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Plans to build the 18' Carolinian Carolina Dory

Carolinian Carolina Dory

This is a classic Carolina style dory, in about the same size has have been used in the Carolinas for over 100 years by both commercial and sport fishermen. With a dory shape but a rockerless bottom, they really move out well with moderate power and handle the rough stuff with ease. You see several boats of this type out here in Southern California making the passage out to Santa Catalina Island, 26 miles across some fairly open sea. These are great, inexpensive projects to build and lots of fun to operate. It'll move out smartly with a 9.9 hp motor but really cooks with 30 hp, about all you want to put on a boat like this. It is detailed for both a transom mount and a well mounted outboard engine.


Free Study Plans and Bill of Materials for the Carolinian Carolina Dory

Our study plans are two of the actual construction drawings. They're not enough information for you to build the boat, but they do give you the overall boat size, shape and construction methods. This is a pdf file readable with the free Adobe Acrobat pdf file reader.

Download Free Study Plans for the Carolinian Carolina Dory Download Free Study Plans for the Metric Carolinian Carolina Dory

Free Construction Photo Essay for the Carolinian Carolina Dory

I also have put together this construction photo essay for the Carolinian Carolina Dory. Have a look at the pictures of one being built and you can gain a better understanding of how you can do it too. Just download the free pdf format e-book by clicking on the image below.

Purchase Construction Plans for the Carolinian Carolina Dory

The construction plans are available for instant download from the Internet in Adobe pdf format, or in paper form printed on 18" x 24" (457 mm x 610 mm) bond paper. To purchase, you will be taken to a site where you may use a credit card or debit card. It utilizes the latest security so rest assured, your card number cannot be stolen. Please see our privacy policy. California residents must pay 7.75% sales tax.

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Construction Plans for 18' Carolinian - English or Metric
Instantly Downloadable PDF Plans - US$ 59.99
Paper Plans Mailed to You - US$ 69.99 + Shipping

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Building a Wooden Boat

About Carolina Dories

The Carolina Dory is a specialized type of craft derived from the original Grand Banks styles after the advent of power. It was quickly learned that the built-in rocker on the bottoms of traditional dories was fine for the very limited speeds possible with oar or sail power, but only held the boats back once gasoline and diesel engines became available. As a result, builders straightened out the bottoms to allow the boat to plane, and the Carolina Dory was born. These sturdy craft were originally used as commercial fishing boats in the mid-Atlantic states, especially in the inland and nearshore waters around the Carolinas. Unlike modern power boats, Carolina Dories don't require lots of power to move along at quite a good clip. They're economical and exhibit their traditional dory heritage by performing quite well and safely in choppy conditions.