16′ San Juan Dory
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The layout drawn by Roberts seems about right for general use.
The rugged and able 16′ San Juan outboard-powered dory combines beauty with practicality—and it is easy to build. David Roberts designed the handsome hull and built it as the Nexus 16′ Dory. Now, for the first time, this highly regarded builder has been persuaded to offer the original plans for sale.
The high bow and deep sides of this dory will shed rough water and give you a feeling of confidence out of proportion to the hull’s length. Go birding in the sloughs, camping on the islands, or salmon fishing in the straits. This boat is up to the job.
Simple, traditional plywood construction
The straightforward, traditionally framed, sheet plywood construction is both educational and simple. And, unlike stitch-and-glue boats, this dory allows you a choice of glues, compounds, and fastenings. Epoxy is great goop, but not every builder can, or wants to, work with it.
You’ll make the dory’s sides from 6mm plywood and its bottom from 9mm or 10mm plywood. The solid timber for stem, frames, rails, etc., can be oak or mahogany or any acceptable local woods. All of the wood in this boat can be bent into place cold; no steaming or soaking is necessary.
If you wish, the San Juan Dory’s bulkheads can be eliminated, resulting in a clear, unobstructed interior. Simply make frames Number 2 through 8 according to the chine-gusset system shown for frame Number 3.
San Juan Dory profile.
Despite its great strength, this San Juan dory weighs only 300 lbs. Motors of 10 hp to 20 hp will move it along at speeds ranging from 12 knots to 18 knots. Although a 20-hp engine is most appropriate, you’ll find that a 15-hp engine will provide satisfactory performance; however, a motor of 10 hp will prove marginal at best. Because it is so easily driven, there’s no sense in hanging engines of more than 20 hp on this hull.
Styles come and go, but there’s always room along the waterfront for rugged, practical boats like this dory. This is a boat you’ll keep, not a boat that you’ll sell.
San Juan Dory design plans include: outboard profile, lines plan, offsets, construction and arrangement plans, and seven pages of specifications. WB Plan No. 123, $75.00.
Read our San Juan Dory profile for more on the history of this design.
This hull will plane easily with modest power
16′ San Juan Dory Design Details
DESCRIPTION
Hull type: Flat-bottomed
Construction: Plywood planking over sawn frames
PERFORMANCE
* Suitable for: Somewhat protected waters
* Intended capacity: 1-6
Trailerable: Yes
Propulsion: 15- to 20-hp outboard
Speed (knots): 12 to 18
BUILDING DATA
Skill needed: Basic to intermediate
Lofting required: Yes
* Alternative construction: None
PLANS DATA
No. of sheets: 3
Level of detail: Average
Cost per set: $75.00
WB Plan No. 123
* See page 96 for further information.
Particulars
LOA: 16′
Beam: 5′ 6″
Draft: 4″
Dry-hull weight: 450 lbs
Power: 10–25 hp
Estimated design speed: 12–18 knots
Completed San Juan Dory Images
Mark OuelletteAt speed, the San Juan Dory planes but does ride high in the bow. The weight of a passenger seated forward brings the bow down without noticeably affecting the speed.
Nick IvancovichAs designed, the San Juan Dory has fixed benches connected to a wide thwart near the stern. However, the layout can be adapted.
Can this be built in an 18′ model, and with higher sides? What would the width be if converted to 18′?
Thanks.