Dories for Sale
1998 16’ Crawford Swampscott Sailing Dory
with 1998 Load Rite Trailer
$9,250
Located in Spring Lake, NJ
1998 Crawford Swampscott Sailing Dory, hull #197 of 200, offered for the first time. This is an opportunity to own one of the last of these classic dories built by Roger Crawford, to uncompromising standards, at his historic boatbuilding shop in Marshfield, MA.
This dory was in the water only a very few times and all finishes (interior paint, woodwork oil, gelcoat, etc.) are original! The hull is pristine and retains its original mirror-like finish, just as originally delivered to its one owner.
As a pleasure boat based on the most iconic workboats in New England maritime history, the Crawford Swampscott Dory is renowned as a uniquely seaworthy boat for its size. It can be sailed, rowed, or motored. In addition to its extraordinary utility, the elegance of its sheerline is unmatched!
Features and condition
• Hull is ivory. Interior color is café au’lait. Hardware is bronze (and stainless fastenings). Woodwork is teak.
• This boat is outfitted with four bronze oarlocks (two for each of the forward and aft rowing positions which are aligned with the fore and aft thwarts, respectively) that you can stow when underway. The varnished oars are in fine condition and fitted with oar leathers (sleeves with collars). A bronze locking oar clamp is positioned on the starboard bench.
• Comes with gray mooring cover that requires mending— portions of the seams need to be restitched, but there are no tears. It was constructed to be supported by three wooden bows which need to be replaced (when in place, these sit in bronze fixtures mounted on the inside of the gunwales).
• The sprit-rigged sail (made by David Howard Sailmakers of Marshfield, MA) is in like-new condition, with all of the rigging (bronze, stainless fasteners, lines) in place and in fine condition. The varnished mast and sprit are gleaming, and as a later-built Crawford dory, this boat is also outfitted with a varnished boom.
• The teak brightwork has never been stained or varnished— all of the finishes are the original Amazon Golden Teak Oil hand-applied by Roger and team. Some of the decorative (an upgrade option) teak sheer panels on top strakes and bench areas are slightly weathered by fresh water exposure (rain/snow exposure when the boat was stored) and would benefit from a light sanding and a coat of teak oil.
• Professionally mounted four stroke Honda gas engine (purchased new, used only twice, has owner’s manual and tool kit), along with plastic fuel tank and tubing, is included in sale.
• 1998 Load Rite trailer (garage stored with boat) model 16 1000L, galvanized finish, 2 inch cam buckle tie down strap, winch bow strap, bench carpeting is like new.
Note that the trailer coupler size fits only a 1 7/8” trailer ball, but the parts can be converted up to 2” if necessary.
This is a wonderful opportunity to own a piece of modern maritime history!
You can view a video about the Swampscott Dory that was made by Roger and his crew back in the 1980’s here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcQzL5N7oFM
All inquiries should be made to
Roger Crawford by email roger@melonseed.com
or phone 781.837.3666
1988 16’ Crawford Swampscott Sailing Dory
with 1989 Load Rite Trailer
$8500.
Located in York, PA
Hull #RDBS0159K888
This dory is hull # 159 in a limited series of 200. She is the perfect example of beauty, versatility and grace. Very few other small traditional boats offer the ability to sail, motor and row, all at the same level of performance as the Crawford Swampscott Dory. She has been exceptionally well cared for and in fabulous condition, a testament to how well the boats were built. Production ceased in 2000 and the replacement cost today would be in the $30,000 range. Dories are legendary for their seaworthiness in open water yet are a pleasure to row in quiet backwater adventures. This boat will power along effortlessly at 3 – 4 knots when necessary. And for what it’s worth, Roger Crawford believes that this dory has the most perfect sheerline he’s seen in a small traditional boat. Wherever you take her you will be the beneficiary of praise from other boaters.
The boat has benefitted from diligent maintenance and significant upgrades under her current ownership, and as a result she presents as close to a new boat as can be imagined for her almost 40 years of service. All the teak trim has been restored using Cetol Natural followed with 6 coats of Cetol Gloss. Floorboards refinished with Cetol Light. Rudder restored using West System Epoxy on rudder blade (3 coats) followed by Interlux Schooner Gold Varnish (5 coats). Lower part of rudder painted with Pettit Gloss Yacht White (5 coats). Tiller restored using Minwax Gloss Spar Polyurethane (5 coats). Spars (mast, boom and sprit boom) refinished using Minwax Satin Spar Polyurethane (5 coats). Bottom of mast restored using West System Epoxy followed with Minwax Satin Spar Polyurethane (5 coats). Leathers on mast and booms at contact points. Spar cradles are made for storing spars inside of boat while stored. Cradle finished with Cetol Marine and leather used in individual slots to protect finish on spars & oars.
All bronze fixtures restored removing tarnish.
Running rigging replaced with varying diameter Sta-Set line (tan). New sail in 2020 by Dabbler Sails used very minimally. Quite possibly one of the last sails made by Dabbler Sail’s renowned traditional small boat sailmaker Stuart K Hopkins. Single set of reef points, brailing line, Sta-Set tie-on hanks, sail streamer at peak, Contender 5.38 tan bark material. Tufnol Blocks are used for trimming advantage on snotter. Restored wooden blocks for mainsheet.
Titled Load Rite trailer - rebuilt trailer deck using pressure-treated lumber and plastic decking as well as new bunk carpeting. New LED lights, newer tongue jack, newer trailer winch with 2” webbing. Bearing Buddy hubs, tires & wheels 3 years old. Bearings were inspected 2 years ago by trailer mechanic. 1 7/8” ball.
Outboard - Johnson 3.0 2-stroke outboard. Starts consistently in a few strokes. Very reliable outboard.
Her remarkably strong fiberglass hull interior has been painted tan by previous owner, has a few chips but overall, in very good shape.
Both boat and trailer are titled and registered in PA.
All inquiries should be made to
Roger Crawford by email roger@melonseed.com
or phone 781.837.3666
Recently Sold Dories
Sold: 1988 Crawford 16’ Swampscott Sailing Dory # 154 (Owner completed kit boat) and trailer $6,900
Sold: 1988 CRAWFORD SWAMPSCOTT SAILING DORY $8,700
Sold: 1988 16’ CRAWFORD SWAMPSCOTT SAILING DORY $7,900
Sold: CRAWFORD SWAMPSCOTT DORY $11,000. Note: The cover image presented on this web page is of a “Sistership” Swampscott Dory, included here to add context, insight and information. There is no jib, topsail or boom on this boat, only the 77’ mainsail. This will be noted in a separate category than the images of the actual boat.
Sold: 1999 16’ CRAWFORD SWAMPSCOTT SAILING DORY $8,850
Sold: 16’ 1978 CRAWFORD SWAMSCOTT DORY $4,995 ROWING/MOTOR MODEL (not set up for sailing, but could be converted if necessary)
Sold: CRAWFORD SWAMPSCOTT DORY # 199 $7500. Note: Some of the images presented on this web page are “Sisterships” photos of other Swampscott Dories, included here to add context, insight and information. Those will be in a separate category than the images of the actual boat.
