The FIRST MATE makes the ideal start for anyone needing a small fishing dory. The craft is cheap and easy to build and can be rowed reasonably well although it has been specifically designed to take outboard motors from 4 h.p. to 25 h.p. A. 9 h.p. engine will give good planing speeds. The craft has been designed for shallow water operation with a draught of only about 100mm with the motor up. The plan calls for 100mm thick foam buoyancy under all the seats which means the craft is unsinkable in the event of swamping. This craft is easily trailered on an ordinary flat trailer or luggage trailer without the need for an expensive boat trailer.

The building system is simple as the craft is built on its own bottom which is cut from 12mm plywood. It has simple transverse frames which are just erected on the bottom along with the stem and transom and the plywood sides are then fitted around the outside of the framework. Estimated building time is 34 hours excluding painting. The plan includes FULLSIZE TEMPLATESof the frames, plus detailed construction drawings, material list and written instruction.