Dellquay V Boston Whaler

[longjohnsilver]

Thinking of getting a small dory for messing about in. I had a Boston Whaler a few years back and it couldn't be faulted.

Now the question is if I go for a Dellquay will it seem disappointing after the BW? Has anybody tried both?

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[mjf]

I have had both and the BW is the sports car and the Dell the work horse.

The BW is more fun.

Michael

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[hlb]

Is this MF's new tender then?? Abou ten ft should be about right. No more than 5HP, dont want to damage MF's davits. I'll have a white one please.../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>Specializing in marine sanitation since 1997.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[lanason]

I didnt know they made one with diesels on sharts and a flybridge. You did say that that your next boat HAD to have that as a basic requirement. /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>Kelisha</A> Nothing is better than a Holiday

 

[whisper]

I'd have thought that if you are going to use it a lot and perhaps give it a bit of a hammering then pick the Whaler. If just general casual use, the DellQuay should be fine - and also considerably cheaper.

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[mjf]

No. In a previous life abroad I used to own various centre consol craft with outboards.

Someone asked advice - I gave it.

Current tender is however Avon rib lite with 5hp - excellent set up.

Michael

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[hlb]

Nah. Thats fer proper boat. Pub taxi is fine with outboard. Hope the BW is made from rubber, cant be marking MF.../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>Specializing in marine sanitation since 1997.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[duncan]

If you are looking at the 17ft range then I believe the Fletcher Malibu was better than either - hull was one of the best Fletcher produced acording to long time Fletcher agents.
The later Sortsman range were a bit too much 'boating for the masses - lots of cushions but lacked that go anywhere hull capability.
BWs are excellent as you know - some of the really old ones represent excellent value.

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[jfm]

I have had several in the 17-19 foot range

imho the BW and Dell quay are both pretty poor in the 17 foot range. Reason is the incredibly low free board. They are like tea trays.

I'm not companing about build kwality, BW's is legendary, all I'm saying is that in theis size range the BW was built for the US lake market and has ultra low freeboard, and the Dell quay too is a tray. The other BW models, esp the bigger Outrages, are much differenthull design and miles better with decent freeboard

In the 17foot range much better are the double skinned versions built on the Mariner 17 hull (cloned by many builders, many of which were bodgey, but a few decent bulders used true double skin construction with a full internal mould gunwhale to gunwhale). This hull is a good design and has a decent high freeboard so kids etc dont fall out and spray stays out.

Obviously if you're looking at newer stuff then the cap camarat etc Frecnh boats are excelelnt. And the fletcher malibu was excelletn as mentioned (though also lowish freeboard)

I have a double skinned mariner 17 job for sale, 4 years old with a 2 season old Merc 125hp, scarily fast, on 4 wheel galv rollercoaster trailer. dunno what it's worth. £7,500 mebbe? Can email pics if interested

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[AJW]

Could you expand on what type of messing about in you are planning? eg. In Harbour / Estuary - Out at sea in a chop etc. Not had an experience of BW but Dell quay dories and catherdral hulls are a literal pain in the arse in any kind of chop IMHO. V hard ride & tendancy to go through the waves too and as has been said not much freeboard. Course if you are just roaring around the anchorage not so much of an issue. If sea use is priority then Deep V is the key surely? Better get a RIB then!

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[duncan]

agree the generality but some hulls fitted to 'dories' handle a chop very well indeed. Freeboard too is not a big issue in a chop - bigger problem overall is the open nature of the craft. The water will come over the bow in normal use/tough conditions long before the side decks. However they do not 'feel safe' in the same way as craft with a low floor/high freeboard.

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[byron]

John, I have always had a Dory hanging about. They are incredibly useful and mega safe workboats. Don't worry about water ingress many are fitted with a fluffler vale, if not fit one they only cost a few coppers. If you just want a useful boat for general purpose work then a Dell Quay Dory cannot be faulted. I once carried 6 Firemen and their Pump to a sinking boat on the Thames. Best of all they can be bought second hand very cheaply.

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[longjohnsilver]

Messing about would mostly be in an estuary or at sea only when flat. Don't want to be out there slamming into every wave, no fun at all. IMHO dories are ideal flat water boats. Main idea is to transport people/diving gear to and from boat on mooring + mebbe some wakeboarding or waterskiing, or just nip up to local pub.

Prefer the idea of a dory as there is much more useable deck space for a given length.

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[AJW]

Ah, Dory would be fine then.

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