Talk me out of a Butler Pacific Troller Dory

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by sjptak, Mar 19, 2011.

  1. sjptak
    Joined: Mar 2011
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    sjptak Junior Member

    This thing seems to pretty much fit my needs/wants. I want to travel the Farmington River in CT. I thought about a drift boat but it would be very impractical for rowing on the Housatonic River, where I live. I could use this to go down the Farmington with a bit of camping gear and supplies. I can car top it. I can even flip it over at night for shelter. I can row it on other calm waters and maybe even take it out in some mild surf. I can power it with a trolling motor or some small gas engine.

    Has anyone here built one of these? Is it possible to set it up with a sail? This could be a real fun project and I could have a real ball out on the water.

    Stan
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2011
  2. messabout
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    messabout Senior Member

    Help me out a bit Stan. Describe the boat in more detail as it may not be well known to some of the forum members. (including me)
     
  3. Landlubber
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    Landlubber Senior Member

    ..if that boat suits you, it will certainly be easy to build and cheap too, not much credit in construction detail points though, but certainly practical....go for it
     
  4. sjptak
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    sjptak Junior Member

    http://www.butlerprojects.com/boats/pacific/index.htm

    It looks like a nice first time project for this newly retired guy. I think I could use this just about anywhere, including some mild whitewater. Row it or paddle it or even a small motor. If only I could rig it with a sail.....

    On edit, Sorry, I forgot to give the URL.
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2011
  5. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    I though he wanted to be talked out of it.
     
  6. messabout
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    messabout Senior Member

    OK the reference to the website provides some information. Not much but some. Pretty pictures of a decent little boat. It appears to be in the region of 48 inch beam. The website does not reveal any information of that sort. The boat will almost surely row nicely. The bottom layout tends to minimize wetted surface. It is going to be a bit tiddly but if you sit low enough in the boat it will probably ride out a pretty good blow. If you anticipate adding a sail it will need to be a pretty small one.
     
  7. Squidly-Diddly
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    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    sure, do the Norwegian Gunning Dory instead.

    Similar, but a little longer, much cooler and has two important capabilities the other one doesn't.

    1)possible single sliding seat rowing station(that will be the diff between a Schwin StingRay and a 10spd)

    2)dual fixed rowing stations(or one rowing station and one fixed passenger seat).

    Only prob might be fitting a motor case as the bulkhead comes much farther forward. Maybe just make the aft compartment the motor case.




    http://www.butlerprojects.com/boats/norwegiangunningdory/index.htm

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  8. Poida
    Joined: Apr 2006
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    Poida Senior Member

    Talk you out of it, I think you've talked me into it.

    Please excuse my simplistic outlook on all things complicated, but wouldn't it be easier to cut off the end of the boat and fit a transome than cut a hole in the bottom of it to fit a motor?

    You would probably have to operate the motor by cables to avoid sitting in the rear.
     
  9. cthippo
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    cthippo Senior Member

    Hmmm, me too. I want to build a dory for mom to row and this might be just about right. Price is nice too.
     
  10. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    That square box at the back ( what is it a fridge ) could be converted to a transom with a hole cut out of the bottom of the boat and then boxed in.

    You would still maintain the canoe stern for following waves when crossing the Atlantic for instance.

    If you took the engine out of the hole and replaced the lid with toilet sell well!!! all Kinds of uses come to mind.
     
  11. Squidly-Diddly
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    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    how about a removeable canoe stern w/flat transome?

    best of both worlds.

    I've seen those Nesting Tenders that clip together. Why not same idea with that pointy canoe stern?

    When you want to make it a motor boat just detach and clip on the motor to transom.

    When you want to paddle or row clip it on.
     
  12. sjptak
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    sjptak Junior Member

    A lot of good thoughts, and I really like the cool factor of the Norwegian Gunning Dory. It's a pretty one. I'll have to search it out for info. If I do a sail thing with it, the sail will be small, as using for sailing will be a minor issue. I'd be looking for a nice quiet afternoon ride and wouldn't be interested in speed. The motor doesn't necessarily have to go inside, and could be mounted on the side using a gunwale mount. This style boat is looking better and better for what I want it to be capable of.
     
  13. rasorinc
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    rasorinc Senior Member

  14. cthippo
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    cthippo Senior Member

    The Whitehall is a nicer boat, but the cedar strip construction is going to take a lot longer than the S&G on the Butler.
     

  15. sjptak
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    sjptak Junior Member

    I agree. The Whitehall is an absolutely gorgeous boat. That is one of the reasons why I'm going with an S&G boat. I want to run this multipurpose boat down a couple of rivers. Whatever I do build will most likely take a beating and I'd hate to be the one to ruin a beauty like that. I will have to be able to cartop this boat by myself so it'll have to be light. 350 pounds rules it out right there. If I have fun doing this build it would be possible that I'd build the Whitehall and use it for sailing and rowing, but not with a motor or river running. I could see my wife and I going out on the lake for a leisurely row to a secluded picnic site where we could spend some private time away from phone calls and kids. But, that would be for another time. I do like that Whitehall.

    Stan
     
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