Joe Dobler

The Sou'Wester Dory a traditional type for the modern homebuilder. This is a type small boat, which was developed by New England fisherman for use off the beach. It is primarily rowing boat and performs beautifully under oars. It will sail well with...

#246 was designed for Ken Handman in 1982. Joe had designed the Millennium Falcon (MF), No. 236 (25' x 4') 3 or 4 men, for Handman in 1981. MF won the 32 n.m. ocean rowing race to Santa Catalina in 1981 & 1982. This is a sleek one man rowing shell...

The Thirty + is one of Joe Dobler's better known large trimarans. It was originally designed for and built with plywood, but was soon put into production as a fiberglass model. Aparently the FG version was never as fast as the wood prototype, though...

Design #236 is a quad version of Dawn Treader, #246. They call it "The Great Catalina Island to Marina del Rey Rowing and Paddling Derby". That may not be the official title, but that is the popular name. It is staged annually around October first, by...

The Q-17 is a plywood sloop designed for the amateur builder. The construction is Taped Seam with FRP sheathing, which means that it is permanently tight and a strong, one piece structure. All parts are detailed so that they may be prefabricated. No...

This is a boat for the person who would rather spend time on the water than in the shop. All joints are first attached with copper wire for positioning and then taped with fiberglass cloth tape and epoxy for the structural connection. The components...

Design #247 is a double version of Dawn Treader, #246. Joe Dobler's design #247Light Double - a rowing shell LOA=25' Beam=32"Plywood Taped Seam Construction

It is axiomatic that the jack of all trades does nothing well. There are exceptions, however. The Vita Dinghy is one. A list of desirable attributes might include the following: easy construction with minimal skills, low cost, permanently tight, strong...

While the MARIETTA YAWL and the CRESTWOOD GIG are designed to appeal to secondary school students and disadvantaged youth, they should interest others. Neither sex nor age nor athletic prowess are limiting factors. Some of the handicapped have become...

Nootka Sound is a Camping Cruiser. It was an original design for Bob Young of Lake Oswego, Oregon, but generally similar to several earlier designs. Among the requirements were: Light weight for good trailerability with normal family cars; shoal draft;...

While competitive and recreational rowing is the reason behind the design, there are other possible uses for it. It can be rigged to sail, and being light and easily driven will go well with a fairly small rig. A centerboard trunk is an easy modification...

A while back, I met Tom Setum at the Scuzbums Giant Five Day Messabout in San Diego. Tom is the son-in-law of Joe Dobler. Joe is gone now, but was a pioneer of the stitch and glue technique of boat construction. He made his living as an engineer but his...