Idea: To look at a number of similar boats and try to see what is the right thing to do, what is best etc, in order that my next boat be very good

Subjective opinions of the boats shown above

• Mark Wallace Blackfish Skiff: Has high freeboard, combined with a lot of sheer giving high windage, would probably need a to carry a lot of weight in order to lower the boat enough so that windage is reasonable
• Thames Skiff by Selway Fisher: Seems a nice enough design, very little sheer, perhaps optimised a little more for sheltered water than rougher water
• John Bell, Blackberry Dory: Seems quite good
• Bob Whittier, Row and Sail Dory: Very impressive, kinda looks just right
• Pygmy Boat, Wineglass Wherry: Very impressive, a little more sheer compared to the Bob Whittier boat
• Antonio Dias, Tommy Cod: Pretty good, freeboard seems a fraction low amidships with a high bow, may cause issues with the bow wanting to blow away in a strong wind?
• John Welsford, Joansa: Seems reasonable, very little sheer, but boat has a good reputation, is sheer less important nowadays?
• 12ft Rowboat, Francis S Kinney: Very high bow freeboard, perhaps this assists when being used as a towed tender for a larger boat, however when used as a conventional boat, the high bow may weathercock
• My Previous Rowboat: Seems to compare reasonably well, may benefit from a fraction more freeboard and a fraction more sheer
• CLC, Skerry: Seems to compare very well with others, some very nice lines

Based on all the above, would think the Bob Whittier boat, the Wineglass Wherry, and the Skerry all seem to look pretty good. Note that the transom angle on the wineglass wherry and Francis Kinney are the same 14inch rise for 16inch length. Dories have heavily sloped transoms but others do not, assume is all a trade-off, behaviour in a following sea versus increased windage, weight and size. Note that mid section bottom to gunnel height seems reasonably consistent, Joansa seems to come out at 42cm, same as the CLC Skerry. The Bob Whittier row and sail dory comes out at approximately 40cm.

For my next boat, thinking something with a finer stern, thus narrower transom, an extra 12inches of length of compensate for a finer stern and narrower transom. A fraction more freeboard, a cm or two amidships, perhaps 3cm extra at the ends. May or maynot have an additional chine. Was very happy with my previous boat, so changes perhaps should be modest

Based on the above designs, here is something that I have come up with. Profile view is copy of Bob Whittier Row and Sail Dory. Topview is a stretched and widened rowboat by Francis S Kinney. Key dimenions are 14'6" length by 4'0" beam. Sketch is a little rough as is first attempt

Key performance criteria are

• Very good rowing performance
• Good Seaworthiness
• Still cartoppable - I know this is possible as is a fraction larger than my earlier boat which I car-topped
• Ability to sail a little bit at times
• Ability to carry a passenger or two on rare occasion
• Easy to build