As much as we like to think these little boats are original (and we do!) truth is, there is just not much that has not already been done in the arena of small boat design and building. After all boat building does go back a couple of years,,,,      that said let's have a look at what WE have been doing!!

The personal dory concept was created by David Bosworth and Travis Harrison as a means of gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to build our own drift boat without making large and or expensive full size mistakes! The stitch and glue seam method is fast and easy for the first time builder and a small craft such as one of the PD series is a great way to hone your boat building skills for a more substantial project!

Ratty and Mole were right!!

This building adventure started with several scale models built using 1/8" ply for hull panels, and stitched together with phone wire. This was allot of fun and very useful for getting a handle on the building process. This also gave us a chance to experiment with different hull shapes before committing to the full size boat!

From the warehouse of dreams.

We decided to build two boats using 4 x 8 x 1/4" plywood, they ended up about 7 1/2 feet in length. On the first one we decreased the angle on the transom and bow giving it a longer bottom, we also flattened out the rocker a bit, this gave the craft a bit higher payload (for big ole me) and a little better directional stability. This proved to be the faster of the two craft. PD02 on the other hand with it's increased rocker and steep angle of attack front and rear was the better of the two at holding it's position in the faster currents. The PD01 weighs in at about 36 lbs. a bit more than I had hoped and about 5lbs. more than boat #2, most of this difference is in the fixed seat and useless Melvin bar support running down the center of the floor. The fixed seat is an absolute must have in one of these type boats! it greatly adds to the overall control, stability, and comfort of the craft, did I mention comfort?! Travis opted to use a metal tube wrapped in foam for a back rest. This of course had it's advantages, one he did not have to build a seat before he could use the boat and two, less weight to portage!,, did I mention less weight to portage?.

Notice the pouch hanging from the knees, good place for a pack of smokes, a can or two of beer and a fly box,, what more does a guy need!!

PD01 sanded down and ready to paint.

  Travis gets some work done on the PDO2    he is fitting the external deck beams.

June was now slipping by us fast, a lot happens down here on the river in the summer months. We had hovers to fly, props to carve and of course being somewhat of a destination spot on the river we have lots of good friends that come by to distract us with things like fishin, campfires, pot luck barbecues and of course adult beverages on a hot summers day(and loving it!). So we decided to put off carving the oars for a little while. What we ended up doing was cutting the oarlocks out of an old rubber raft and using aluminum shaft raft oars. This worked fairly well and got us out on the water fast! but I have to admit it takes a lot away from the elegance of these little boats! I did end up carving a double oar but the boats lack enough directional stability to effectively use this type of set up,, it does make a nice wall hanger though!

"We have float!"

Dave armed with a plastic raft paddle in each hand takes her out in the cove for a test run and to determine placement for the fixed seat.