
http://woodenboatpeople.org/forum/topics/yb

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