The Dory

Proa Dory Page

I'm designing an add-on to my Gloucester Light Dory this way I hope ot have a sail boat. I already have three small boats and I am running out of space, so building a sailboat seems out of the question. The proa design is supposed to be an efficient boat. I will have to add an outrigger, lee board, rudder, and sail. A UK company makes a similar commerical product - so I don't think I am entirely off the mark. The company is Ahoy-Boat Company They advertise "So you want a fast and exhilarating dinghy to sail but you don't want to make excessive use of your wet suit! You would like a boat that is stable enough to be safe for those dear to you to share your enjoyment of sailing and yet fast enough to be fun"

October 2002

Here are my plans for the Alma and the Sail

Based on this I've constructed a model pictured below.

November 2002

So far we have built the Alma and the Akas. Now we are trying to figure out the best way to connect everyting. I think we are going to use two bolt at each point where the Akas attach to the gunnels.

We are using 1/4" plywood with simple stitch and glue construction for the Alma. The Aka's show below are hollow and made of 4 1x2's laminated together with plywood sides. Very strong and light

We have built plywood braces on both side of the akas with a simple bolted metal bracket on each side.

Here is Nate attaching the dory to the alma. Now for the mast, sail and rudder. We have the leeboard already built.

On 11/28 we my Wife's cousin was visiting from Dallas so I talked them into testing the dory with the proa attached. Here are some photo's in Copan Lake. The boat is very stable and still moves quite well under paddle. I've got to improve the connection to from the Aka's to the Alma.