Dovekie Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Dovekie, an American sailing dinghy named for the seabird, was conceived by designer Phil Bolger in the late 1970s as a dedicated cruiser. Production of the Dovekie commenced in 1978 and continued until 1998, with Edey & Duff bringing approximately 152 examples to market by 1994. Bolger's design philosophy for the Dovekie centered on creating a boat optimized for shallow-water exploration, featuring a flat-bottomed hull and a distinctive leeboard configuration. This design choice allows for an exceptionally shallow minimum draft of just 0.33 feet, enabling access to areas inaccessible to deeper-keeled vessels.

Edey & Duff, established in 1968 by Mait Edey and Peter Duff, specialized in translating beloved traditional wooden designs into durable fiberglass, ensuring their longevity and reduced maintenance. The company was celebrated for its meticulous attention to detail and robust construction techniques, values that are evident in the Dovekie's solid fiberglass hull and deck, 14]. While one specific boat named "Dovekie" holds historical significance as the first Doughdish produced by the yard in 1973, the production model Dovekie (the subject of this article) is a distinct 21-foot design from Edey & Duff, showcasing their commitment to a diverse range of classic fiberglass sailboats.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of 21.42 feet and a waterline length of 19.0 feet, the Dovekie is a compact vessel designed for enjoyable and forgiving sailing. Weighing approximately 600 pounds, its lightweight displacement contributes to its agility and ease of handling. The boat features a cat rig with a reported sail area of 143 square feet, providing ample power for its size.

A defining characteristic of the Dovekie's performance is its leeboard hull type, which offers excellent lateral resistance without the deep draft of a conventional keel. Owners can raise and lower these leeboards from inside the cabin using a crank, allowing the boat to navigate in incredibly shallow water, down to a mere four inches of draft. This shoal draft capability is a cornerstone of its design, making it an ideal choice for exploring coves, creeks, and shorelines. Anecdotal evidence suggests the Dovekie sails very well and offers a stable platform, proving to be a safe choice even for families with small children due to its "in-the-boat" feel rather than "on-the-boat".

Accommodations and Layout

True to its "camp cruiser" designation, the Dovekie's interior accommodations are functional and geared towards simple overnighting or day-sailing comfort. The vessel features a cuddy cabin, providing basic shelter and space for sleeping. Despite its compact size, the design ingeniously incorporates operational elements within the cabin, allowing the leeboards to be controlled from inside. Additionally, tasks such as tending the anchor or raising and lowering the mast are managed by standing in the forward and main hatches, respectively. While specific details on the finish quality and materials are limited, Edey & Duff's reputation for robust, hand-laid fiberglass construction suggests a durable and practical interior designed for longevity and ease of maintenance.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Edey & Duff Dovekie consistently praise its solid construction and the overall quality inherent in an Edey & Duff build. Its primary strength lies in its unparalleled ability to access shallow waters, making it a champion for gunkholing and coastal exploration. The boat is often lauded for sailing well, offering a surprising level of performance and a comfortable motion for its size. The simplicity of its systems and robust nature contribute to its appeal as a low-maintenance vessel.

While owners generally express high satisfaction, some have noted that the leeboard system can initially be "baffling" to new users, suggesting a learning curve for optimizing their deployment. However, the absence of issues associated with centerboard corrosion or pivot bolt corrosion, common in other shoal-draft designs, is a distinct advantage of the leeboard system. The Dovekie's design prioritizes functionality and shallow-water access over extensive creature comforts, a trade-off that is well-accepted by its dedicated community of owners who value its unique capabilities as a reliable and versatile camp cruiser.