Pacific Troller Dory
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Design by Paul Butler - Port Angeles, Washington - USA
www.butlerprojects.com/

The 16 foot Pacific Troller Dory is a lightweight version of our 19 foot Gun Dory. The large gun dory has been popular but it’s a big open water design and way too much boat for most people. The new boat has the same look in a smaller, easier to build lightweight hull that can be car-topped.

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This modified version of the traditional gunning dory is built in lightweight ply and epoxy in a simplified double chine hull form.

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This modified version of the traditional gunning dory is built in lightweight ply and epoxy in a simplified double chine hull form. Construction is a straightforward process of stitching five full-length plywood panels together with plastic ties, then sealing seams with glass tape. No building base is required and permanent bulkheads serve as forms to hold panels in alignment during assembly. The hull interior is clean and open with none of the ribs or frames of traditional construction and reinforcement is provided by the double chine shape of the hull, compartments, butt-blocks, seats and gunnel laminations.

Construction is a straightforward process of stitching five full-length plywood panels together with plastic ties...

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Compartments are easy to build using ply and epoxy and also provide seating, watertight dry stowage, and emergency flotation capability, and may be accessed by easily installed screw-outs or traditional hinged yacht hatches. To further streamline building, both ends of the gun dory are identical so the same plank pattern can be used 4 times. The entire hull exterior may be sheathed with glass cloth or glass tape can be laid over seams to save weight.

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... then sealing seams with glass tape. No building base is required and permanent bulkheads serve as forms to hold panels in alignment during assembly.

The gunning dory rows easily and properly equipped it makes a capable open water boat. The smallest of electric or gas motors will push the slippery double chine hull, and a motor can be installed with a clamp-on mount or in a custom built motor well located conveniently inside the boat. There is room for two rowing stations, or it makes a pleasing solo camp cruiser with room for piles of gear. A drop-in sliding seat rowing unit such as the Piantedosi can be installed and removed in seconds, and the boat is fast enough to make an enjoyable exercise rower which works well in waves that would disable a rowing shell. Build two of these and enjoy rowing or cruising together, or just drifting a quiet stream.

The smallest of electric or gas motors will push the slippery double chine hull.

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The detailed building plans include over 25 pages and are written for amateurs and first timers. Plans are expanded with many new options for materials, reinforcements and interior layout, and include sketches, photos, sources, step-by-step and discussion of many options to modify and customize the boat.

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Plans are expanded with many new options for materials, reinforcements and interior layout.

Plans will be available a few days after the boat publishes in the newest issue of Outdoor Life magazine, due on the newsstand around the end of May.

Paul Butler - paul@butlerprojects.com - ButlerProjects.com

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