Dorothy Elizabeth: Building a Traditional Wooden Schooner [Hardcover]

Roger F. Duncan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2000

At age eighty, Roger Duncan decides it is time to build a new yacht. His methods are as surprising as his timing.

This is the story of why to build a 28-foot schooner, not how to build one. It is the story of why, particularly, to build a wooden sailing vessel that relies on age-old methods and materials, yet also embraces newfangled technologies. But mostly it is the story of the people--the score of craftsmen and craftswomen, friends, and family--who give their skill, advice, support, and time to turn Dorothy Elizabeth from an idea into a graceful, seaworthy reality. You will meet Ralph Stanley of Southwest Harbor, Maine, one of the world's great designers and builders of traditional wooden boats. You will meet Mary Chandler Duncan, a poet and the author's wife, soul mate, and first mate. You will meet Nat Wilson, sail maker, who took time out from building topsails for the USS Constitution to build sails for Dorothy Elizabeth. You will meet Frank Luke, neighbor, boatyard owner, all-around helper, and the man who launched Dorothy Elizabeth. And you will meet many other singular people drawn together by the building of a boat.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger F. Duncan edited and revised the fifth through tenth editions of his father's definitive A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast. He is also the author of Sailing in the Fog, Eastward, and Coastal Maine. He lives in East Boothbay, Maine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; First Edition edition (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393049043
• ISBN-13: 978-0393049046
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,146,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Ships > Boat Building

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A glorious story of family, friends, and creativity, November 7, 2000

By 

Greg Grundtisch (Lancaster, NY. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dorothy Elizabeth: Building a Traditional Wooden Schooner (Hardcover)

This book is not just another boatbuilding book. Though it does cronicle the building of Dorthy Elizabeth a 28 ft. schooner. It starts with refurbishing there Friendship sloop, then giving it away to there son, with the idea of aquiring a boat with an easier to handle sail plan. At age 80, Roger and Mary Duncan decide to have a famous Maine boatuilder, design and build a 28ft. bare hull schooner for them. They would take on much of the rigging and finish work themselves! Building is interupted by the "crash", a major obsticle. Then a time of reflection and taking stock. The Duncans regroup, and with the help of a very supportive family, and loyal friends and neighbors, they go forward. You learn about the traditional boatbuilding and all that it entails. And, along the way you will be exposed to interesting philosophy, and superb poetry.(The Day The Dam Broke is perfection!!) As the book nears the end you can appreciate what has been accomplished, the style and grace in which the Duncans overcame obsticles, the community spirit, the genuine care and concern. A valueable story of success by hard work, taking a risk, creativity, courage in the face of adversity, and people pitching in to help one another. You will find yourself pondering, maybe uncomfortably, weather you would have the strength and courage to do what they did. And with such character and dignity. Have your kids read this too. There's much to be learned for all.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story, October 24, 2011

By 

Okaw - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dorothy Elizabeth: Building a Traditional Wooden Schooner (Hardcover)

This book is not a "How To Build a Schooner" book; it is the story of getting a schooner built. There are, however, many good pictures and drawings that give insight to how a schooner is constructed and rigged. Well worth the price I paid.