Glen-L.com

Here is a question that’s going to spark a debate.

I want to make a boat that can be used by my family. Basically a cross generation craft.

Now it has to be:

1) Stable and not prone to tip over. (for the kids)
2) Easy to built… (that’s for me)
3) Outboard preferred.
4) Around 20 feet and with an open concept that doesn’t require lots of climbing over stuff.
5) Easy to get in or out by people with bad hips (my parents)

A head would be a bonus (remember the kids?)

Now the Hunky Dory or the Vee-Dory seem good for that. Or am I totally of the mark?

No, your not off the mark at all. The Dory is very stable. Something easy to get in would be a deck boat or even better a pontoon boat. The flat bottom Dory is all that you said, easy to build and little power is needed to make decent speed, and flat bottom also carries weight well.
I would go for the Dory, or a deck boat for easy getting into, or a Pontoon boat with a head and its big deck.

Is the V nosed dory really that different from the Hunky Dory? We do have strong waves sometimes but nothing major.

Just wondering if the V type for my region.. I live near the great in ontario. And I really don't plan going 2-3 hours from shore

I had a Dory type skiff in Subic Bsy. Knowing you want to go out in the Gteat Lakes, I would opt for the V-Dory myself. Just my 2 cents.

I would vote for this one http://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=345

I think it is also the latest design from Glen-L.