17' Dion Swampscott Sailing Dory (1990) - NAIMA

As with all boats, it starts with a plan. This type of dory developed in the early 1900’s and was used by hundreds of fishermen who rowed or sailed them off the north shore of Massachusetts to their traps and nets. This design is based on a refinement of these working “Swampscott” dories which was built by Fred Dion around 1910 for he and his family for pleasure sailing. He reduced the beam with an eye to improving performance under sail and oars which apparently turned out well as many other builders adopted his idea.

I discovered the plans in John Gardner’s ‘The Dory Book’, in which it is aptly named “Fred Dion’s Swampscott Dory” and thought this would make a good first build. I too made some changes to the design, largely based on Captain Pete Culler’s interpretation of the type for pleasure sailing. I built the boat out in my back yard over the course of two summers and launched her in 1990. As luck would have it, I was able to get a spot in John Gardner’s amateur boat building class at Mystic Seaport Museum the winter of 1989. This was an incredible opportunity to learn from a man so immersed in the world of traditional small craft both intellectually and physically. As I had hoped, the experience was invaluable as I embarked on my first boat building adventure.

Most notable changes…
The centerboard trunk was reduced in height, made longer, and moved further aft than in the “workboat” layout to reduce weather helm. Enlarged the forward thwart/mast partners, added side benches from the midship thwart aft to the stern bench. Changed the sail rig to a sprit rig (never did get around to adding that jib). Added a rudder which slides up and down on a stainless-steel rod mounted on the transom allowing the rudder to be hauled up from inside the boat when landing on a beach.
When all was said and done launch day arrived, no leaks were found, and she is indeed a wonderful boat to sail!
Construction details…
Bottom: Eastern white pine with white oak false bottom
Frames: White oak
Transom: Honduran mahogany
Stem & transom knee: White oak
Planking: Lapstrake Atlantic white cedar with cherry sheer strakes
fastened with copper rivets and bronze screws.
Removable floorboards: White Cedar
Mast and sprit: Eastern spruce (solid) with oil finish.
Sail: Tanbark Dacron by E.W. Smith Co. of Fairhaven Mass.
Oars: Eastern spruce varnished
Rudder & tiller: Cherry.
All fastenings: Copper or bronze