What ever happened to Dell Quay Dory

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ManicMoov

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Hi Everyone

Ever since I was young, I have always loved the look and practicality of Dell Quay Dories. Now my two young children are showing an interest in watercraft, I thought it would be a good time to treat myself to my first Dory.

My first stop was the internet. Ebay has a few search results, but I really wanted to do a bit of research first, and believe it or not, there is almost no information on the net relating to Dell Quay (just a few articles from America about Dell Quay stealing the designs of the Boston Whalers). So I searched the YBW site for Dell Quay, and it came up with one article about Fletcher boats closing down!

Did I miss something, did Fletcher own Dell Quay before going bust?
Should this deter me from buying a second hand Dory?
What Dory-style alternatives are there to Dell Quay?

Thanks for your advise.
 
Hi Dell quay where bought by RTK Marine in the mid 80s and then sold to Fletcher who at that time where owned by Hornby they in turn sold out to a investment co run by some jersey based man and about 5 years ago they went into administration the day before the london boat show. it was then bought off the receiver by a wolverhampton business man who couldn't make it work. Now SBS have the rights and tooling to manufacture some of the boats i am not sure if they are doing Dell quay or just concentrating on a few of the fletcher boats.

I would look around for a dell quay around chrischurch and the west country would be a good bet as they seem popular there. alternative is really a Boston Whaler more money but a much better boat.
 
I believe Wills Marine in Kingsbridge had one for sale recently. It may have been sold by now but may be worth a search on their website. Don't know their address but you can always google for it.
I think Orkney used to make a small dory as well, so perhaps you should also keep a look out for those.
 
The founder of Dell Quay Dories was a chap called Phillips. (Don't know his first name). After the sale (or demise) of the company he left Chichester and moved to Green Turtle Cay, Abaco in The Bahamas with his family. There, they bought a hotel and marina in White Sound (quite up market!) and it is run and managed today by his son, David Phillips and his wife.
 
My understanding was they had a few hi profile problems after water filled the double skin and boat became unstable. The jeanneau polypropelene boats came on the scene and superseeded them. Cheaper and more robust and dorys just could not compete.
 
The decline of Dell Quay was probably more a combination of winding up in Fletcher ownership at a bad time, together with the rise and rise of the RIB through the 1990s. Once the vee hull format could be offered in a more seaworthy form the cathedral hulls had more or less had their day for anything other than very specialist (or very cheap) applications.
 
I have a Dell Quay Dory 13 for sale. It's not been in the water for many years. It's got stainless steel bow and side rails. No engine. On a trailer - new wheels and tyres - but needs some attention. Located near Weir Wood Reservoir, border of East and West Sussex (near East Grinstead).
 
I have finished rebuilting a Dell Quay Dory 17, made in 1968. I would like to find 2 stern decals that are an British Union Jack flag with 17 on a blue background. If anyone has a picture of one on their boat, please email it to me for a pattern size and I wil have 2 made. Thanks for the help.
 
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