View Full Version : Building a Glos'tah Light Dory


Green Light
06-25-2009, 07:27 PM
Hi!

I am not sure if this is the correct forum, but I think it's the closets fit.

I am planning to build a Glos'tah Light Dory this winter. I have done some research already and I have purchased "How to build the Gloucester Light Dory" by Harold "Dynamite" Payson.

I have also found some YouTube videos on boat building and fiberglassing.

I was wondering if anyone has built one or knows of someone who has built one. I have all the tools, I have an empty garage, and I am handy. But, before I start cutting wood, I was hoping to connect up and exchange ideas, lessons learned, etc. I am thinking of going with a sliding rowing seat and carbon fiber sea rowing oars; my expectation is that this is going to make the "interior" design and little challenging and may require some R&D to get the "balance" and "physics" just right

Any feedback or help would be appreciated!!

Backbeach Jake
06-25-2009, 07:58 PM
Buy a Chapelle's boatbuilding book. There's one dedicated to small dorys. Very interesting and informative book. A bunch of different styles of dory. Study this Summer, build this WInter.

Green Light
06-25-2009, 08:11 PM
Thanks for the tip.

Here is the one I found:

"Boatbuilding: A Complete Handbook of Wooden Boat Construction" by Howard Irving Chapelle

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Boatbuilding/Howard-Irving-Chapelle/e/9780393035544/

Is this the one you are thinking of? From the synopsis, it looks comprehensive.

Thanks again.

Tight lines.

beamie
06-25-2009, 09:53 PM
You don't need those in depth wooden boat building books for that job, they will confuse you. I haven't built that but isn't it stitch and glue plywood. Simple once you give it some thought. West or MAS epoxy the piss out of it and go for a row.

Slipknot
06-26-2009, 07:58 AM
I didn't build one of those but I did build a stitch and glue boat 5-6 years ago. I made an 11" garvey skiff boat from plans from these guys http://www.bateau.com/index.php

I built the GV-11. http://www.bmwoodworking.com/gv11.htm
They have a great forum with lots of support for building the boats and they sell supplies.

Good luck with your build, it sounds like quite a project.

Green Light
06-26-2009, 12:31 PM
Backbeach Jake, beamie, & Slipknot, thank you all for the much appreciated feedback! You have given me some really good information. I will post pic's once my boat is done (ETA Spring Cuttyhunk Trip 2010)

MarshCappa
06-26-2009, 10:18 PM
Stop by the Jones River Landing. Ask for Alex aka Blue Water here. He'll introduce you to the guys that build these.

Green Light
06-29-2009, 09:47 AM
Stop by the Jones River Landing. Ask for Alex aka Blue Water here. He'll introduce you to the guys that build these.

Thanks! I'll follow up.

Swimmer
06-30-2009, 12:16 PM
Stop by the Jones River Landing. Ask for Alex aka Blue Water here. He'll introduce you to the guys that build these.


I have a dear friend who instructs there as well. I have been thinking of doing something there under my friends tuteluge.

Green Light
07-06-2009, 09:09 PM
Swimmer, I am planning to build my boat this winter. If you are going to build one, may be we can compare notes via PM's/email.

Aside:
"Boatbuilding: A Complete Handbook of Wooden Boat Construction" by Howard Irving Chapelle sound a little thick to penetrate right now, given that I am new to boat building. When I reach a higher level of ignorance, I most likely will in fact pick it up. I just picked up a used (mint condition) used copy of "Go Build your own boat!" by Harold H. Payson to get an overview of boat building for $2.67. The book is in great condition.