Denman Marine Newsletter

Hi Denman Marine, and welcome to the latest Denman Marine newsletter.

In this month's newsletter we have:

• The Northeaster Dory
• The Waka Project - Rongotai College
• Denman Marine Built Sassafras 16 For Sale
• Denman Marine Built Chesapeake 17 For Sale
• Special - Free Spacered Inwales
• Build Updates

If there is anything you would like to see in our future newsletters, discuss, query or order, please contact us via the contact form on our website.

A dory is a lot of boat for the money, which explains the enduring popularity of the type going  back 150 years or more.  Relatively few planks means less construction work.  The narrow waterline results in a fast hull under sail or oars, but the flared topsides provide ample reserve stability.  Dories are great load-carriers, and the Northeaster Dory is no exception. 360 kg is the max payload.

The Northeaster uses Chesapeake Light Craft's patented LapStitch process, in which pre-cut planking is assembled quickly with wire "stitches" and nothing more than a pair of ordinary sawhorses. Hull planking is 6mm okoume;  the bottom is 9mm, fiberglassed on both sides and up onto the side planking.  Bulkheads are laminated together from layers of 9mm plywood.  Epoxied together, the hull is light---only about 45kg---and very strong. And with 800 pounds of displacement, this dory offers real versatility. It's small enough to be rowed by one person, but big enough for tandem rowing with two adults.  Like all dories, the Northeaster tracks well, has a long glide, and stays dry in waves.  Even four adults have comfortable seating.

The proportions of the sailing rig follow traditional recreational dory rigs very closely.  Under sail the Northeaster Dory is fast, stiff, and close-winded.  Given the narrow waterline, the hull is extremely easily driven and jumps up to speed in light air---the acceleration is really noticeable.  Dory sailors comment on the surprising absence of wake, visible evidence of a low-resistance hull.  But like all dories, the hull flares rapidly above the water, so stability comes on strong as the boat heels under sail.

Head over to our Northeaster Dory page for further details. Place your order for a Northeaster Dory kit during June and recieve a Spacered Inwale upgrade valued at up to $425 for free. See below for details.

The Waka Project

Rongotai - “The sound of the sea”.  That is the working name for our [Rongotai College - Wellington NZ] (nearly) finished sailboat that started with a realisation that Rongotai Boys (even in year nine) are a little too big for the sailboats provided by the Worser Bay Boating Club.  So started our journey to make our own in a way that could support our students and explore our deep and ancient relationship with the sea.

The goal of the project was to encourage a deeper relationship with the sea and traditional sailing technology, hence our use of an outrigger sail boat with a claw sail design not dissimilar to what would have been used in the past in navigating to and around Aotearoa New Zealand by Pacific Peoples many centuries ago. 

Head over to our website to view the full article about the Rongotai College students and community building an Outrigger Junior.

Due to a change in the owner’s circumstances, here is a rare opportunity to purchase a brand-new, Denman Marine built - Sassafras 16 canoe.

The canoe has been constructed from lightweight Lloyd’s certified marine plywood planking, WEST System Epoxy resin and fibreglass cloth with built-in buoyancy/storage compartments in the bow and stern. Beautiful Tasmanian King Billy Pine has been used for the thwarts, and the boat comes with a lightweight, hand-crafted paddle. A small electric motor (Berkley 75lb thrust) is also included in the sale.

PRICE DROP - $7,500 $6,000 o.n.o.

Currently located at our workshop in Kettering Tasmania. Please get in touch with us if this lovely boat is of interest.

Looking for a professionally built wooden kayak? Then look no further. Andrew built this Chesapeake 17 for himself, and after a great deal of enjoyment it is unfortunatley time to shrink the fleet.

As with all our kits, the Chesapeake 17 has been constructed from lightweight Lloyd’s certified marine plywood, WEST System Epoxy resin and fibreglass cloth with built-in buoyancy/storage compartments in the bow and stern. It also includes a smart track rudder system. Paddle not included. It is in great condition with the usual signs of use.

You can have this great kayak for the cost of a kit! - $2,765 o.n.o

Currently located at our workshop in Kettering Tasmania. We can organise shipping around Australia, let us know and we can organise a delivery estimate to your door.

Northeaster Dory Free Spacered Inwales

Place your order for a Northeaster Dory Base or Wood Parts Only kit this month and recieve a free Spacered Inwales upgrade kit valued at up to $425.

So head on over to our Northeaster Dory page for further details and to place your order today.

This offer is valid from 17/06/25 till 31/07/25. Applicable to Northeaster Dory Base and Wood Parts Only kits only. Shipping within Australia and New Zealand for kits is based your location and will be quoted separately.

Denman Marine is Chesapeake Light Craft's Australia and New Zealand agent for their fantastic range of DIY kits. There is a huge selection of over sixty designs, including kayaks, canoes, rowing and sailing boats and even a teardrop camper. Be sure to head on over to our Chesapeake Light Craft page to grab a bargain on your next project. Below you can find a few recent examples of what our builders have been up to.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us at any time via our contact form to discuss your next boat or project.

Please note, any prices listed above are in Australian Dollars.

® Denman Marine 2024
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