Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sanpierotta Build



Some photos of a sanpierotta under construction. Please note the graceful sweep of the foredeck!
Oh, my!








Built upright, dory fashion -- not easy, but simple.



A good strong shoulder with plenty of efficient stability in the aft sections...







Where did they get larch boards that wide?!! (find the answer in the comments below)

I wouldn't want to offend anyone with this suggestion, but I could see a lapstrake version of this boat built with locally available marine grade mahogany plywood.

Hmmmmmmm.....

Study plans below.


The Master Shipwright in the above photo is Matteo Tamassia, originally from Tuscany who now teaches at the Nautical Institute Giorgio in Venice where he also builds these masterpieces.
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6 comments:

Unknown said...

Once again thank you for your prompt publication.
I forgot: the name of the master shipwright on the photos is Matteo Tamassia, he is originary from Tuscany but now is teaching in the local Nautical Institute Giorgio and, of course he builds this masterpieces.
Larch table are from the Dolomites ( a part of the Alps), very close to Venice (one hour by car) Is the principal tree (whit the white and red pine) of the Alps.
It is curious because, from the foresta di Panaveggio e di Tarvisio, the use the larch to build violins, since Stradivari. A different instrument but a marvellous sound too.

All my best Giacomo

doryman said...

I consider it a privilege to share these boats with the world and you are very kind to provide me with answers to all my questions.

Yesterday was a quiet Sunday and I spent half the day immersed in this post. A privilege, like I said.

It's a wonder to me that trees big enough to make such wide boards are still left in the Dolomites.

European settlers have been here on the west coast of the US for less than two hundred years and though there are still stands of the native conifers, in my lifetime alone, most of those big trees are gone.

The trees we harvest today are genetically propagated and commercially planted, a plantation. They are harvested when only 25 years old. It is a crime and a story of waste and greed.

Those who have lived and worked for generations in the forest industry have little to show for their labor but poverty.

To make a knot free board 10 or 12 inches wide,as seen here, a boat builder must resort to manufactured wood.

I admire Matteo and his craft. If you see him, tell him thank you for me.

Unknown said...

Great, once again, great Michael.
Super Dory life!

doryman said...

I haven't had this much fun since I discovered my mentor, John Gardner and his wonderful book on dories... and became a doryman... many years ago. It's a fine voyage!

Raef said...

I like the shape of these dories and the stories and tails about dories and boats.I am thinking of building adory in alumumn
would this work? cheers Stewart

doryman said...

The sanpierota is probably not a good candidate for an aluminum build with it's dramatic shear but here where I live there are at least two commercial fishing boats that are "semi-dory" in design and aluminum in construction, including one well kept charter boat that is lapstrake planked.