how to build a swampscott dory: XII. Metal!

With it's classic gunther rig, our mast will stand about 14' above board. That'll give us almost 150 sq ft of sail, which means a lot of wind force, even for a sturdy timber like sitka spruce.

1/4 Inch stainless steel cables will stay the mast so our dory can dance in a hurricane, if she wants to.

You cut em roughly to length. Then uncoil the wires by hand, inserting each filament deep under your fingernail until it really hurts.

Bend the filaments back and stuff the whole frayed mess upside-down through a bronze bell and fill the bell with liquid metal.

Then you'll want to obsessively re and re-measure the wire to get it the precise length for your mast. Repeat the whole torrid metal process on the other end and then stand there while Dad rigs it all up.

Just do unto it.

Hair buns held taut, then yielded just a little, then frizzed entirely as the ladies headscratched for a solution:

Perhaps they could spare their remaining husbands by designing a rugged surf dory. A fast sailer. Round-sided to haul in nets of crab. Highly stable to never swamp, not even in the treacherous Nor'easterly swells.

Huh?

Well mayhaps they could visit upon the Indians and learn their timeless methods of survival?

Nay, friend. For God had passed judgement on the savages and their gravemound housed a taffy shoppe.

How about they forego fishing the terrible ocean, and simply trap the plentiful mutton and venison of the forest?

Aye, friar. Except ladies do prefer chowder to stew.

Well then let the women also take to sea. Joining the men in their peril, so any loss of life would be shared - the ultimate act of union?

Oh Christ, what was that first idea?

And thus, with love as her mother, ye Swampscott Dory was conceived.

how to build a swampscott dory

XII. Metal!

Whence the Swampscott?

Pilgrim grim.

Just do unto it.