CLC Northeaster Dory
I bought a partially built kit boat a few years ago. I've worked sporadically since then to complete it. Now I'm setting out to finish it enough to use in a project I've daydreamed about for several years: shooting 360° video of Virginia Beach and Norfolk waterway routes, then posting them to a viewing platform online and into Google Street View.
Throughout the 757 are creeks and rivers: the lifeblood of the terrain and life support for the remaining flora and fauna in the area. And really cool places to see.
Of the boats I have on hand the Northeaster Dory will be the best for shooting GoPro 360° video. The long waterline and thin hull will keep momentum between oar strokes and give a consistent speed. Keeping a consistent velocity is important to get clear GPS data so the video footage can be incorporated into Street View.
(note why better than canoe & kayak)
To-do list prior to shakedown:
- Install a drain plug in the transom
- Sand and varnish the outwales
- Sand the interior and prep for paint, possibly adding another coat or two of epoxy
- Paint the interior
- Mount the oarlocks
- Fabricate and install thwarts
- Make an insert plate or doubler plate that fits on or in the forward thwart to accommodate different masts:
- the one I picked from Ocean View
- the one Mike made
- a CLC designed one
- Install fixed floatation
- And last but not least, build a camera mast for the camera that will take the videos
Eventually I would like to install a sliding-seat rig so the dory can be rowed like a shell. What I'd really like to do is install a sliding footrest and oarlock rig with a fixed seat so I can get the mechanical advantage of the sliding seat (leg extension contributing to the towing power) without my center of mass sliding forward & aft, causing the hull to hobby-horse in the water.
I think this would further increase my odds of getting good GPS data, which would be nice. I tried posting videos of Queen Anne stairways when I was working in Seattle but found it a frustrating experience. Out of dozens of videos I took, walking up and down hills and stairways in Seattle, Street View accepted two of them.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XJ5RXGUDoMP3R7zR7 https://maps.app.goo.gl/wHvMrA9DVvcKaQfa7
Only one of the two is even in Queen Anne! Out of frustration with the opaque interface of Google Street View I took a hail Mary attempt at a stairway in Magnolia and it came out great.
Progress reports will be posted at the NavTees blog as work gets done and once I can shoot them, waterway videos will be posted there too.
Eventually the dory will also get the sailing rig, including
- The rest of the rigging needed to sail
As well as a Dory Dolly to help move it from place to place on land
But that's a whole other story. The short term goal is to get the boat ready to row and be a platform for shooting video