THE DORY STORY - and those other craft

Dories are the ultimate river vessel design. Yes, we are biased, but for good reason. Once you ride in a dory boat you will appreciate the remarkable distinctions that differentiate it’s ride from that of a conventional raft. Pure euphoria best describes the ride. While the rigidity of the dory boat provides a most exhilarating ride, it is also very comfortable to sit in. A raft contorts to the shape of the wave and sometimes has a catapulting effect in serious rapids, while a dory dances more smoothly with a graceful fluidity of motion. A dory boat ride is much more exciting, yet not abrupt or cataclysmic in nature. Even non swimmers appreciate the more secure feeling in rigid boat. With padded seats and backrest, along with unique elkhorn and walrus bone hand holds, the additional creature comforts add style and elegance to dory travel. Also, photographers will find the dory boat’s special aesthetic beauty will enhance their action pictures and scenic shots, exponentially.

Okay, what exactly is a dory boat?

Imagine a small row boat with a high bow, flared sides, and a rockered bottom, fore and aft. True dories are pointed symmetrically on both ends, while some have been modified with a squared off stern. All are decked over, and some are totally self bailing.

One of the most important qualities of a dory boat is that it offers an exceptionally drier ride than a raft. The boat rides higher up and slices through the wave, while the sides flare water away from guests, rather than in their face (like a blunt nose, rounded tube, raft does).

In fact, the Eclipse (name of Gary’s personal dory boat) may have been the very first totally self bailing dory boat ever designed (1979). Before that time, some dory boats were self bailing for the boatman’s bilge, but not for the guests.

Okay, then what is a drift boat?

The dory and driftboat share the same hull design. Once the deck is removed it becomes an open boat and is then referred to as a driftboat. The ride is the same, but the handling characteristics change considerably for the boatman. With less weight, the boat becomes quicker to respond to changes in the dynamics of the river’s current.

This results in a boat that is better designed to accommodate fishermen. Both for improved boat maneuverability and also facilitating a better platform from which to stand while fishing a hole or playing a fish.

The Rafts we use

Because of our love of the dory boat, we have selected rafts that mimic the classic dory boat design. The rafts we use have pointed bows, like a dory. This helps shed water better than the conventional rafts. All rafts we use are also self-bailing.

Size is another important aspect of a river raft. All rafts we use are large enough to negotiate the whitewater we run, yet small enough to allow you to feel the spirit of the river.

Large rafts tend to iron out the ride, rendering a more boring and lack luster ride. Not with our rafts.

We offer two options for raft travel. You can sit back and relax in an oar raft, while the guide does most of the rowing, or you can join a paddle raft crew and become a more active participant.

What about those inflatable kayaks?

Yes. For the more adventure bound, we have self bailing inflatables that are stable and exceptionally fun to paddle. We provide instruction that is suitable even for first time paddlers. Then we position you between our boats so you can follow our routes through the rapids, and have a back up boat behind for extra precaution.