text for shellback dinghy

The Shellback Dinghy tender is a Joel White design. The lofting was taken from his offsets, however once the hull was structured I went off in my own direction to beautify and specialize with attributes that add noticeable differences to increase the practicality of the tender with a touch of Bristol Fashion Craftsmanship.

The only thing required to complete this Dinghy is the sail, which still needs to be fabricated and rigged. It is a standing balanced lug sail and the two sprit spars have already been made and match the mast as shown.

Here is how the Dinghy is appointed.

multi-chined flat bottom
old growth Sitka Spruce spars and oars
West Systems epoxy used throughout
Pettit Polyurethane paint
ablative polymer antifouling bottom paint
Harken rigging hardware
bronze hardware; cleats, chocks, oarlocks, etc.
Honduras Mahogany seats, breast hook, and tiller
Gary Oak gunwales (with Mahogany spacers)
3 strand Marlow rope (anchor rode,running rigging)
removable floorboards
anchor (in it's custom mounted Mahogany support)
fitted for davit hanging
Dacron sails
balanced boom lugsail
Lloyds certified okume marine grade plywood; sides 3/8", bottom, dagger board, & rudder 1/2', transom,3/4"
continuous bumper rope along the gunnels, 2 inch double braided nylon

The anchor is stowed in a fitted yoke and two bungie straps hold it in place. In this shot you can also see that the bow dock line is secured on a line from the mast step to the inside of the bow eye. This keeps the line free from tangle and also free from touching and chafing on the inside of the gunnel or any other point where it might rub. This same line can be used for hanging the Dinghy by davits.

The aft dick line runs from a cleat on a mahogany plate bolted to the transom. This cleat can also be used to hang the Dinghy from davits. Under the back seat mounted on the foreward cross support is a Yew name plate still to be engraved. It will read "Shellback Dinghy, by PeterBuilt Wooden Boat Works 08/96 - 08/04

The skulling slot is covered in leather. The traveller line will have a small block connecting it to the mainsheet. Where the traveller line comes through the quarter knee there are large thick bronze washers that protect the finish from any wear caused by the block should it come to the end of the traveller line.

The tiller arm flips off and the rudder is removed by means of a brass rod connecting the upper and lower gudgeons.

The four skene chocks are each one piece carved out of Douglas Fir.

The floorboards are individual and sit on raised blocks on the bottom. On the bottom side of the floorboards are slots that match the raised blocks. This allows for each section to be removed sepia and without unfastening anything. Since the floorboards are raised from the bottom they keeps the sailor dry from any splash in the bottom of the boat as this dinghy is sailed by sitting on the floorboards as opposed to sitting on the seats.

Once the sail is fabricated and rigged, the price including delivery in the North West will be $20,000.00 Canadian and includes this Half-Hull Model of it. It will also include a fresh coat of anti fouling which is petty ACP ablative. One other inclusion will be a two piece sculling oar. It will disconnect similar to that odic a kayak paddle. This Dinghy sculls very nicely and when the sculling oar is broken down it will stow compactly. Where as if oars are on board they will interfere with shifting weight as tacks are changed. Especially in the case of the Shellback since it is sailed from the floorboards and not the seats.

For more information contact Peter Black at 250-642-1944

Last updated 11/24/2004.