Dell Quay Dory

[deko]

Hi everybody,
I have an offer to buy 1991. Dory 13 Eurosport. As I was looking for information about this boat I found a lot of people had issue with waterlogged foam, which brought me here. So, I am a bit confused. I got an impression that every Dory has gone trought same problem. One that I'm looking seems to be in good condition, but I will look it closely in a few days.
So, I wanted to ask is there any DQD owner that didn't have mentioned problem?
Should I expect problem to come after a few years, and is there a reason to be worried about? How much should dry Dory weight?

Thanks a lot!

 

[thejonesey]

Hi,
I would suggest you look up the Dell Quay Dory page on Facebook. Lots of helpful people there.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi
I’ve known a few of these boats over the years and all but one have suffered water between the hulls. If left too long it saturates the foam in there and can massively increase the weight of the boat. Many get round the issue by putting a bung or drain plug between the hulls and draining routinely. If your boat is kept ashore and in good condition, it should be ok.
I don’t suppose it’s the boats fault, more that most of these boats have been well used and suffered hard lives, perhaps as a testament to them, as work boats and club boats etc etc.
You’ll soon know if it’s full of water. It will perform terribly with what should be plenty of horse power to make it plane easily. You can often hear the water too if you lift one end up.
The one I know of currently that doesn’t have water in it lead a sheltered life and planes with a 9.9hp 2 stroke with one fair sized adult. Just a tiny bit off it with any more onboard. Flys with a 25 and will take a 40hp very soon.
Best of luck.

 

[deko]

Thanks!
This one was kept in the sea during the summer, and during the winter on the trailer. It was used for recreational fishing, and I'm planning to use it same way.
How long do you think is enough to get saturated?

 

[Motor_Sailor]

I'm sure the 17ft Rigid Raider (Mk 1) was a Dell Quay Dory.

These were issued to all the service sailing clubs in the 1970s and were stored all winter, stood against the wall on their transoms with the drain bungs from the inner chamber removed. They would dribble away for four or five months and then be light enough that they didn't immediately nose dive when put back into service the following spring.

 

[Blue Sunray]

I'm sure the 17ft Rigid Raider (Mk 1) was a Dell Quay Dory.

These were issued to all the service sailing clubs in the 1970s and were stored all winter, stood against the wall on their transoms with the drain bungs from the inner chamber removed. They would dribble away for four or five months and then be light enough that they didn't immediately nose dive when put back into service the following spring.

It was and I dimly recall similar tales from the primary users of them.

 

[Andy Cox]

From memory, the standard 13ft DQD didn't have a transom bung fitted as that would potentially compromise the water tightness.

But, as already said, over time water will find it way into the 'sealed' hull void. How long will vary according to factors like how many times has it been dragged onto a rocky beach, how many holes have been drilled in it to fit aftermarket goodies etc. etc.

Again, as said already, the answer is to fit a transom bung if it hasn't already been done and then every winter remove the engine and stand it on it's end and let the water drain out.

Having owned a couple of DQD's in the past, the other thing worth mentioning is just how horrible the ride is in almost anything but a flat calm sea, particularly if you're unfortunate enough to be sitting in the front of it. They slam like hell! On the other hand though, they make a remarkably stable platform for work or fishing etc.

I also once owned a MkII 6.5m rigid raider with a pair of Merc 150's on a transom bracket. Again, ok in calm conditions, but a pig in rough water. The answer was to keep the speed up over 30 knts and just stay on top of it all. If memory serves me right, she was good for 60 knts lightly loaded.

Andy