PTD as an Oar Cruiser

In a post on November 13, 2016, we reviewed the Pacific Troller Dory (PTD) by Butler Projects . I received a set of plans for Christmas and built a concept model to implement ideas for making the PTD into an oar cruiser as defined in this blog (see “About this Blog” in the column on the right).

The hull of the original design consists of the bottom, two garboard planks and two side planks… she is double-ended  and identical at both ends. The concept model’s bottom and garboard planks are identical to the original.

Below are photos and descriptions of what changes could be made to the PTD to make one version of an ‘oar cruiser’.

Overview of the Pacific Troller Dory as an Oar Cruiser

Concept Model of PTD

The two photos above show the fore and aft decks. Each deck encloses a watertight compartment with access through a hatch in the bulkhead. These bulkheads are in the same location as in the plans; 3’ 10“ (1168mm) from each stem, with tops crowned 2” (51mm). Since the center thwart has been eliminated, the side planks are reinforced by an inwale fitted with spacer blocks. The cockpit interior is approximately 7’ (2134mm) long and the cockpit opening (at the deck level) is approximately 4’ 6” (1272mm) long.

Comparison of the PTD as an Oar Cruiser and as Designed

The top edge of the side planks were reshaped so that the top of the stem was lowered by 6” (152mm) and the center (midships) was raised 2” (51mm). The side by side comparison of the ‘as-planned’ hull on the right and revised hull on the left shows these changes, resulting in a reverse sheer with less windage at the ends and slightly more freeboard in the cockpit area… admittedly not as pretty as the original.

Interior, Looking Aft

This interior photo, looking aft, shows how a reverse reading compass could be mounted, floor boards for a dry sleeping platform and anchor for the movable foot rest (which also acts as a back rest when sitting on a cushion at anchor) and a way to store a Danforth anchor.

'Sanitation' Bucket Stored Under the Seat

Forward End of the Cockpit

These two photos show the forward spray shield, the movable seat (slotted into the floorboards) and how a 3 gallon bucket with Gamma Lid 11” (279mm) high can be stored under the seat.

Hoops to Support Tent Shelter

In order to provide weather protection while anchored, one option would be to use hoops (like a Conestoga Wagon) anchored in the inwales. Each end of the ‘tent’ would consist of two upside down triangles with the base of the triangle attached to the end hoop and each ‘peak’ would be hooked over a deck cleat. A full-length zipper running from the cleat up to the top of the hoop would enable the ends to be closed off or opened for access to the anchor line, etc.

Anchor Line Arrangement

Because the hull is narrow at both ends, access to the anchor line needs to be done from the cockpit. Fairleads could be bolted to each end of the deck, enabling anchoring from either end of this double ender. The anchor line would run from the cleat to the fairlead and back to the cockpit area for storage. When ready to anchor, a 12’ (3.5m) very light line with snap hook (carabiner) would be hooked onto the anchor line and tied off at the cockpit. Pulling on the light line would bring the anchor line back to the cockpit where the anchor could then be recovered without going onto the deck.