Seeking tips for Dory build

Hello,

I have just ordered a Northeaster Dory kit with spacered inwale option. I will be using it for exercise, fishing and exploring local waterways.

I have been reading many threads on modifications and tips on building.  

I would appriciate any tips for a first time boat builder that are Dory specific. I will keep searching and reading as well.  

I was thinking of rounding over rail edges and seat edges to make the corners along the edge more pleasing to handle.

I plan on using my router table to do the rounding before assemble whenever possible. When not possible I will round by hand. 

Thanks for the knowledge that is shared on the forum.

Rich

 


48 replies:

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RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

 1:  Use a little extra care fitting the puzzle joints together it might take a little sanding so they fit easily and the seams are flush.2: hand sanding works suprisingly well  apply some spray adhesive to the  Back of a sheet  fold in half and cut  to size 3:l like to tape off the fillets 4:keep a gallon of cheap vinegar around, its the only thing that washes the epoxy off your skin 5: count out loud when using epoxy pumps and swipe stirrers from  coffee shops to mix.6: there's allways room for one more boat .I'm about 2/3  of the way through a ne dory but its my 5th clc boat

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

I agree with everything Greg just said. Especially the comment on hand sanding. I used a power sander for about 1/2 of my build, then discovered that a cheap sanding block worked better and was far less noisy! Don’t forget to wear a GOOD dust mask. I was working away one day and realized I had forgot to put it on. I felt like a had a nasty cold for several days after. As for Dory specific issues. one upgrade I found really helpful is to add rope along the leading edge of the bow as well as along the skeg. There are several threads on this site about it, I am at work and can’t take the time to search right now. This makes a very durable wear surface for points that tend to hit the ground when beaching. The Dory is the only boat I have had the joy of building, so far. And it truly was a joy, so best advice I can give? Don’t rush, don’t stress, use as many hand tools as you can.    

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Thank you, Mikeflys and Greg27 for your advise. I like the tape the fillets idea to reduce sanding and creating a nice even fillet. All the advise will come in to play once I can get started. Kit should ship out next week.

I have seen some boats locally that have put stainless steel guards on the bow and skeg. I read one thread on here that added the Dynel fabric bedded in graphite-filled epoxy. Is one method easier, better, harder?

Thanks,

Rich

 

 

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

I was having a lot of trouble with damage to the bow and the skeg at first. I had tried a product call Keeleasy that advertised to help. 1 landing on a cement boat launch tore right through it. I was about to try stainless when I remembered reading a thread on using rope. I gave that a try and have been very pleased with the results. Basically, you soak whatever rope you wish to use in un-thickened epoxy and apply it to the boat. It is tough as nails and looks …right, nautical you might say.      

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Any particular type of rope.

i..w I got some extra braided 3/8 line.

 

I am tring to get into Boston harbour this year before it freezes over.

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   The lake I live on is all limestone and dolostone, but the hull of my dory never touches these sharp rocks. All you need is a single beach roller made of 4" black currugated pipe -- cut to friction-fit between the thwarts. 

To bring the boat ashore, I spin the dory around and come in stern first. (Easy to do because it is essentially double-ended.) I hop out in shallow water before the hull touches, grab my beach roller, throw it down at water's edge, spin the boat, gently lift the bow onto the roller, and pull it up until the bow is weighted. I toss a cushion or PFD under the bow so that it never touches rock.

As to finishing the boat, I like a bright finish but I don't like sanding more than necessary. I'm a big believer that both MAS epoxy and Interlux Spar Varnish are best applied "hot." That is, a second coat can go on as soon as the first coat is dry to the touch but before it has fully hardened. What you want is a chemical bond between coats that have not fully cured. With epoxy you can probably put on a second coat in as little as four hours and certainly within 24 hours. With varnish I'd be comfortable putting on as many as three coats in a single day. Of course, you should let both epoxy and varnish dry for several days before sanding for a finish coat.

Especially in varnishing, the idea is to build up several very thin coats and only then sand out whatever drips you may have. If the coats are thin enough, you won't have any drips at all -- but I've never managed that! Your final coat is the one that counts. It needs to be drip-free and also free of holidays. Good luck with that!

I'll add that I varnished my dory nearly two years ago and the finish has held up so well that I don't plan to refinish it this winter either.

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   The best trick I know about fillets is to let the epoxy get tacky and then dip a gloved hand into denatured alcohol and rub the fillet until it is smooth. It works wonders.

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Think about striking a line straight down the center of the bottom panel, inside and out, before you stitch anything together. It will make aligning mast step, daggerboard trunk, skeg and rudder Much easier. The outside line will never be seen, inside will be hidden by all kinds of stuff while underway. Wish I'd done it on my dory build. Also think about marking center line on the transom before installation also. That will make getting the rudder attached in the right place easier. Go easy on this line though, it will be visable.

Good luck,

e

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Trace the outside of the bulkhead panels  with a sharpie onto your work bench,you'll have a guide to  cut your floatation or anything else you want to fit the inside of the hull (I was considering building a wanningan)

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   A lot of good input. Thanks to all. 

I like the rope idea and marking a centerline on the bottom.

I am getting the garage ready now in preparation for delivery. I am contemplating building a rolling table to build on. The videos if the Dory builds show 2 saw horses. 

Any thoughts on a rolling table? Not needed just extra work and the 2 saw horses work great.

Thanks

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I'm not sure what you have in mind for a rolling table. I built mine with 2 saw horses. In fact, I used the design that CLC has on its site. Are you going to have help? I did all the construction myself,but I did get help from family when I needed to turn it over. It's just a bit bulky for one person to do easly.

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I already have saw horses. I have help available if needed. 

I was thinking a table to move it arround as my garage is not very big and I will be corner to corner with the dory as I am building. I will probably have to move it forward and back to work around the ends.

I will try the saw horses and see how if goes. I can always make a rolling table later if needed. 

Thanks,

Rich

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Ah now I understand. As long as you can lock the wheels when you are working. That's a great idea!

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I just ordered a dory kit too. It should be delivered in a few weeks. This thread is super helpful. Keep 'em coming!

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

When you start applying epoxy and/or fillets, you'll often need to move goop from one place to another. (You don't want it pooling up, dripping, or creating lumps that must be sanded later.) If you slice a plastic cup a few inches down from the top, you can scoop epoxy up with your plastic spreader and then use the slit in the cup to scrape it off the spreader and into the cup for later use.   

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Thanks to all for your tips and suggestions.

I am sure I will be asking plenty of question after my kit arrive in a couple of weeks. 

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

Started gluing Memorial Day, worked most every weekend sanding, gluing, sanding, epoxying, sanding, It's 95% assembled, working on 3d coat of paint on outside and epoxy/varnish on inside and spars, seats, rudder, centerboard, etc.  Random build thoughts:

Tools - shinto rasp (great for taking off wood but be careful); cabinet scraper (great for removing epoxy and smoothing wood); random orbital sander hooked to shopvac and using smart power strip to turn on vac when sander is turned on; $1 spring clamps and $10 for pvc pipe cut for clamps

Assembly - ensure puzzle joints are flat, clamps are probably better than weights, use spacer blocks length of boards while gluing so there are no bends; be very careful sanding wood that will be finished bright - plywood layers are thin. Start with cabinet scraper and work up using fine sand paper; cellofil makes white blobs, wood filled epoxy makes brown - think about what will show and how much cleanup there will be and decide which to use for gluing.  Adjust amount of cellofil/wood filler to adjust color; Don't smear squeeze out, use scraper/clean it up or let it cure (easier to remove), smearing makes a bigger mess across more area; rout outer edges of inwales and gunwales before assembly; rout inner, front edges of centerboard and skeg before assembly (makes a groove when assembled) so you can fill with epoxy fillet on front edges (vs epoxy rope);

Tips - read the CLC assembly manual a couple times; look at build pictures (Moonchaser, smittypaddler, bshillam and others - all very helpful - thanks to them for posting); search/read the CLC forum prior to each big step; before cutting, gluing or major shaping (shinto, belt sander, etc) lay out bits and practice/walk through actions - measure 2-3 times, cut once

​Most errors are recoverable/fixable/hideable. Remember it's a boat, not furniture - what you see at 1-2 ft won't be noticed at 10 ft.  You can spend a lot of time for very little gain (or have a big mess up - too much sanding or "improving").  Enjoy the build.   

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

Hi Rich,

Not sure whether that would help you, but when I was building my Chester Yawl (in progress) in the linked picture, I used some 2X4 I had laying around and quickly assembled this cradle: I used the horizontal 2X4’s to put the hull together, until the strakes were glued. Then, I added the two straps (heavy fabric my wife had laying around) between the vertical posts. Once I put the boat in that sling (by myself), I could easily flip the hull over at will, singlehandedly. For ease, I added small casters under the cradle so that I could move the boat between the garage and outside for such things as epoxy, sanding, etc. 

It was something I did quickly and without much thought, but that ended up being extremely helpful. So much so, that I kept the cradle in my basement ... just in case another boat wants to be built ;-)

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B81mbFEcmsHoM2VKV3Vaam1LWUE

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Eric,

Thanks for the picture. Your boat looks great. I like the cradle. 

Thanks,

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I buit a 20' bench on rollers , I even added a bottom shelf so  I could stash a kayak on the bottom shelf ( like I said there's always room for 1 more) I can give you details if you want to build one.I also instaled an electric hoist on a roller track and cradles on the wall . I can't figure out how to do pics on this site ,let me know if you want more info

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Hi Greg27,

I would like more information on your table and hoist system.

You can email me at [email protected]

Thanks,

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

Here are a few thoughts that might help some:

  • Out of 2X4s I built two vertically adjustable stands and covered the tops of them with old carpet.  I found that the right height for working on the outer hull was not the right height for putting in hours on the inner hull.  A few turns on some thumb screws allowed me to save my back.
  • Solo cups, sixteen ounce size, are great for mixing all of your epoxy.  You can re-use each for a couple of quick batches, but then just throw them away and get another clean one when you're finished or when they get too sticky or messy.
  • Tape your fillets then smooth with a wet (alcohol) finger two hours after they were put in.
  • Sponge sanding blocks are worth their weight.
  • I'm still using a 3/4" filleting tool (wooden) to stir all of my epoxy.
  • The more evenly the epoxy goes on, the less sanding is required for a great finish.   
  • Silicon spatulas of all shapes, sizes, rounds and curves make remarkably good filleting tools.  The silicon has a nice amount of flex in it and the epoxy won't adhere..
  • Work carefully and slowly and enjoy what you're doing.  

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

Here are a few thoughts that might help some:

  • Out of 2X4s I built two vertically adjustable stands and covered the tops of them with old carpet.  I found that the right height for working on the outer hull was not the right height for putting in hours on the inner hull.  A few turns on some thumb screws allowed me to save my back.
  • Solo cups, sixteen ounce size, are great for mixing all of your epoxy.  You can re-use each for a couple of quick batches, but then just throw them away and get another clean one when you're finished or when they get too sticky or messy.
  • Tape your fillets then smooth with a wet (alcohol) finger two hours after they were put in.
  • Sponge sanding blocks are worth their weight.
  • I'm still using a 3/4" filleting tool (wooden) to stir all of my epoxy.
  • The more evenly the epoxy goes on, the less sanding is required for a great finish.   
  • Silicon spatulas of all shapes, sizes, rounds and curves make remarkably good filleting tools.  The silicon has a nice amount of flex in it and the epoxy won't adhere..
  • Work carefully and slowly and enjoy what you're doing.  

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   This weekend I'll put together some pics and instructions for a bench , wall mounted cradles , and electric hoist system. I'll probably put it on clc's facebook page ,its easier for me to add pictures

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Thank you greg27

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I put up some pics on clc'sfacebook page  of the bench along with a brief description. Let me know if your serious about the hoist I'll need to look up the specific parts I used basical I hung the track  to a beam run accros the rafters using threaded rod

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   greg27,

I do not see the the photos on the clc facebook page. 

I received my kit and will start later this week.

Thanks

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Here is a link to Greg's post. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1488703674579024&set=p.1488703674579024&type=3&theater

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Thanks Jameson.

I received my kit. I start gluing this weekend. 

Thanks for all the tips.

Rich

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

 It's been a while since I've been on the forum -- but here is a link to my dory build album.  I was also a first time builder, and also installed inwales on my dory.  Cheers,

Dave M.

https://goo.gl/photos/kvLCqExcr1UNvWMh9    

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Dave,

Thanks for the link. I hope my Dory is half a beautiful as yours.

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   No worries. Your dory is going to be terrific! Just read the manual a couple of times before starting, take things one step at a time, and remember that mistakes are inevitable and can always be corrected.

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

What Birch2 said.  Have blast building the kit -- I sure did.

Dave M.   

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I have glued up the seat/boat supports. (They probably have an official name but I forget). I thought I did a good job getting all the epoxy drips but the epoxy can can drip and get places I did not fiind. I have quite a few on each one. The cabinet scraper is working very well with cleaning them up. A few more hours cleaning and sanding and I will be able to glue the bottom and side boards together. 

Thanks for all the tips. I will post pictures later from home.

Rich

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I have made some progress. I am at the fiberglassing the inside stage after the first flip. Ii has been going well so far. The skeg has a very slight bend at the front end. I do not think it will be a problem straightening it out when installing it with the screws.  The transom was a pain to get lined up correctly. I had to add a couple of additional wires to bring it into compliance. 

Posting pictures here is a bit of a challange so I have some pictures on google photos. Click the link to see them. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cVTzMbKjm5GuJ5uj2

Thanks,

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Trying to get the link to be clickable.

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/cVTzMbKjm5GuJ5uj2

 

I think it should work now.

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I'm not seeing any mistakes. You must not be following any of my advice. ;-)

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I have been going slow and trying to keep things from going sideways. I have gone over the next step many time looking for ways it could go wrong. I only had a little time to work on it this weekend. I got the masking done on the 2nd board and dryfit the breast hook. I just clamped it on to see how it fit. 

I did not like the fit. I added a couple of screws along with the clamps and it fits well now. Before adding screws there was about a 1/16  inch gap along the edge with the top board. The underside is touching but not the top edge. I will add pictures after I remember to take them. I keep forgetting to take pictures of things. I will not be epoxing it in until it is the correct time to do so per the instructions. 

I am thinking of masking when I epoxy the bulkheads. Has anyone done this? it seems it would make clean up easier.

Thanks,

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Just trying to link direct to photo.

 

 

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Ok it worked. 

 

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

Looking good. You are just a little further ahead than I am. 

I just finished the "whiskey plank" and decided to celebrate appropriately. Who am I to argue with tradition? 

One measurement that I didn't take was the height from the table to the ceiling. Whoops! I quickly discovered that error when trying to flip it. I'll just need to set up a similar rig to what you have to hang it from the ceiling and drop the table height before fliping. 

I'm with you on the transom. Challenging to wrestle that together. It got much easier to line it up once the additional strakes came on. 

Otherwise, I'm super happy with how easily it has come together so far!

   

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   When I flipped the boat I had to move the sawhorses out of the way and lower it pretty far to clear the airfilter and garage door opener. 

It flips real easy with the straps. I put hooke in the ceiling joists. Made it real easy. 

I have not run into any big problems yet. It is going well.

I was not aware of the wiskey plank tradition. 

Rich

 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

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RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I have filleted the thwarts, added the breast hook, glassed the inside and removed stitches. I have added photos to the link below. 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOBT3_JFhh2cEIm9fBbPIC63K31LfbcGMg-7n878fuJPa2O8sYMzHzsnQqHUw-pDg?key=c0RQcWdDeFY2SlpVR3JrS0FTdTl5NTJwZXlMX1hB

I have some small bubbles. I have read on the forum I can drill two little holes and use a syringe to inject some epoxy under the glass. These are about 1/8th inch wide and 1-2 inches long. Does anyone have any input on this method of repair? Is there anothe method that would be better? 

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I also have one spot where I could not get the glass all lined up the same way as when I precut the piece. Should I add a piece of glass to fill the gap?

This photo is also at the link from the previous post where it can be viewed bigger. 

 

Thanks,

Rich

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   I'd say this is your call. There is certainly no harm in adding a bit of glass there and it could add a tiny bit of strength to your hull. (But I think you will have two layers of exterior glass in that area for strength and abrasion protection). The interior area will be covered by a thwart so it will be concealed from view no matter what you decide to do.

If it were my boat, I'd probably add a bit of glass since I'd be adding more coats of epoxy anyway.

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Injecting epoxy into bubbles or "bridges" works a treat. I colored the epoxy with some wood flour so I could tell how well I was doing. These voids don't effect strength but the unsupported glass will crush and may open the way to water intrusion.

RE: Seeking tips for Dory build

   Injecting epoxy into bubbles or "bridges" works a treat. I colored the epoxy with some wood flour so I could tell how well I was doing. These voids don't effect strength but the unsupported glass will crush and may open the way to water intrusion.

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