Traditional Dory - Wooden Row Boat

The dory is possibly the best loved of all traditional rowboats. 

Dories are a unique type of rowing boat originally built from wood without a keel and with the bottom planking running lengthwise.  Skiffs usually have the bottom planking running widthwise.  Dories have a narrow "tombstone" transom running all the way down to the bottom.

Dories were used as fishing boats lowered over the side of the fishing schooners when the reached the fishing grounds.  (See the story of Howard Blackburn on the Rowing Stories page).  Dories were very seaworthy and capable of carrying heavy loads, but were not very easy rowing boats.

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