| The Ketch gives you the opportunity to fly the mizzen tri-sail and lots
of other configurations. At anchor, a small tri sail can be hoisted
on the mizzen to keep the bow into the wind.
Also, the mainsail is a bit smaller and easier to manage.
The Mizzen is also a fine place to mount radar. (Main mast causes
problems with the genoa)
Finally the mizzen adds lots more standing rigging and weight aloft
(bad for performance) and more to manage and maintain.
With a wooden boat, you'll have lots to manage anyway!
Frank
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| For the benefit of the conference, comments from rec.boats:
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Dickerson was a long-time builder of cruising yachts in the Chesapeake Bay.
They were known as honest, shallow-draft, not particularly exciting yachts.
There were two designs; a 32-footer, and a 40-footer. They are quite roomy,
but tend to pound in a head sea, as they are a relatively flat-bottomed
design.
This is a good boat for coastal cruising, but not what I'd pick for ocean
voyaging. Be sure to have it surveyed by a good surveyor; if its spent much
time in the Chesapeake, it'll have some dry rot.
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The Dickerson yard is a venerable institution in Oxford Maryland with a
reputation for building high quality cruising boats designed for the
Chesapeake Bay. Of course, the value of a 25 year old wooden boat will
depend more on how it has been maintained and its current condition.
Rich Schifreen
Earendil
63387
[email protected]
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I worked at Dickerson the summer of 1978 and can tell you first hand that it
was at that time a first class operation producing quality boats. They have
since been sold a few times and now I'm told are producing boats again.
They are located in Trappe on Mds eastern shore. Sorry, can't help you with
the Ketch information, we were making fiberglass boats in 78.
Scott Wolff
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I had a very comfortable sail on Lake Superior on Dickerson '41. All in all
a capable boat. Only problem encountered was we had a main winch blow off in
moderate wind. Seems the winch was securred by 4 screws into the wood deck.
Don't know if this indicates problems elsewhere in construction but the boat
had survived several seasons on Lake Superior and several trips to the East
Coast.
Steve
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The Dickerson boats were built in the small town of Trappe, Maryland. The
earliest boats were wood, the later fiberglass. In general, the boats have
enjoyed a good reputation. Like many small builders, they are not as well
known nationally, and therefore can usually be bought more reasonably than
recognized brands.
Your deal sounds good. I would definitely suggest you spend the money to
survey it before purchasing it. If the boat has any problems you will know
it going into the deal.
I have a friend who just bought a Dickerson 32 (wood) very reasonably and
with a little work will soon have a good cruising boat.
Wooden boats are beautiful, but do require work, as many people in this forum
can attest. There are a number of wooden boats on the market reasonably
priced because people are, by and large, too lazy to own them (or too poor).
Paul Rosenfield\Metalmast Marine
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Dickerson made (and still makes) good boats, but be aware that the value of a
wood boat can go to zero in a year if not properly maintained. They require
far more maintenance than fiberglass boats and this is why the sell for such
low prices. Most people just aren't up to doing the work themselves and can't
afford to have it done professionaly. I generally think that wood boats today
are for people who really enjoy woodworking and are already good at it.
At any rate, make sure you are really prepared for what you are getting into
and then find an old surveyor who knows wood boats to make sure it is even
worth maintaining. All too often they aren't, because they haven't been.
Mike
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