Various Boat Designs

In a more optimistic note than yesterday, Here are some alternate rowing boat plans, all requiring minimal plywood and epoxy.  These designs are from Jim Michalak, a noted designer.

Sport Dory:  http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/sportdory/index.htm

Takes three sheets of quarter inch ply.  Epoxy only in the seams.  Water protection with good paint.

Oracle: http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/oracle/index.htm

Takes 4 sheets of quarter inch ply.  Again, epoxy and glass cloth only in the seams.

This next boat is from Welsford.  Bigger than the above boats, but still smaller than my rowing/sailing boat.  Likely takes 4 sheets of ply, but still epoxy in only the seams, so likely the same amount as the above boats:

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jw/seagull/index.htm

Use these examples to show either that Butler's approach is not the only way to protect a boat from the weather, or switch designers to one who is confident enough in his design that he doesn't specify another two gallons of epoxy.

Options

Hey Alan,  First thing is for me to tell you how sorry and embarrassed I am for shooting you an estimate based on last year's prices and the skimpy amount of information available on the Butler Boat site.

The plans have arrived for the Pacific Troller Dory.  I have read them over a few times and I am ready to go out and build the construction frame.

This morning, I received the plans for building Joansa, a rowing boat designed by John Welsford.  http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jw/joansa/index.htm

I have finally been able to make up a more reasonable estimate for the construction of the Butler Pacific Gunning Dory.  I am afraid, due to the astounding amount of epoxy specified in the plans, and the increase in epoxy prices, my estimate earlier is far away from reality.

At this point, I need to apologize for my extremely optimistic guess on the amount of materials that would be needed, plus my costs were based on the boat I built a year ago.

After reading the materials list for both boats, the Joansa is going to cost less than the Butler Dory.  The biggest reason for the price difference is the amount of epoxy specified to build the Butler Dory.  The dory is built with no frame to support it, using instead, the changing angles of plywood plus the epoxy welds for rigidity.  Welsford's dory has wood frames and fir stringers at all the plywood joins, eliminating much of the epoxy.  Butler specifies his boats to be give three coats of epoxy, inside and out.  Welsford swears by house paint instead.

Here is the basic materials list from each boat plan.

BUTLER DORY

Plywood - Marine grade- 6mm- 2sheets    =$160
                                         4mm - 2sheets    =$130

Epoxy 3 gallons  (including taxes)             =$636

Fibreglass cloth                                          =$55

Epoxy fillers                                                =$20

Fir gunnels etc.                                            =$25

Oar sockets and oar locks      = $40 to $80 depending on design

Oars (from Barkley Sound Oars)   straight = $120
                                                  spoon blade= $250
Taxes not included above                             =  $60

Total  is around                                              $1246 to $1380, depending on                                                                chosen hardware and oars


WELSFORD JOANSA

Plywood - Marine Grade  6mm 2 sheets      = $160
                                           4mm 2 sheets      = $130
Epoxy - 1 1/2 gallons                                     = $318

Fibreglass cloth                                               =$20

Epoxy fillers                                                   =$20

Fir gunnels and stringers                                =$30

Oar sockets and oar locks      = $40 to $80 depending on design

Oars (from Barkley Sound Oars)   straight = $120
                                                  spoon blade= $250
Taxes not included above                             =  $60

Total is around                                              $900 to 1050, depending on chosen hardware and oars.


I just realized I have not added anything for the paint.  My last boat took, maybe, a gallon of good house paint.

Further information that needs to be considered:  The Welsford Joansa is a beautiful boat!  The designer is the man who designed my earliest boat, The Walkabout.  The Joansa is a more time consuming build, so the time factor needs to be considered too.

The Butler dory could be built less expensively, by applying house paint for weather protection, but certainly not reducing the amount of structural fiberglass and epoxy.   Savings in time would be considerable.  Savings in costs?  Maybe a couple of hundred bucks?

I guess you need to make another decision, based on more realistic information.  If this stretches the budget too much at this time, I understand and again apologize for shooting from the hip.   If you want the Butler Pacific dory one way or the other, I will build one.  If you want the Welsford Joansa I will build that one instead.

First Post Nov. 13/2014

The last few winters, I have had a building project.  I need something to keep me occupied during the months when it is too cold to cycle, sail and row.  Last winter, I built the wonderful First Mate rowing/sailing dinghy, designed by Ross Lillistone.  I love that boat and don't want to build a boat to replace it.   I take the First Mate rowing a couple of days a week and love rowing that boat.  

So, here I am, in the middle of November about to build a dedicated rowing boat.  For a couple of reasons.  First is that I am going stir-crazy.  Second is that I want a rowing boat that will easily carry a passenger and can launch from a cart, like a canoe or kayak.  Then, I can row in the estuary near my house.  Then I can take someone along now and again.  If the boat happens to be faster and no less sea-worthy?  All to the good.  

I happened upon Paul Butler's Pacific Troller Dory design and fell in love with the lines and marveled at the simple building technique.  It promises to be capable.  Previous builders have posted glowing reports!

Then I unearthed a suggestion I'd made to my friend about finding a suitable design for a rowing boat to build for his wife

.  

I think I have the perfect plan!  I shall build Karen's boat this winter.  I now have something to keep me occupied.  Because it is a late start, yet needs to be done in time for her birthday, there is some sense of urgency!  Some added incentive for delaying the mundane household chores as this boat needs to be done!  

Once the boat is done and I have rowed it over my customary course, I shall be able to decide if it will fill the needs I mentioned.  

Feels like a win/win situation! 

The attached photos are taken from

 http://www.butlerprojects.com/boats/pacific/index.htm

Pictures submitted by previous builder.