BEATRICE is a modified Saint-Pierre dory—a type once common on the waters of Canada’s Maritime Provinces. Born on the islands of Saint-Pierre et Miquelon off the coast of Newfoundland (French possessions to this day), the Saint-Pierre dory was a local response to a French government requirement for cheap, durable, and safe fishing craft for local fishermen.Taking the traditional rowing dories of the region as a starting point, the Saint-Pierre dory gained size and weight and evolved higher ends and greater freeboard. It also gained an engine—usually a single-cylinder “make-and-break” two-stroke coupled to an ingenious retractable propeller and shaft. The boats sometimes had forward cabins. BEATRICE is a further evolution of this concept, and was designed by David Roberts of Nexus Marine for construction in fiberglass-sheathed plywood. David Roberts of Nexus Marine (Everett, Washington) modified the traditional Saint-Pierre dory for recreational use; New Zealander Alan Litchfield built his boat, BEATRICE, to the design, with modifications to suit local conditions.
Photo by Karol Wilczynska
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Lovely boat. I have two, one 20′ and one 35′ 6″. Designed and build by Howard Pascoe of Whitianga, New Zealand. The first one KAIWAKA in 1956 and JOHN DORY in 1970.
A friend and I built this modified St. Pierre dory in ’75 and fished her commercially for 5 years. We male-molded it, solid fiberglass hull with glassed plywood topsides and a wash deck. 30-hp Isuzu diesel and steered with a rudder-to-wheel cable system. Could also be rigged for sailing. Thanks to John Gardner for the modified plans. Here she is taking a break at Santa Cruz island.
CAPE JACK was launched the Monday before Xmas ’22, after 16 years building. I am delighted with her. Just sorting ballast out and few other minor details and she will be ready to explore our gulf.