Whale Rider

This one is still in the works. I started it in 2019 but then got hit by a pallet of bricks falling off a crane. Otherwise known as Covid 19. I hope to row it Summer 2023. 18' foot 9" inch gunwale. 66" inch bottom. 8' foot beam. Lots of side flare without too much rocker. Moderate rocker in the middle. Sharp upward rocker at the ends. Will it row well?

Briggs Comparison

The Briggs (Grand Canyon Dory) is one the greatest boats. How many Grand Canyon trips has it made? How many smiles?

It's been a long time and it's time for an updated white water dory design. This boat is a bit shorter than the Briggs but is a lot wider. The Whale Rider has more side flare, a strong rocker profile and it carries its weight close to the center of the boat rather than spread out to the ends. This boat only carries four people: one rower and three passengers. To make a four passenger version would take a little seat remodeling, or to blow it up to a foot longer.

The Whale Rider is designed to be completely self-bailing with high-off-the-floo seat wells combined with 3" PVC drain piping. Will it work? This boat may or may not have multiple design problems. We will see. The proof is in the rowing, and it should be coming soon. Self-bailing too.