posted 08-04-2003 10:17 PM ET (US)            

"The first Boston Whaler boat was built in 1958 in Braintree, Massachusetts. Founder Richard T. Fisher originally called the firm the Fisher-Pierce Company, before later changing the name to Boston Whaler.

"Fisher pioneered a revolutionary production process called Unibond™ that produced unsinkable boats. The technique--still employed today--begins with a hull comprised of two fiberglass skins between which liquid foam is poured. As the foam expands and hardens, it literally fuses with the fiberglass to form a single, inseparable unit. Because of the confined expansion space, the foam is very dense - which lends not only strength and rigidity, but provides unsurpassed flotation. In fact, some Boston Whaler models boast 250 percent more flotation than is required by the United States Coast Guard.

"Boston Whaler was thrust into the national limelight on May 19, 1961, when Life magazine featured photographs of Fisher sitting in a boat as it was sawed in half. Subsequent photographs depicted Fisher casually driving away in only half a boat. Thus, the "Unsinkable Legend" was born."

posted 08-05-2003 10:07 PM ET (US)            

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/history/whaler.html

for an article that covers most of the corporate history.

Thanks for the input on the historical connection between Boston Whaler and the Dell Quay Dory.

posted 09-02-2003 04:23 PM ET (US)         

In addition, since Boston Whaler still makes my 18ft Outrage in the form of the 19 Guardian, I wonder what is being used for navigational lights? Wilcox Crittenden, says they are out of production for this part.

posted 11-14-2003 06:51 PM ET (US)            

I live in the uk and had a 13 Dell Quay in the family for 20
years.

These were a fantastic little boat that could tackle just about any atlantic swell that was thrown AT IT.
The original manufacturer was a company called Waddam Stringer Ltd but they passed the moulds to Fletcher LTd in the 1980s.

Originally there were 3 boats, 11' , 13' and 17' then a more complex hull in 15' came along.

Early 13s were only rated to 40hp and had a low transom for short shaft engines but in the late 80s the transom was raised and engines up to 50hp started appearing although I always thought it to be overpowerd beyond 40hp.

3 versions with different layouts were made but the original with wooden seats was hard to beat.

The 17' Dell Quay while a solid craft had such a bad ride that i sold it after one season and found that the 13 was a better boat allround.

Fletcher boats got into financial problems in 2001 and ended with the reported sad death of the companies owner.
So far Fletchers sports boats have been put back into production but I havnt heard anything about the Dory yet.

I now own an Outrage 19 but I still have fond memories of the little 13 Dell Quay .

posted 05-27-2004 03:58 PM ET (US)            

The title calls it a "Florida Dory". It may be a DellQuay, just mistitled (it originated from Floriday), or maybe its something else. It definately has the DellQuay look with the side flaring out at the transom.

posted 08-30-2004 03:59 PM ET (US)         

I think the design differs enough that BW couldnt win, like McKee or Wahoo are obvious knock offs, also most likely harder to sue another a company in another country.

Heck look @ a company like Shelby, he took a British sports car { the AC I believe it's called } threw a Ford engine in it & turned it into a Shelby American, on of the most sought after collecters cars in the world today, so it works both ways.

I'm sorry if I missed this but are Dell Quays unsinkable like the BW's ?

posted 10-11-2005 10:02 AM ET (US)            

I too have just bought a Dell Quay 13 and I think the hull foam is waterlogged, although she floats well, just seems heavy. How did you get the water out from between the hulls?

posted 11-19-2005 08:29 AM ET (US)            

I think that I just bought your old boat. I live in Biloxi.

posted 01-01-2006 07:35 PM ET (US)            

A few more drain holes were drilled near the keel on either side, but this was found to be hit and miss for finding additional drips. I am unsure of the internal construction. If I were optimistic, perhaps there's a sealed PVC pipe down the center of the hull to prevent water entry from the keel area into the foam, but I'm not at all convinced of that since I could feel water was up to the interior floor in one delaminated area). I let the boat drip for a about five weeks. I'm sure there was capilary moisture still held in the foam, but the free water drips had stopped. I seriously considered removing the keel protector entirely and their shorter companions on the outer tri-hulls, but decided to glass over the keel with the protector in place with two layers of fiberglass cloth strips and plenty of resin. So far this is holding up well. Also found some loose screw holes under the seats that would leak water if the boat took on a lot of rainwater with the plug in, so sealed them. Finally, pumped part of a can of "Great Stuff" foam insulation from Lowe's to take care of any voids, and sealed the remaining holes with epoxy putty.

posted 04-05-2006 08:18 PM ET (US)            

My HIN starts with D17xxxx, so I assume this indicates the Dory 17 followed by a sequence.

On the inside of the transome, on the port side I believe, there should be a metal plate attached indicating the year and boat capacities.

Hope this helps,

posted 04-24-2006 07:55 AM ET (US)            

The boat itself was my first boat bought second hand in the early 70s from a marina in Devon and had a Mercury 40 HP short shaft (remember them?)and I did lots of skiing and fishing etc. It ended it's life after many years as just a rower to get out to moorings.

I do have the current use of another Dell Quay Dory 13, which is actually about 13ft 6" long, which we use as a safety boat in inshore waters with our Sea Scout troop and this has prooved to be a very good boat for this purpose.
We run it with a 25HP Marina.

The Dory seems to me to be identical to the Boston Whaler with the exception of the different fittings. I can see form your website pics no difference to that which we are using now(apart for fittings eg. rails, perhaps different cockpit control and that type of thing). I had always been lead to think that the hulls were the same.

I have the boat locally and could provide pics if anyone requires.
Hope this adds to your knowledge a bit.

posted 06-11-2006 09:33 AM ET (US)            

It was purchased with a 1990 Mariner 25, and the boat has been modified with an aluminium centre console and a single seat, although I have since added a bench seat midships. The outboard itself has reached the end of its useful life: it no longer idles and the gearbox is on its last legs. I have just purchased a 2004 Mercury 30hp 4-stroke with only 20 hours of use. It is a manual start and tilt model, short shaft and weighs in at around 75Kg (165 lb) dry, so it should be a great engine for the dory.

The hull itself looks to be in good condition, and if there is water in the foam it is certainly not causing any problems. There is some very slight wrinkling of the inner hull, particularly on the sides near the front, but there is no evidence of delamination.

In the 90's I had an ex Shell North Sea rescue 17' DQD, originally powered by two Johnson 70's which I replaced with a 90hp Yamaha. That boat really flew, but was thirsty and heavy, and as mentioned in another post had a very hard ride. It had suffered bow damage at some time which had been badly repaired with filler, but apart from that it was a solid and stable utility/work/dive boat that gave you confidence in any sea.

The little 13 has a remarkable deck size and will be a great boat for fishing around here (Shetland Islands) and maybe a bit of diving. I'll post some pics when I get the new engine on her.

If anyone has any information regarding the age and history of my hull it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

posted 07-31-2006 03:10 PM ET (US)            

I cut back the foam and where the foam meets the outer hull it's moist. I then removed a 1 x 3 inch section down at the bottom of the transom. Expecting to need a bucket, it's only moist. If I stuff a paper towel into the hole, it wicks the moisture out, but there doesn't appear to be a whole lot of water in the hull.

So, my question, is the hull separating from the core a big problem or something more common to these foam filled boats?

BTW, my GUESS is, that over the winter, the moisture froze and cause the separation. Any experience with this problem.

posted 10-12-2006 07:33 PM ET (US)            

REGARDS,
CAPT. EVERETT WHORTON
MARTHA'S VINEYARD ISLAND

posted 10-12-2006 08:05 PM ET (US)            

MODIFICATIONS:
25 HP MERC WITH TILT TRIM
DUAL BATTERIES WITH BATTERY SWITCH
DUAL BILDGE PUMPS
FUEL FILTER
CABLE STEERING WITH CUT DOWN CONSOLE
GUNNEL TO GUNNEL FISH BOX WITH FLOATATION CUSHIONS
SIDE RAILS FROM A 15 FT.BOSTON WHALER W/ S/S POLE HOLDERS
FRONT PLATFORM DECK (FORMERLY THE TOP OF A STEAMSHIP LIFE JACKET LOCKER THAT WAS FOUND DRIFTING AFTER HURRICAN BOB)CUSTOM FITTED.
12 GAL ALUM. VENTED GAS TANK UNDER THE PLATFORM WITH ADDITION STORAGE
A 64 QUART IGLOO COOLER
GARMIN GPS AND FISH FINDER
POST MOUNTED RUNNING LIGHTS WITH MAP LIGHT
ANCHOR PULPIT WITH REEL
TOP SPEED 22.2 MPH

LOW RIDER TRAILER WITH CUSTOM AXEL AND FAT BOY TIRES

posted 01-15-2007 11:09 PM ET (US)            

I just purchased a home in southeastern Massachusetts which came with a 1986 Dell Quay Dory 13 in very good condition with a relatively new Mariner 40 hp outboard and a trailer. I have no need for the boat and would entertain any reasonable offer for the whole package. Thanks.

posted 05-29-2007 09:51 AM ET (US)            

The centre console gives loads of deck space and also keeps the boat very trim. She's great for two of us going out fishing, and with the new motor she'll plain at 15Kts which is a good speed for choppy sea. In flat calm conditions she'll do 25Kts one up, 20Kts with two and about 18Kts with three and no ballast. With four she struggles onto the plain, but once up will still reach 15Kts.

Spec: 1970's (I think) Shetland Boats Dell Quay Dory
Engine: 2003 Mercury 30hp 4 stroke manual start with gas assist tilt and manual trim
Mods: Duralmin centre console and seat

Picture: http://www.dj-moose.co.uk/files/dory13.jpg

Cheers all,

posted 08-13-2007 05:12 PM ET (US)            

It really is unsinkable bringing me and my family safely through a tornado many years ago. The water inside was up to the gunwales, the gas tank was floating, the family was under the canvas cover (long since gone)as I desparately tried to find land. No problem for the Dory. She kept on going until I landed at a dock and the kids and wife and dog scampered out.

posted 12-14-2007 03:11 AM ET (US)            

I'd be really interested in seeing your photos of your DQD rebuit. I have the floor out and the transom off of a 13' and am planning the rebuild. Am especially interested in what you did with foam bulkheads.

Regards,

posted 12-24-2007 04:12 AM ET (US)            

Dell Quay used a similar construction technique to Boston Whaler and used the foam in their hulls to build strength between the two thin fiberglass shells. The Dell Quays that I have dealt with, 3 total, all shown signs of delamination between the foam and fiberglass. The Whalers I have dealt with, many more than 3, have not shown the same propensity to delaminate and their glass has always seemed stronger.

posted 03-26-2008 12:16 AM ET (US)            

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q2

It is common that older boats no longer have their original HIN identification intact.