I have always loved wooden boats of all kinds, but especially dories, for their elegant simplicity of design, the way they look upon the water, the way they handle in a heavy sea, and their rich and rugged history. I had known some in my youth on Cape Cod—tender, unadorned, straight-sided workboats with pine planks hammered together with clenched nails. They were appealing to me who, in a boyhood self-delusion of becoming a fisherman, saw a kind of beauty in old, scarred skiffs that was quite apart from gleaming hulls of thoroughbreds trimmed in teak and mahogany.I never became a fisherman, but a lifetime later I awakened the long-dormant dream of building a boat of my own. I enrolled in a Greg Rössel course at WoodenBoat School to begin acquiring the necessary skills. There I saw, in an open shed and resting quietly among other boats in various stages of construction, a dory of a different sort. Compared to the working dories I’d known, it had a more refined, even genteel, look, gracefully bellied, the flat bottom narrow and lanceolate. The strake laps were studded with neatly peened copper rivets. The gunwales, thwarts, and tombstone transom were mahogany, lustrous even though awaiting the glow of varnish. I was smitten.
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What a wonderfully inspiring story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Charles’ account of building his Swampscott dory. It turned out beautiful and is especially handsome under sail.Good going!!
Charles, this story should be a book. While reading I could only think of the parallels of your endeavor with the philosophy and practice of John Gardner. Congratulations on creating a truly beautiful boat.
Isn’t it amazing what beauty and practicality is a result of just showing up regularly. Calm seas, Charles.
I am one of John Gardner’s students. He would have been very pleased. A lovely story, well written.
Come visit us in Texas sometime.
Rick Pratt, Director
Farley Boat Works, Port Aransas Museum
Port Aransas, Texas
Beautiful boat. The people and places behind the parts and processes make it special. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you all for your nice comments. I’m touched by what you say, and grateful.