Paul Butler's Pacific Troller Dory

 Paul's Pacific Troller Dory (PTD) is one of my favorite designs for an Oar Cruiser. See Nov.13, 2016 and Apr. 2, 2017 for variations on the design. Following is my most recent version.

PTD as an Oar Cruiser

Duck's Eye View

Bird's Eye View

Modification to the Original Design to Create an Oar Cruiser:

• Lengthened the hull by 2' (610 mm). The hull is double-ended. So the plans only include half the boat. By extending the chine line by 1' (305 mm) from the center line of the plan, the boat will be 2' longer. 
• Reduced the size of the (two) stems to 3" (76 mm) and added 2" (51 mm) to the height of the sheer line midships. Drew a smooth curve through these 3 points, creating a reverse sheer as pictured below.
  
  

Profile of PTD Showing Reverse Sheer

• Added two full-sized bulkheads at the same location as in the plans, 3' 10" (1168 mm) from the stems. These bulkheads have large hatches to provide access to the two storage compartments. The resulting cockpit is 7' (2134 mm) long.
• Added decks (crowned 2" (51 mm)) fore and aft  and side decks 9" (229 mm) wide at midships resulting a cockpit opening of 5' (1524 mm) long and 1' 11" (584 mm) wide.
• Added a 3" (76 mm) coaming on all 4 sides of the cockpit.
• Even with the top of the side coamings, attached two 1" by 1" (25 mm) by 4' (1219 mm) oak ribs (one on the inboard side of the coaming and one on the outboard side) for holding the oar outriggers. 
• Each of the two oar outriggers are triangular in shape with a 'base' of 12" (305 mm) and a 'height' (base to oar lock) of 1' 8" (508 mm). This generates a span of 4' 10" (1473 mm) on PTD. Either 9' (2743 mm) or 10' (3048 mm) oars would be suitable for this span. 
• Attached to the full width of the bottom of the 'base' are two "L" shaped pieces (photo below) that enable the outrigger to slide fore and aft on the oak ribs on the coaming (a tight fit so they don't slide with pressure at the oar lock end of the outrigger) and yet stay horizontal and stay in their fore and aft position on the top of the coaming.
  
  

  

  Side View of One Outrigger        



• Added full-length cross-slatted floorboards to provide a dry sleeping platform as well as anchor points for the foot rest and rowing seat.

• On the foredeck is a 5" (127 mm) high splash guard for any water washing over the foredeck.

Splash Guard and Anchor Cleat

Specifications:

• Length: 17' 4" (5.3 m)
• Beam: 48" (1219 mm)
• Water Line Length: 14' 4" (4.37 m)
• Water Line Width: 33" (838 mm)
• WLL/WLW Ratio: 5.2:1
• Hull  Speed: 5.1 knots, 9.45 kph, 5.9 mph
  
  

Summary-Pros:

• Large enough to hold sufficient supplies and equipment for extended oar cruising.
• With the added midship's freeboard, reduced windage at the ends, large decks and a dory's deserved capability for handling rough water, she can handle any rough water you may encounter in most inland waters.
• The narrow bottom (20", 508 mm) and high WLL:WLW ratio (6.2:1) make this an Oar Cruiser that will get you to your next waypoint in good time.

 Summary-Cons:

• Heavy enough to be awkward to car-top.
• Initially tender, as are all narrow-bottom hulls.
• Protection from rain (and bugs) must be provided using one of the many 'shelter' techniques in this site. 

 Mid-fall Cruise in Barnegat Bay:

I could envision a mid-fall cruise down Barnegat Bay in this Oar Cruiser after most of the boats have gone to rest for the winter; anchoring off the many state/national parks and wildlife refuges south of Barnegat Inlet. Trailer parking and launch site at the east end of the Manahawkin Bridge would be good starting/end point. Weather would be cool, no bugs.  Thousands of migratory birds provide lots of companionship.