This 16’ Swampscott Dory is a truly rare find! It’s unique for sure, and we think somewhere out there is just the right person who’ll give it a great home. We can’t tell the exact year it was made, but based on the construction details we think it’s likely from the early-mid 1990s.
About our Swampscott Dory
The Swampscott Dory is a classic East Coast traditional workboat with a storied pedigree. Originally designed as a beach-launched fishing boat, it was meant to launch through surf, survive in rough conditions, and carry large quantities of fish and gear safely. What helped the dory succeed in this was a hull form that naturally shed waves, and got more stable the more heavily it was loaded.
For many years our Dory was the longest boat in our model line until we introduced our 17’ Jersey Skiff, which met many of the same needs, yet was more appropriately suited to today’s recreational boaters who don’t carry those heavy loads. As the Jersey Skiff became more popular, we discontinued the dory because pure recreational boaters who enjoy glassy-water rowing would usually prefer the Jersey Skiff or 16’Melonseed (or nowadays, our new 17′ Salish Voyager).
The Dory’s biggest strengths include easy handling in rough conditions, the ability to surf-launch, and a great capacity for gear. The soft-chined, flat-bottomed hull will sit flat on the beach and carry heavy loads easily, but as a result it requires a heavier load to sit well in the water. This boat is most comfortable with at least 100 lbs of water ballast in the boat — a pair of water jugs on either side of the centerboard does the trick.
That said, the workboat heritage of the Dory makes it a great option for those who will really put this boat through its paces – strong rowers going through surf, hauling fishing gear, etc. If that sounds like you and you are drawn to this boat’s classic, instantly recognizable lines, this might be just the boat for you. These don’t come up often, so act fast!
Dory Specifications
- LOA: 15’8″
- BEAM: 57″
- DISPLACEMENT: ~250 lbs
- DRAFT: 7″
This 1990s 16′ Swampscott Dory Rowboat includes:
- Green Gelcoat Stripe with gold pinstripe detail
- Light blue interior color
- Aft storage hatch with separate drain plug
- Stainless steel keel strip
- 2 pairs of 8′ spoon blade oars
- 1 pair of 8′ flat blade oars
- Custom canvas cover with aluminum cover stays
- Trailer
Important notes:
This was originally a sailboat, so it has a centerboard and mast step, but no sail rig is included. (We found this model performed better as a rowboat than a sailboat. We don’t recommend converting this into a sailboat unless you are an experienced sailor and comfortable adding your own lead ballast.)
This boat was brought to us without documentation of the boat or the trailer, and there are no discernable serial numbers present. Make sure you know your state’s requirements for vehicle and vessel registration (we can advise on WA state requirements, but every state has their own rules).
This 16′ Swampscott Dory needed some TLC to touch up some age-related issues it had when it was brought in, but we’ve done the work for you so it is ready to be put back in the water for many more years of service. It would be ideal for use as a recreational rowing and fishing boat for someone who enjoys the quiet and solitude of human-powered rowing!
Asking only $4,995 for this truly rare specimen. This boat is available now at our shop in Gig Harbor, so it is a great opportunity to get out on the water while there’s plenty of summer weather still ahead! Give us a call for more details. For more information or to schedule a viewing, call us at (253)-851-2126 or fill out the form below to send us an email.