Daysailers

The West Coast KDI launched in 2012

Update May 2015: The latest KDI is being built on Bainbridge Island, WA by renowned author Lawrence Cheek (May, 2015) and the last launched was in NJ last year. I am hoping to develop a mkII version not that a handful have been built. Ideally, I can take some advance orders to fund the work.

New Jersey KDI launched in 2014

A second west coast KDI. This one is being built on Whitbey Island, WA.

CNC Plywood Kit w/ plans and manual $2,800

KDI Specifications

LOA 14'

LWL 13' 4"

Beam 5' 3"

Depth amidships 1' 7"

draft board up 5 1/4"

draft board down 36"

sail area 102 sq. ft. max

Hull weight ~175lbs

The KDI was originally designed by Bruce Elfstrom of Lyme, CT, a talented, amateur boat designer who has a penchant for Swedish and Norwegian styled boats. He wanted his popular KDI to be available as a kit so we set to work in 2011. The KDI kit pictured here, hull #3 built in WA, is a huge success. Others are being built in the US and they are available in Australia, France, and the UK. Currently, only kits are available. A plans package may be created in the future that does not require the kit. But I feel the kit is the best for new builders. Explore the links to learn more about the KDI!

West Coast KDI on display at Port Townshend's Wooden Boat Festival

Thanks to the East and West Coast "Stevens"

Thanks to Steven Borgstrom and the Bauer's, Celie and her dad Steven, this kit really got going. Every kit needs prototyping before wide release. This process reveals major and minor issues that need fixing and helps clarify the plans details. The sea trials of the west coast KDI have gone well and we are excited to have a final KDI kit ready to go. At some point in the future, I will get to drawing some plans that don't require the kit. For now, the boat requires the kit to be built. Enjoy this video of the KDI sailing on Puget Sound.

Watercraft (UK) article download

KDI Links

WoodenBoat Forum on East Coast KDI kit build

WoodenBoat Forum on West Coast KDI kit build

Jewell: trailerable cabin classic yawl

Update May 2015: I was involved in the design of this wonderful boat and will continue to offer kits for it even though the other Vivier kits are no longer sold through me.

Study Plans for Jewell $10

Jewell CNC Plywood Kit $6,681.00

Jewell Specs

LOA 19' 8"

LWL 17' 9"

Beam 7' 3"

Draft 1' 3" board up/4' board down

Weight 1367 lbs

Ballast 265 lbs in keel/66 lbs in c.b.

Sail Area 237 sq. ft

Jewell is the result of a cross-Atlantic collaboration between Clint Chase Boatbuilder and Francois Vivier Naval Architecte. I desired for years a daysailor like Jewell and it was not until I began working with Mr. Vivier as his US kit agent that a conversation started around a boat for the North American market. Two years int he making, Jewell is everything I want in a sailboat. The following is excerpted from the 2011 Professional Boatbuilder design contest in which Jewell received an honorable mention.

"In January 2010, I got in touch with Clint Chase, a young boat-builder in the state of Maine, USA. I was looking for somebody able to market boat kits in North America and Clint was looking for designers to develop his boatbuilding and kit business. We had a very fruitful discussion by e-mail and phone and he expressed the need for a new day boat for his family. Jewell was born. A first draft project was drawn in 2010 and the final project was designed in April 2011. As a family friendly day boat, Jewell has to meet the following main requirements:To be trailerable by an ordinary car, and therefore light, and be able to beach temporarily for loading/unloading.  To have a large, wide and deep cockpit, comfortable, allowing for fishing and a place where children could be safe.To have a stable hull for family sailing but give excellent performance for raids and weekend sails “with the guys”.To have a cuddy cabin, with a toilet for women and children, a small galley to heat some meals and two berths to spend a night or two on board, or for napping.We also made the choice of a yawl rig, firstly because it is beautiful, and also because Americans are fond of yawls. I was happy to make something different than the gaff sloop I generally prefer on such a day-boat (Stir-Ven, Beniguet, Lilou...). The yawl rig is very versatile, allowing one to sail under main only, or under mizzen and jib. The mizzen also allows the boat to safely point into the wind, tending itself while the skipper starts the motor, puts in a reef, or entertains the kids. In Jewell, the main mast is shorter and lighter, so easier to step. The jib has overlap in order to improve pointing ability. The luff is short in order to have it well tight. It is always a mania for me to design fast boats, especially to windward, as it is also the best for safety. The jib is small and fitted with a roller furling system to avoid the need to come on the fore deck at sea. The mizzen is a leg-of-mutton sprit sail which stow simply rolled around the mast. On a trailerable boat, the centerboard case is generally cumbersome, either in the cockpit and/or in the cabin. On Jewell, the case is almost invisible. The centerboard rotates under the cockpit allowing the skipper or crew (even a 6’6” person) to sleep athwartship on the cockpit floorboard! I usually give to my designs name of rivers (Aber, Elorn, Laita, Aulne...), islands (Ilur, Ebihen, Béniguet, Méaban...) or capes (Pen-Hir, Toulinguet, Beg-Meil...) in Brittany. This time, Jewell is an island, but in the state of Maine, where Clint use to sail, on the other side of the pond!"

The CNC cut building jig for Jewell

Jewell modeled in 3D CAD

Trailer is easy with Jewell's hull shape and a customized trailer

The first kit cut was in France for a German client. The first boat built was actually in Maine. I cut the kit for a commissioned boat built by French and Webb in Belfast Maine. As of this writing the boat is receiving final coats of paint. Here is a building sequence.

Chris cleaning up epoxy squeeze out along the garboard/bottom seam

After turnover, the first task is removing bulkhead supports

Boatbuilder Peter Webb and Chris Gardei with owner working out the interior construction

Stainless steel rudder-tiller housing.

NACA shaped rudder and Torqueedo

Reefing comb glued to boom

Setting up mast on tabernacle

Getting close

Watercraft UK article by F. Viver and C. Chase download

Jewell Links

Jewell on VivierBoats.com

Photo Album of First Jewell built by French & Webb

Other Vivier Boats though CCBB

I can sell a number of F. Vivier's boats as plans and kits as his US & Canada agent. See the Vivierboats.com website and look for the models with my logo. Prices are roughly as follows and may change:
MORBIC $2,855
ILUR $3,555
BEG-MEIL $3,560
EBIHEN 16 $5,050

Updates and Launches

I'm slowly updating the webpages on the blog. In the meantime, three Deblois Street Dories are slated to launch in the next several weeks, including two in Maine and one by a woman who teaches college Geology in Indiana. The first Drake19 rowboat will launch midsummer. I will do sea trials with Walter Baron, the builder. An Echo Bay or two should launch. And a Caravelle sailing skiff will also launch this season. Lots of activity!

Deblois St. Dory

A Swampscott Dory, the Ultimate Sail & Oar Boat

The DSD on the Maine Island Trail.

Update May 2015: Three DSD's are being launched this season! One recently sold to a guy in UP Michigan, a balance lug-yawl version with centerboard.

Plans package price (need to build from scratch)

$175 includes Full Size Patterns that you can have printed

(all delivered by PDF downlaod)

CNC Plywood Kit includes all plywood CNC cut and plans package

$2,635
freight add'l, email or call to order

Specifications

LOA 18'8"
Bottom length 13'6"

Beam 4'10"

Depth Amidships 18 3/8"

Hull weight 180-225 lbs (can be built ply or solid)

"Every time that I launch my Deblois St Dory at least one person at the boat ramp comes up to admire and inquire about the boat. While others at the dock are shuttling back and forth in their dinghies or stressfully launching mammoth fiberglass powerboats I can untie, launch, load the dory and be underway in five or ten minutes.  This ease of launch makes the boat very accessible for the times when I just want to go out for a short row after work or for a relaxing sail to watch the sunset."  ~Shane Hall, boatbuilder and owner of hull #1, Portland, Maine

Background

I was compelled to draw the Deblois Street Dory because of a fascination with the dory, its history, and its beautiful lines. Certainly, there were plenty of dories available, one at Mystic I was granted permission to document, but with inspiration from Sam Manning's penned drawings and Gardner's encouraging written words from the Dory Book, I had to draw my own dory.

The DSD hand drawn on paper and in the computer.

I started by drawing a hull shape with the Dion Dory in mind and with Gardner's approach on his dory drawings in mind: to have a shape that was a little more aligned with sailing since this was something people mostly seemed to want. Really what resulted is what a dory truly is, a 50/50 sail and oar boat. The boat was drawn at 1/8th scale, 1/4 scale and modeled in the computer. Two quarter-scale models were built to prove out the lines and proportions.

Quarter scale model of the Deblois Street Dory

Hull #1 was launched in 2010 and is used extensively along the Maine Coast in exactly the sail-and-oar fashion I had in mind. Rowing single or tandem along the Maine Island Trail and beaching at interesting places. Sailing when the wind blows, rowing when it fades. Loaded with kids and gear. Or used for a quick splash after work and before sunset.

First opportunity in early 2011 to try Hull #1!

The DSD is a real Dory

A dory is defined by its construction style as much or more than how it looks. Dory construction is straightforward: cut out a bottom shape, erect 4 or 5 frames, attach stem & transom, and brace this set up upside down over a strongback to establish the rocker. Plank with 4 to 5 strakes, flip, put on gunwales and install seats. And that's really it. My kit goes together just like this: it is a real dory! The kit of course is composed of all the precut plywood needed to build the boat. The frames are precut ply, as well as all planking, and includes patterns for making things like seats. The DSD can be built traditionally as well, pine or cedar planks over oak frames, sawn or laminated.

Hull #1 being planked in Portland, Maine winter 2010.

My dory is updated for recreational use. Flotation is designed into the ends of the boat, the shape lends itself more to initial stability and sailing performance without sacrificing rowing ability, and it is lighter weight. The flotation is essential for safety and self-rescue. I had my kids in mind in wanting a dory that was a little less "tippy" initially. And the light weight makes her much easier to manage on the beach and trailer. In use solo-sailing, the boat benefits from some water ballast under the middle seat.

The mkII version being built in Bar Harbor, Me by a doctor (Spring 2015)

Rowing is a breeze single, double or triple!

One great thing about the DSD is its versatility. This dory rows very easily single with 9' oars, spoons or flat blade. Even in a breeze she tracks well and feels light. Two-up, the boat really shines. With the power of two rowers, speeds of 4kts plus are comfortable. To trim this or any dory, the heavier rower should sit aft. The reason is that in a dory, the lower portion of the "tombstone" transom functionally acts as the skeg, and skegs provide directional stability for a boat.

Believe it or not, the builder/owner of hull #1 often has a third person row. He says the boat absolutely loves it and really flies. He also brings out kids and other adults for a ride. Pack 'em in there, a dory can take a load. From Shane,

"Primarily I use the boat with at least one other person, with two of us rowing we can make great headway straight through a strong wind if we are in a hurry to get to a destination.  In calm conditions the boat is a pleasure to row tandem or with three of us rowing.  The boat is easily manageable solo but flies through the water with multiple rowers."  ~ Shane Hall, hull #1

The Deblois Street Dory loaded up with plenty of freeboard to spare.

Sailing is safe and exciting

If you want to have fun on the water, sail a dory. Dories are not known for superb sailing ability, but by increasing initial stability and moving aft the distribution of volume in the hull, I made this dory fast.

One owner of a traditionally planked, Dion Dory finally approached me at the end of the small boat messabout I host here in Portland. He simply said, "wow, why is your dory so much faster than mine?". I did not tell him that the full sail area wasn't up and the DSD had 2 more people aboard than he did.

Sailing the sprit rig. She is easy to sail when rigged properly and is fast for a dory. Another Dory sail nearby once exclaimed my way: "Why is your dory so much faster than mine!?"

Don't get me wrong, you will need to be on your toes sailing the DSD, especially if you opt for the larger sail area options. Take time to get to know the boat and hone your abilities, reef early, and use some water ballast aboard to help weight the boat down.

There are no fewer than 8 sail rig combinations you can choose from for the DSD: a fishermans sprit rig, spritsails of 76 and 88 sq. ft.; sprit sloop; two lug-yawl rigs, gunter and gunter-sloop. A foil-shaped daggerboard gives the boat good windward ability and is fun to build and easy to maintain.

Take her on the Maine Island Trail!

The DSD at twilight on a MIT trip.

I designed the DSD very much with trail cruising in mind. The Dory seemed the perfect platform for tripping with its versatility, capacity, and flat bottom for beaching.

"Mostly I use the boat for weekend camping trips, island hopping in the bay or cruising around the large lakes of western Maine. Perhaps my favorite characteristic of the boat is the ample room for stowing gear and the fact that the more food, water, books, and supplies that I load into the boat the more seaworthy she becomes.  I have enjoyed weekend trips in Muscongus Bay and Casco Bay exploring several MITA islands.  This versatile, seaworthy boat that can easily be beached and maneuvered through shallow waters. The DSD has opened up a whole new world of coastal inlets and islands to explore."  ~ Shane Hall, hull #1

Maine Island Trail Association has taken interest and the first of a series of newsletter articles has been published. Download it here.

Also click here to see a new story on MITA with the Deblois St Dory and Echo Bay Dory Skiff taking center stage.

Contact Info / FAQ

Contact Info

Clint Chase

92 Granite St #1

Biddeford, Maine 04005
boatkits@gmail.com

What is in a kit? How do they come?

• CNC Plywood Kits include all the precut plywood needed to build the boat, planking, structural parts, molds (if applicable) & deck. Patterns for solid wood parts may also be included as patterns.
• The plywood kit comes with a manual (25-50 pages of step-by-step instructions and photos) as well as a plans package specific to the kit (12 or more 11x17 PDF sheets showing the construction).
• Plywood kits come by freight on 4x8' pallets. The truck comes with a lift gate to lower the pallet just outside your garage.
• Resources: I am a professional boatbuilder, so I have resources in the form of spreadsheets, lists, and other information that I share with customers, if it is not already in the lists of hardware, supplies, lumber that comes with plans/manual.

What are FSPs?

• FSP stands for "full size pattern". Some of my boats can be built from full size printouts of all the parts included in the kit. This means you can cut all the parts by hand by laying paper patterns over the plywood and transferring the lines and curves to the wood using an awl or pattern-maker's wheel.

Where are the Vivier boats?

• Currently, I am only selling my own boat designs as plans and kits. Hewes & Co. is cutting Vivier boats nowadays.

Do you have plans for the kit boats?

• Some boats are available as plans only and some boats require the kit to build the boat. Under the description of each boat where it says "Status" I indicate whether the model is available as plans only.
• If it the model is available as "plans only" it means that you can buy the plans package and do not need a kit, lofting, or full size patterns to build.

How do I place an order?

• Email or call to confirm what you want included and your zip code so I can calculate freight cost.
• I send a PayPal invoice/Buy Now Button to your email that brings you to payment page. 
• Pay with your credit/debit card.
• OR Send a certified bank check (I can offer a 3% discount).
• OR Send a money order (Post Office is easy) (also a 3% discount).
• I will confirm receipt once I have payment.

How long does it take to get a kit?

• Turnaround times can be up to 8 weeks, so please plan ahead!

• Please be aware that I do teach full time and may not respond or deliver immediately. I go out of my way to be sure people can build my boats. Feel free to follow up by phone or email if you don't hear back in a couple days time.

Call me at 207.602.9587

During business hours I am in the shop all day, so leave a message and I will get back to you in late afternoon or weekend.

I enjoy talking with my builders. So, do not hesitate to call.

Email me at boatkits@gmail.com

Pricing & Links

Pricing

Prices are listed on each boat page in the blog with a buy now button for putting down a deposit. Most folks have questions, so do not hesitate to contact me.

My prices include all the plywood CNC precut as a kit and the plans package which includes the building manual. Plans are available for "scratch building" and include full size patterns. All plans are delivered by PDF.

Links

Linked In Profile

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/clint-chase/37/291/a79