Dell Quay Dory

[seapiper]

Can anyone offer advice as to the suitability of an open Dory with outboard fpr the Solent area. as to minimum recommended length, size of engine etc
My thoughts are that wide boat like the Dory maybe most stable for choppy seas

 

[dur]

I think this is really a question for the mobo forum, even if Dorys are a bit of a classic now. FWIW the calculation for working out the average wave length in the Solent is W = L where W is the wave length and L is the length of your boat. I believe this applies for all boat under about 50 foot.
What this means in practice is that in something like a DQ Dory with 6" freeboard, the boat will be under water while you and the top of your outboard will, with a bit of luck, still be in fresh air most of the time. IMHO of course.

 

[jhr]

When I was a kid, I went out in the Solent in a Dory once - we were taking a photographer out to take some photos at Cowes Week. I think it was the 13ft model. It wasn't a particularly challenging day for the Solent but we all got soaking wet and didn't particularly enjoy ourselves, though the photographer got some nice pictures (quite stable at rest, as you say).

Difficult to say without knowing exactly what you're after but if it's something small, open, stable and quickish, for use in the Solent, then I reckon a RIB would be a better bet - you'll still get wet but you'll feel much safer. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Peterduck]

The problem with a beamy boat in a choppy shallow sea is that the boat tries to align itself with every little change in the surface of the sea. While it's not dangerous, it can be very uncomfortable, and quite exhausting as the crew try to stay upright. I'd recommend trying to rig a small steadying sail; perhaps a Mirror dinghy jib, to slow down the motion a bit.
Peter.

 

[oldfrank]

Dell Quay Dorys are great in flat water - and rubbish even in a small chop. Flat bow and the trihedral causes them to slam even on small waves. Best for speeding on the Broads! OF