Issuma is a 15m (50') steel staysail schooner with lifting keel, built by META in France to a Damien II design.
She has recently navigated the Northwest Passage from Whitehorse, Canada with a relatively ice free summer. Issuma has just completed the Bearing Strait, north to south. A fascinating story.
While they were in Ulukhaktok, Diamond Jenness Peninsula, Victoria Island, Canada, they came across the steel dory ketch Nur, which naysayers will note is a St Pierre Dory writ large.
Dan Johnson, I thought you in particular would appreciate this shot. Welcome aboard!
Looking forward to hearing more about the construction of your Badger.
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DoryMan has been receiving visits from a discussion on the WoodenBoat Forum lately on the subject of St Pierre Dories and live-aboard dories in particular. But the Forum will not allow me to respond. Imagine that.
So, this is for you folks who come here looking for information on dories. Mistral is my own dory-cruiser and a fine live-aboard she is. She is my own design and I built her (by) myself. She is 36 feet LOA with an eleven foot beam and displaces five tons. For those contemplating such a task, let me warn you - it will take a lot of energy, time and commitment. At times, I was on the verge of cutting Mistral up for firewood.
But to live your dreams is worth every minute. In fact, I am convinced there is no other way to live. That's why I write this blog - to encourage others to live their dreams. It does not matter if you don't know what you are doing - you will learn.
Mistral is not a St Pierre Dory, but similar. Her bottom profile is flatter, which gives a comfortable walking area below (the St Pierre has the most severe bottom rocker of all the dories and walking around in one can be a challenge). For those who are contemplating building a St Pierre, we have been following two different stories this last year, click here.
You are encouraged to add to the comments at the end of this post (or any post - I love to talk about boats!) Or contact me: mbogoger(at)gmail.com if you have a story to share.
It's been twenty years since the inception of the dory cruiser Mistral. She's been afloat for almost five years. Last weekend marked the completion of the design.
That's a long time. Thinking back at all the things that have happened in those years, both personally and over the world, it's a completely different place. There were times when this big dory was a burden, an unfinished hulk... Almost chainsawed it into scrap twice.
But more than anything, it's been good therapy.
For the last five years the sail rig has taken shape organically. Starting with a salvaged mast and used sails and ending recently with a new custom made mainsail. After weeks of hand sewing finish details, the sail was ready for a test on Sunday last. The crew showed up, the sun came out from behind the clouds and we went sailing.
There was no wind to speak of, but opportunities came and went for checking the set of the canvas and the drive of the ship. Snacks and champagne (Chuck brought his prize winning smoked salmon!) were passed around the cockpit. Therapy indeed!
My good friends Kim and John came out in their skiff and took photos. Kim is just learning to use her camera and she has an excellent eye. Thanks, Kim!
And thank you Chuck and Rick and Shay and Mary for excellent camaraderie, good food, hard work and helpful design improvement suggestions!
I'd also like to thank all of you who have offered encouragement and interest in this project, since the beginning of this blog. The idea behind this journal was to document Mistral and her cousins and it has turned into so much more.
