steveJ ) writes:
Yes,I always wondered about this J. Benford dory design.
It has been said that a banks type dory is not good for sailing.
I wonder if that means that it is slow or that it isn't as fast
as a catamaran or..what?

from what I've read, because there is no beam aft and there is exaggerated
curvature in the sides, when the boat heels it rounds up and develops
terrific weather helm.


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William R Watt National Capital FreeNet Ottawa's free community network
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This makes sense and would account for Old Slocum's
LIBERDADE being very long and narrow compared to
a typical dory.
Both Benford and Slocum use(d) Junk rigs too which might have some
reason relating to the balance problem you mention. But I just noticed
that Slocums LIBERDADE had a cross section that is not at all like the
simple working dory, it being much narrower on the bottom and more
canoe like. I think Benford's has a wider bottom panel like a true
dory. No doubt the word "dory" describes a number of hull type
variations with the Lunenburg Nova Scotia type being what I would call
the standard working type dory and the Swampscott type having a narrower
bottom and multi chined (or straked) sides.

William R. Watt wrote:
steveJ ) writes:

Yes,I always wondered about this J. Benford dory design.
It has been said that a banks type dory is not good for sailing.
I wonder if that means that it is slow or that it isn't as fast
as a catamaran or..what?


from what I've read, because there is no beam aft and there is exaggerated
curvature in the sides, when the boat heels it rounds up and develops
terrific weather helm.


--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William R Watt National Capital FreeNet Ottawa's free community network
homepage: www.ncf.ca/~ag384/top.htm
warning: non-freenet email must have "notspam" in subject or it's returned

steveJ wrote:

Yes,I always wondered about this J. Benford dory design.
It has been said that a banks type dory is not good for sailing.
I wonder if that means that it is slow or that it isn't as fast
as a catamaran or..what?

They are tippy, is the main complaint AFAIK. Also they are not at all roomy for
their length & weight, and due to the high reserve bouyancy, they are very bouncy
and wet. Altogether not good characteristics for a cruising sailboat. However,
dories (sailing or otherwise) still have excellent load carrying capacity, good
reserve stability, and are very seaworthy (if properly built & ballasted).


The Benford design is advertised with a book about a couple who
built one and sailed to Antarctica. Annie Hill I think. Have not read this.
Joshua Slocum built and sailed LIBERDADE from S. America to the east
coast. The boat was modeled from his "recollections of Cape Ann Dories".
For simplicity of building, a dory seems a great advantage. Never sailed
one though.

The lack of initial stability makes them cranky and slow, but I'd believe they make
great voyaging boats for those not in a hurry.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

hi
if you realy like building and creating things go on, if not dont start,
youll never finish.
i build an plywood epoxy glued 35' sloop, it took me 5 years of free time
but it could be done it in one year full time.
the boat is now sailing for 20 years.
some tips:
get the most modern plans posible
use modern techniques and tools
use good materials

and even better and cheaper BUY AN USED BOAT

adi