Oughtred's Stickleback/Amberjack Dory

[Otto49]

Hopefully, after a 14 year wait, I shall build my first wood boat.

I purchased a set of plans in 1990 for Ian Oughtred’s Stickleback (Amberjack) Dory and hope to start construction soon. Does anybody have experience building this particular boat and do you have any tips/pictures/ect. to offer?

I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida and hope to sail in protected waters and along the beach and salt-water marshes. Does this seem like a good choice of boat for a first time builder and somebody who wants to learn to sail?

Thanks,
Barry

[Venchka]

Yes, indeed! However, Iain has added several boats in the same general size/shape as the Amberjack. You might write to Iain and get his thoughts on the right boat for you. Perhaps one of the newer designs is better.

Amberjack doesn't have a lot of room for people and gear. How many folks will be sailing in the boat?

http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/designers/oughtred/amberjack1.jpg

http://www.alongshore.com/boatshop/construction/stickleback.jpg

A study of one of his new boats...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p131c36a28f88b8a6bc940d29af1de9ed/fac6c96c.jpg

Iain's current mailing address:

IAIN OUGHTRED
Struan Cottage
Bearnisdale
Isle of Skye
Scotland IV51 9NS

Cheers!

Wayne in the Swamp. :D

[Otto49]

Actually, there are five of us now including the wife and three kids (12,9,4).

I am hoping to build a larger boat later on that could carry the five of us, but was hoping to build this smaller one as a start, to gain experiance.

[Dennis Marshall]

Otto, I see that you are writing from Florida. This is sharpie country, no? Have you considered such a design. My understanding is that they are much better sailers than dories. That might be considered a heresy by some, so I'll duck now anticipating the incoming! smile.gif

Dennis

[Venchka]

Well, it depends, don't you know. Build the right boat first. You may never ever get a chance to build the larger boat.

For a family of 5...

B & B Yachts Core Sound 17 or maybe the Bay River Skiff 17.

John Welsford Pathfinder or Whaler.

Chesapeake Marine Design-several boats in the 16'-18' foot range. Take your pick.

Iain Oughtred Fulmar, Caledonia yawl, maybe John Dory but it won't be the sailor that Fulmar and the Caledonia yawl are.

Don Kurylko ALASKA or MYST (maybe-they are narrow)

Lots of others, the boats above popped in my brain without a lot of looking around.

Or, build the wee dory so you can slip away alone. There's much to be said for that.

Wayne
In the Swamp. :D

[Dave Williams]

Otto,

Yes I built one some years back and camp cruised her around in the San Juans and B.C. coast. Sails fairly well. Rows very well but pounds a bit in a short head sea chop. Very seaworthy.

Construction was pretty straight forward.

In my opinion definately to small for five. She is comfortable for me and the dog or maybe one other for a short trip. You need something bigger for that crowd.

Be glad to help if I can.

Good luck.

Dave

[Pateplumaboat]

Pictures of my Stickleback/Amberjack Dory construction can be seen under http://picasaweb.google.at/Pateplumaboat/BuildingPateplumaAmberjackSticklebackSwampscottDor yDesignIainOughtred?feat=directlink#

[kenjamin]

Barry,

Good to hear you're pulling the trigger on building a boat. With the ages of your kids, I'd tend to agree on a larger boat for your family. Part of this, truthfully, is because I want you to build a Caledonia Yawl so we could race as I know you're close by and probably would want to put in at the St. Marks Lighthouse. A Caledonia Yawl (CY) could easily take the whole family and a friend or two. A lot depends on the budget as a larger boat will take more money to build. I wouldn't worry too much about the complexity of the CY build as there are good books on that type of construction (glued lap) and a three part construction series in WoodenBoat magazine that I could let you borrow for a while. And if you get to a place where you don't know how to proceed next, I could give you a hand since I'm right here in Tallahassee. As Wayne said, you may not get another shot at this boat building thing. On the other hand, if the budget is tight, it might make sense to build the smaller boat so you and a buddy can learn how to sail in it before taking on the task of sailing around with the entire family, but for that you will need a bigger boat. Three things about the CY, it is a very safe, efficient and comfortable sailboat. Call me at FSU Physics if you want to talk it over. Ken Ford (aka kenjamin)

http://ford.physics.fsu.edu/Xena2722sm.jpg

[breaker]

I just finished enjoying your photos. You did a wonderful job and I'll be refering to them as I build my boat,also a "Stickleback" design.

[Pateplumaboat]

We are in wintertime here in Austria and Patepluma (Amberjack Dory) is sitting in the garage waiting for spring. I will change rudder and I am in the progress to transform existing rudder into a kickup-rudder. I would recommend for new builders to build kick-up rudder as designed by Iain Oughtred already in the first place.
Pictures of progress can be seen on http://picasaweb.google.com/Pateplumaboat/BuildingPateplumaAmberjackSticklebackSwampscottDor yDesignIainOughtred?feat=directlink#55484064761329 02658
Regards from Austria,
Christian

[Pateplumaboat]

The new kick-up rudder for Patepluma (Stickleback/Amberjack Dory) got almost completed. Just some cleats missing for up- and downhaul on tiller.
Will see how this works in water, but will have to wait for warmer season to come.

Happy New Year!

Christian


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_yaEpx5u2uyA/TRYlbOFg7wI/AAAAAAAACrw/lAw1I83O2As/s640/DSC02771.JPG



http://lh4.ggpht.com/_yaEpx5u2uyA/TSd_sqjGK6I/AAAAAAAAC3M/_y04iW3JeCs/s640/DSC03573.JPG


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_yaEpx5u2uyA/TShHbExdE5I/AAAAAAAAC58/dYSGShedWQY/s640/DSC03610.JPG

Captain Moises downhauling finished kickup-rudder on Patepluma. Cleats to fix yellow and blue line still to be installed on side of tiller

[Pateplumaboat]

Sailing Patepluma:

http://youtu.be/ICMkPkqD6ZU

http://picasaweb.google.com/115911222022005763297/BuildingGuacamayaSpikePikeSkiffDesignIainOughtred# 5641133094175511442


Patepluma with electric outboard Torqeedo 1003:


http://youtu.be/mzL75wUjwHA


Regards from Austria,
Christian

[Pateplumaboat]

Patepluma on the River Inn with my brother and my son:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jVlVY-geaAI/TkhEflib1BI/AAAAAAAAFJo/Iinpp4mQAFE/s640/DSC08214.JPG

[second boat]

I am planning to build the Amberjack Dory, and I wanted to thank Christian for his many carefully taken photos and the commentary that illustrate the construction of his Patepluma. I've enjoyed studying them, and I'm sure they will prove very useful when I stop dreaming and start building. I hope my project is as successfully carried out as Christian's.

I have built one other glued, lapstrake boat, Doug Hylan's peapod Beachpea. It's a great design, I enjoyed the building process, and I love to row the boat. I'm looking forward to my second boat, this dory.

Cheers,
Harvey Kail
Orono, Maine

[Pateplumaboat]

I am planning to build the Amberjack Dory, and I wanted to thank Christian for his many carefully taken photos and the commentary that illustrate the construction of his Patepluma. I've enjoyed studying them, and I'm sure they will prove very useful when I stop dreaming and start building. I hope my project is as successfully carried out as Christian's.

I have built one other glued, lapstrake boat, Doug Hylan's peapod Beachpea. It's a great design, I enjoyed the building process, and I love to row the boat. I'm looking forward to my second boat, this dory.

Cheers,
Harvey Kail
Orono, Maine

Thanks Harvey. Wish you all the best for your start of building Your Amberjack Dory. For any question do not hesitate to ask. Regards fom Austria.

Christian

[Mark Reuten]

Hi Otto,
I've built both the Amberjack and the larger John Dory. They are pretty much the same in terms of difficulty so the John Dory might be a better choice for holding your larger crew. Both my owners of these boats have had nothing but good things to say about the boats.
I would recommend you split the garboard plank into two planks. Iain accounts for this in his plans and it makes planking a little easier. The suggestions to look at Iains other larger designs are sound but remember that labour on a boat project grows exponentially. If this is your first build then the sharpie option might yield more boat with less effort and would work very well for your area.
I would suggest you look into boats that have proven popular at the Everglades Challenge. This link will take you to an interview with it's organizer. http://furledsails.com/article.php3?article=764
If you choose to build the Amberjack, I would be happy to offer advice and photos of my build.