I’m long overdue for an update on the Vermont dory. And it’s an embarrassing oversight, I might add, since Tony lavished much love on this little rowboat to ensure that it’s ready for launch as soon as the seasons shift. As of the beginning of January, the dory is winterized and launch-ready.
I detect a question: why ready the rowing dory if we’re still in the middle of winter?

Well, let’s start by breaking the off-season work into distinct stages, winterization and spring launch preparation.
Winterization, in this case, amounts to autumn haul-out and storage. Once the season is over, I don’t want this lovely vessel left lakeside for the elements to abuse. Lake Champlain is a beautiful but potentially inhospitable environment in winter and early spring for a Kevlar skinned rowing skiff finished in cherry woodwork and brass brightwork that would cause a glamorous yacht (or a designer kitchen) blush with envy.
Here’s what the process looks like. 
Autumn Haul & Store:
- Transport boat, oars, boat stands, and boat cover from waterfront to area near carriage barn.
- Clean cover (both sides) with mild detergent.
- Hang cover to dry in sun (both sides).
- Clean boat (interior and exterior).
- Dry boat (sun, breeze, and time).
- Move boat inside carriage barn for storage.
- Attach cover to prevent dust from collecting inside dory.
- Store upright in stands.
This autumn hauling and storage is the bare minimum, in my opinion. It’s adequate and a busy autumn or winter, but better by far is preparing for spring launch now when there’s a relative lull in the day-to-day punchlist that will soon swell as winter gives away to spring. 
Fortunately, this year Tony was able to segue directly from dory winterization to re-oiling. He’s identified a repair that will be needed where part of one seat is beginning to come apart. But once that is complete, it will simply be a matter of cleaning off any dust in the spring, transporting the dory down to the waterfront, and launching. it feels good to need to be ahead of schedule!
Here’s what the full spring lunch list looks like. 
Spring Pre-Launch:
- Clean cover (both sides) with mild detergent.
- Hang cover to dry in sun (both sides).
- Clean boat (interior and exterior).
- Dry boat (2-3 days in barn for wood components to dry).
- Tape off cherry wood trim with painter’s tape.
- Remove floorboards, seats, and other parts capable of being disconnected, and lay out on a drop cloth.
- Apply a single oil coat to all wood components. (Be sure to wipe off after 10-15 minutes to avoid stickiness, etc. from any excess oil on the surface of the wood.)
- Dispose of used rags in a bucket of water (to ensure no fire risk).
- Dry boat (2-3 days in carriage barn for wood components to dry).
- Reassemble boat for use.
- Transport boat, oars, stands, and cover to waterfront.
- Store on beach in stands.
- Attach cover to prevent rain from entering dory.
Next week Justin Martin from Adirondack Guide Boat will be coming to Rosslyn to deliver a surprise (or two) and to take a look at the small repair. Once we cross that off the list and we fair to say that the dory is 100% winterized and launch-ready.
Thank you, Tony!
What do you think?