Howdy Group,

New here, but kayaking many years with my Heritage SeaDart XL (15 ft f/glass from the mid 90s).

A buddy of mine acquired a Dirigo a few weeks ago and I read (here) all about folks fondness for their Dirigo 17s.

This Dirigo matches the description of the 17s but is approx. 10.5 feet; has 'DIRIGO' logo, riveted teak rail, no footpegs or rudder, and a hand-etched serial number (D1G10205K686 ? the '1's might be 'I's) on the stern.

Can anyone shed some light on this boat ? Can the date/year of manufacture be determined from the serial number ?

Thanks and best regards, Andrew
East Quogue, NY

Andrew, your buddy has a nice find. Dirigo Boatworks, of Blue Hill, Maine, also introduced a shorter boat around the same time as they launched the Dirigo 17. To my knowledge, very few were made and sold, and your friend has one of them. 1986 would be the year of manufacture, from the serial number. By way of comparison, Epic makes a short rudderless boat like your friend's little Dirigo, the GPX, in additon to their longer, ruddered 16X and 18X. I myself have never seen the smaller Dirigo in the flesh, just photos. It MAY have been called "Little Dipper", if memory serves.

Thanks Strange, that's very interesting, and it is a cute little boat. My buddy is rehabbing it for his girlfriend.

Best regards, Andrew

If anyone is still interested the Dipper was based on a Rushton design, a Wee Lassie. I would love to find one for sale, also the 17.