Grand Banks Dory - A Working Boat Built for the North Atlantic

The Grand Banks dory is one of the most recognizable and enduring small working boats in North American maritime history. Developed for the demanding conditions of the North Atlantic, these boats were designed with a simple but highly effective hull form that emphasized stability, load-carrying capacity, and ease of handling in rough seas.

Used extensively from the early 1700s onward, Bank dories served both inshore and offshore fishing operations, particularly in conjunction with larger fishing vessels operating on the Grand Banks. Their straight sides, flat bottoms, and pronounced sheer allowed them to be stacked aboard mother ships, launched quickly, and worked hard under difficult conditions.

This model represents a 12-foot Grand Banks dory, the smallest of the five standard dory classes. Built from a wooden kit in 1/12 scale and finished in acrylics, the focus of the build was on clean lines, subtle surface variation, and an honest working appearance rather than heavy weathering. The intent was to capture the quiet utility of a boat designed not for display, but for daily labor at sea - simple, capable, and enduring.

Utility Skiff - A Small Boat Built for Everyday Work

This model represents an 8-foot, 6-inch two-man utility skiff, a small working boat whose basic design dates back to the nineteenth century and remains in use today. Rooted in traditional dory construction, this type of skiff was valued for its simplicity, stability, and versatility, making it well suited for everyday tasks such as tending moorings, transporting gear, or working close to shore.

The kit was built entirely from wood and follows the same construction methods used on the full-sized boat, with individual planks, frames, and interior details assembled in scale rather than simplified for modeling convenience. This approach preserves the character of the original design and highlights the straightforward, functional nature of the craft.

Built in 1/12 scale and finished in acrylics, the focus of this build was on clean workmanship and subtle surface variation rather than heavy weathering. The goal was to present the skiff as a lightly used, well-maintained working boat - practical, unpretentious, and ready for daily use.