Update on the Deblois Street Dory

A couple months ago I was entering the final stages of modeling the Deblois St Dory. I am excited to report that the work is complete and a plans package, full size patterns, and CNC cut kits are now ready to deliver!

This boat has been designed unlike any traditional, Swampscott Dory I know of. It has been a few years of hand drawing -- before I entered the world of CAD -- then building a 1/4 scale model, drafting final plans, and the building of hull #1. Then some time passed, sea trials were completed, and my training in CAD went up a few levels! So, then the DSD started getting input into the computer. The latest version of the CAD system Rhino came out -- Rhino 5 -- and I was able to efficiently finish the DSD in this advanced piece of software:


One of the great advantages of modeling a boat to such an extent is the ability to work of how everything fits together. All parts of the hull are fit together in 3-D space then the model is taken apart piece by piece and made 2D. These 2D drawings become full size patterns and the kits that are available for my boats. Even for something simple like the tholepins, having them modeled helps see how the sizing of the gunwales and the installation of the tholepins will work out in advance.


I have modeled 8 different sail rigs for the DSD. All parts can be CNC cut or supplied as full size patterns with a package of plans that includes 13 sheets of drawings, a manual, hardware and lumber lists, and direct support from me build the boat. So far two DSD plans sets and patterns have been shipped off.

I love this boat. In an article in Maine Island Trail, I said 

"If I could only own one boat – and I hope that never happens -- I would choose a dory for its simplicity and purity of form and function. And when I am daysailing to MITA islands or cruising the trail, the last thing I want is to dread having to row when the wind dies. I want a boat that is as pleasurable to move by oars as it is by sail or motor. And I want it to be a beautiful boat that can be built by a total amateur and used to explore the coast of Maine."

If you want to be at the helm of your own Deblois Street Dory, please contact me. Visit my webpage to learn more and see pricing. Cheers! ---Clint






The Deer Isle Koster (KDI) is a 14' double-ender that we kitted and have available for sale. The KDI was originally designed by Bruce Elfstrom, a friend and fellow boat nerd who lives and does business in Lyme, CT. He runs a very cool company doing off-road vehicle training and teambuilding all over the world (www.overlandexperts.com). A couple years ago he approached about having his KDI kitted so it would be accessible to more people new to boatbuilding. He knew he had a winner of a design and we have proven that true. The first two built, hull #1 and 2, built for his daughters, live and sail in Maine. Hull #3 is being built by another Father/daughter team in Portland, Maine, Steven and Celie Bauer.
Portland, Maine team building hull #3!
You can read about their story on their WoodenBoat Forum thread.

Hull #5 was just launched off in Washington state outside Seattle. The boat turned out great and sea trials have gone well for her builder.

KDI in Washington state

The photo below shows one of the changes made to the interior. The main bulkhead under the foredeck is open so gear can be stowed or small children! As you can see there is space under the deck for things like anchor, pumps and other equipment, leaving the cockpit free of clutter. Being a double-ender, it is critical that the boat trims on the water line for best performance. This boat is rigged with a standing lug + jib. The other option is a balance lugsail without jib. The boat will sail quite well without a jib, perhaps with slightly less windward ability. However, the balance lug will be simpler and more efficient off the wind that the lug and jib option. This is because the single big sail will provide more power than the jib, because the jib will be blanketed when sailing downwind (plus the standing lug twists more when sheeted out and the balance lug boom stays more level when sheeted out). Therefore, you will sometimes you hear of the balance lug as a "self-vanging" rig.

KDI sailing with standing lug and jib rig.
See my ad in the Small Boats 2012 annual issue in the advertising section under 'plans and kits'. The KDI kit is available and ready to cut. I'd love to help you get into one of these great boats.



Making of the ultimate sail-and-oar boat: The Deblois Street Dory

For the past few years, I have been working on a dory design, the Deblois Street Dory. Hull #1 was built and launched in 2010. The builder/owner sails and rows often during the season in Casco Bay, Muscongus Bay, and Penobscot Bays on the Maine Coast. Here is one of my favorite shots:


The idea was to draw a dory that was somewhat updated in the style of todays recreational sail-and-oar boat. She has a little more stability initially than a typical Swampscott. She'll be solid or plywood planked, with flotation chambers under fore and aft (below sheer) decks, and will come in kit form or be built from scratch with a plans set. There will be half-a-dozen rig choices as well as a inboard engine well. The Maine Island Trail was a consideration in designing the boat: I wanted to be able to camp cruise the trail in a purpose built boat that rowed and sailed well. This first hull was the huge success I needed to be ready to put in the huge commitment necessary for the next phase: drawing the boat in CAD. I started with the hull and getting the lines just right. This takes awhile for me because I have a very clear vision of what I want and won't settle for anything less. 



I am now finishing the computer modeling phase of the interior and strongback. The original hand drawn plans were reproduced in a CAD program called Rhino. The boat hull, interior, hydrostatics, sail rigs, and strongback are all modeled in 3D. This will be used to make the layout drawings for the plans and the 2D CAD drawings needed to cut the parts on a CNC machine. Here is a screenshot of the interior model:




Deblois Street Dory

Now that Deer Isle Koster kits are shipping and and I have moved shop back to the home based-shop, I am enjoying some new found time to carry on with the newest, refined version of the Deblois Street Dory.

The changes are mainly in the lining off of the hull and the fact that the hull is now modeled in 3D CAD allowing for precut parts to be made and a lot of tweaking to get the lines "eye sweet".

The DSD was featured in the latest Maine Island Trail newsletter and there may be a follow up article this winter after I get started on this build.

I am very pleased with how she is coming out! What do you think?