Hi, i have been offered a 17foot Dory its got a 40hp outboard. I was interested what other peoples views are on them im not sure if it is foam filled or how 2 tell the difference between one that is and is not, i would only want to go to poole patch at the furthest. Can anyone advise me of good and bad points and things i should look out for please? Also what they are like on the water if it gets a bit choppy?
The same guy has also got a Wilson Flyer Hull for sale which has no deck and the Transom needs to be replaced is it something to avoid? Is there anyone in the club that would be able to do the work needed or recommend someone that could help me out?
thanks for any comments
Save up and buy something a bit better.
Jim
Photo's would help.
Is the dory cathedral hulled, like I would expect the wilson flyer to be?
Is there a cabin, cuddy or spray dodger?
There are a number of people in the club who have experience of dory/wilson flyer/pilot/nab type boats. I had a Wilson Flyer 17 with a cabin and bridge screen + 60 hp. Great fun in light conditions. Very stable fishing platform for it's size.
As with all vessels they have their limitations as well as advantages and these little gems are no different.
A cathedral hull dory is very economical on the plane but can give a very 'lively' ride with even a modist sea running. This did not put me off, but you need to be very steady, confident and fit. As they ride every wave rather than cut through them, there is a great tendency to slam so anything that is not nailed down will become airbourne if you push too hard.
I had a great time in mine for many years and fished from Poole and Christchurch, ranging from North Head,The Needles and Southborne at the Xchurch end and Durlston Head to Southborne from Poole.
All boats have their querks and abilities so without having been onboard this one it is impossible to give a firm opinion, so take this as a generalisation and not a rubber stamp.
A bit more information would be helpful.
Good luck
I too learnt a lot in the years that I owned a Wilson Flyer
a very stable boat for its size at anchor.
Initially I had an old 45hp on mine and it was pants, it only planed at WOT. but I upgraded to a 60hp and it was a totally differant craft.
Later I took out the back off of the cabin and converted it into a cuddy and the weight reduction made performance even better.
Also the ability to tuck back into the cuddy improved the comfort.
Sure there are better boats if you have the budget, but a cheap flyer is also a very good fishing craft.
Charlie 
hi, Thanks for replies...
Both Boats are cathedral hull (bumpy ride?) The Dory has a steering console but no cuddy or anything similar, and built in storage at the front of boat.
The Wilson is literally just a bare hull with no deck and the Transom is knackered and needs to be replaced. At some point it has has a cabin which has been removed. At first i liked the idea of the wilson because i could get it rebuilt bit by bit and have it how i want it, would i be looking at big money to have the floor and transom fitted?
I worry about foam filled hull on a dory becoming waterlogged if there is any damage to the hull? (not sure if this dory is foam filled though, need to find out)
I took a couple of pics of both and i will try to add them in a min.
Cheers Jon
Jon,
It's starting to sound like a lot of work.
Homework needed. My yard has seen quite a few project boats come and go. Some mine - most not - thankfully. Let's see the pics!
Often a bargain can be an expensive bag of worms. Sometimes, a simple ready to go option will set a pleasant platform on which to build. I was lucky to buy a 'goodun' from a friend. Had that gone wrong I'd have probably given up.
T
Think i will give the Wilson a swerve! I am thinking about the dory though i will find the lead tomor and put the pics on.
Cheers Jon
If it is foam filled - ensure it is not waterlogged!
I have a new 40 on my 13ft dory and that flew - I woudl suggest 40 on a 17 to be well underpowered.
Rob
whats your budget jon, on the face of it this looks reasonable dependant on engine
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/PAA17966
hth
Not enough of a budget for a warrior... yet!
The Dory is also for sale without the engine. I have got a mate looking over it this weekend if he says its alright i think i might go for it without and try and find a 60hp 4stroke. Is there a way of finding out if its water logged without a weigh bridge!?
Balsa fill, used as part of the skin, mainly on sailing boats, can get waterlogged, but closed cell foam used to add buoyancy is (generally) impervious to water. As each bubble in the foam is seperate from it's neighbour (although joined), water in one bubble from mechanical damage does not travel to neighboring bubbles.
This is why Boston Whaler and Etap use it to fill between hull and liner. there is a video of half of a dauntless at speed, with the whole front of the boat sawn off. Looks daft.
John
Thanks for the help everyone. I am going to keep looking around as the dory no longer includes a 40 but now an old johnson 25 and is not for sale without it!!
Very Wise !
Jim
Thanks for the help everyone. I am going to keep looking around as the dory no longer includes a 40 but now an old johnson 25 and is not for sale without it!!
What sort of budget have you got?
You're not flogging Megabyte are you Brian ?