Since 1986, I've owned a 1984-vintage Dirigo 17 sea kayak. This unusual boat was made in Blue Hill ME by Dirigo Boatworks, a tiny shop begun by Elliott Speer and Peter Chase. I do not believe they had any previous experience with sea kayak design, but instead fashioned the boat based on a combination of canoe and melonseed elements modified to fit their idea of what might work as a sea kayak. The result was a 17-foot, 26 or 27-inch beam boat, shallow-vee hull, large cockpit, and pleasing lines. Heavy fiberglass layup, with attractive wood rails accentuating the boat's sheer, and a handsome wood cockpit coaming. I bought the boat as a distressed sale, and because I really liked the way it looked. The rudder was unique, in being operated by one foot only, working a custom pedal extension affixed to one of the Yakima footrests and working against a bungee cord. I quickly decided that this was a bad idea and got Dirigo to fashion a mirror-image pedal for the other footrest, and re-rigged the boat for two-footed operation. The boat had difficulty in straight-line tracking with the rudder up, so I've added both a stern and a bow skeg over the years so that my rudder use is strictly optional now. Despite its various flaws and idiosyncracies, I continue to enjoy my boat's reliability in severe conditions, and its pleasing overall appearance.

Dirigo never sold many boats, and Speer and Chase sold out to Mike Wigglesworth somewhere in the midwest, who continued with the design for some further years, before discontinuing the marque. (NOT to be confused with any of the current crop of "Dirigo" rec boats.) I've only twice encountered anyone who has ever heard of the boat, and have always been curious if there is anyone out there who shares a past with these boats? I continue to paddle mine, strictly as a winter/cold-water boat, and switch to my CLC Patuxent 17 (another extinct model) for the warmer-water seasons. Any other Dirigo 17 stories out there?

I have a Dirigo 17. I just purchased it from a former NY resident who now lives in Nova Scotia, Canada.It has the two-foot rudder controls.I would love to hear more about them.I am at mbwheaton@eastlink.ca.I live in St.Croix, Nova Scotia,Canada.

Hi there, D17! Welcome to the Dirigo 17 Owners' Club--so far it's just you and me. What year is your boat? You can tell by looking at the code etched onto the boat's stern (mine is on the starboard side). I don't know exactly when Speer and Chase sold the business to Mike Wigglesworth, so, unless your boat has an early date, it might have been made either in Blue Hill, Maine or in the midwest US. I've found virtually nothing on the internet when I punch in Dirigo 17, so what I've mentioned in my previous post will likely be all there is to know unless someone else out there can contribute further info.

I can tell you that, without a skeg, I found the boat absolutely would not glide forward in a straight line with the rudder up--the kayak would do a graceful 180 and swap bow for stern. As I didn't want to paddle any kayak that depended on having the rudder deployed at all times, I added a skeg to the stern. And as the bow does not have a good grip on the water and can be easily blown off when paddling an angle into a headwind, I also later added the bow skeg. Some may say, with defects like those, why keep such a boat? I did replace the Dirigo as my primary kayak with my CLC Patuxent 17, but have retained the Dirigo as my cold-water, winter, drysuit-season craft, due to its extraordinary stability. I paddle solo most of the time, winter included, and prefer the Dirigo so as to increase my margin of safety on ultra-cold water. And I make sure to stay well within my personal safety envelope. No heroics for me on the water, especially in winter.

Hello-I too own a Dirigo 17! I'm on my 2nd one. My 1st was destroyed by the U.S.Coast Guard.(Long story.) I only broke two ribs. The one I presently own is on its 2nd (refiberglassed) bottom. The 1st took me from R.I. to Block I. then to Montauk L.I.N.Y. and around it (L.I.) and back to my then home of Newport R.I..
While working on a 105' charter fishing boat out of San Diego CA. the owner of the boat had no problem with me keeping my kayak on top of the wheelhouse for the 3 yrs. I was onboard . It had been places no other Dirigo17 has ever been. The wildest was probably Clipperton Atoll or maybe the Revillagegidos I..After that I lived in coastal WA. for 2yrs. so I paddled around the San Juans a little. Now my second boat takes me around the Adirondacks , Lk. Champlain,St. Lawrence R.+Seaway,and occasionally back to where it all began in S.New England and Eastern L.I.. I'm leaving out places I forgot and some I'm trying to forget.
Quite simply I love my kayak and would like to join the prestigious Dirigo17 Yacht Club.
All the best, Bill Stahl

Bill, Welcome to the Club! In fact, with your history in the boat, you're now the President. My Dirigo, the White Whale, has only been as far afield from New Jersey as the Norwalk Islands in Long Island Sound, the Tappan Zee, and upper reaches of Chesapeake Bay. Please do fill us in with more detail both on your boat(s) and on your adventures in them, as well as why you like them. I look forward to more Dirigo dialogue, and maybe we'll be able to attract other members and stories.

Wow- Sorry about the late reply. As Pres. I've been busy. I've been busy duck hunting (in the Dirigo of course). Its also an amazing layout\duckboat . I'm looking for a used one lately with only one found so far.(Fla. , too far)
I'm not really sure why I love my boat so much. I'm a large hombre (6'2'',230-40) and feel comfortable in its lg. cockpit. The capacity in the aft compartment is nice also.
It easily holds a dozen decoys or a weeks worth camping gear. I can slide down and
''layout'' for ducks also.(covered in grass or seaweed of course) But one of my favorite things is being able to get out in adverse weather conditions when most people just head home. I've been out in some big questionable stuff with no problem.
Gotta go for now-Bill

I guess membership is open to me with my 1987 Dirigo kayak - has kevlar hull, fiberglass deck, and Mahogany? coaming

I am interested in how both the bow skegs and stern skegs were constructed - my rudder assembly is terrible! - has toe pieces attached to foot braces - lines at top of each toe piece thru deck behind cockpit (each side) around grooved disk to which rudder is mounted - flies high when out of water, pulls down by port line cleated just behind cockpit.

I've paddled in Casco Bay Maine - Inland quiet water in Maine, Cape Cod, and Connecticut, Long Island Sound off Connecticut, Fisher's Island Sound, winter as well as other seasons - love the stability.

Lee, welcome to the club! How long have you had your Dirigo, and what color(s) is it? I agree that the rudder does not equal modern standards in design or utility, but Dirigo was on to something when they devised the toe-operated rudder pedals affixed to the Yakima footrests, and I think other rudder systems are now using that same idea--too many people complain about the squashy, non-rigid feel of sliding footrests/rudder controls. you really need to have your feet well-anchored on immovable, rigid footrests in order to paddle efficiently and securely, and the Dirigo offered just that.

I affixed my bow and stern skegs permanently onto the hull by just sanding the gelcoat to roughen it and then gluing on the skegs with thickened epoxy, and using more epoxy to fair-in the angles. The rear skeg is quarter-inch plywood, the bow skeg is oak. The result is not beautiful, but I care only for strength and utility.

Later, I'll tell some tales about some of my early adventures in my Dirigo (nothing dramatic!)

Howdy guys- For what its worth I haven't had my rudder in use for 10yrs.
(anchorless+rudderless is my motto in life)
All the best- Bill

Bill, when you get a chance, it would be great if you could tell us more about your various adventures in your Dirigos. I'd like to read more about how you lost your first boat, and, for sure, about your trips in the Block Island/Long Island area.

My own trips have been pretty quiet, but my first trip out I remember well. In looking back at my log, I see that I acquired my Dirigo in summer 1985, and first went out in September with 4 others to circle Little Beach on the Jersey shore. We exited onto the ocean via Little Egg Inlet, paddled south to Brigantine Inlet, then played there a while. Heading more offshore, we ran into breakers over a bar, and 3 paddlers went over and came out of their boats. No problem, as the water was bathtub-warm, and the 2 of us remaining upright got everyone else back into their boats quickly. We headed back toward Little Egg Inlet, as the weather started to look menacing to the west. Sure enough, just before reaching the inlet, a nasty squall line raced through, with black clouds, high winds, rain, and lightning! We were a couple hundred yards out, and raced for the beach. We tied our kayaks together and huddled in the dunes, hoping for the best, as the winds became really strong and lightning was everywhere. After the squall passed, we re-entered the inlet and paddled past the old abandoned fishmeal-processing factory that sits on an island in Great Bay. The lightning had struck the old rotting wharf, setting it on fire, and the Coast Guard had a Zodiac racing around trying to figure out what was going on. Nothing much they could, or needed, to do. Anyway, we made it back to the launch site OK, and agreed that it had been a relatively busy and exciting trip.

Hey guys, I am on my way to go buy a 17' Dirigo, and have been interested in your posts about them. I really like the idea it is a vintage kayak and has so many quarky features. I am buying this one (which appears to be in real good shape) for $450.00. Hopefully soon I can posts some good adventures (with no broken ribs) to the site

Congratulations, Bill!! Tell us all about your new boat when you get a chance. The club has gained another member--Dirigo rules!

Here's another quirk I've dealt with over the past years--always had trouble with the sprayskirt not holding onto the cockpit coaming lip tightly enough. The coaming lip was just too narrow and didn't offer enough purchase, so I got some 4 mm plywood and cut 2 pieces approx. 7/8th inch wide and 20 inches long, curved to match the curvature of the sides of the coaming. These I epoxied right under the existing coaming lip., on either side of the cockpit. The sprayskirt always held tightly at the fore and aft ends of the cockpit--it was at the sides that it always wanted to pop off. The two added strips widened the coaming perfectly and the sprayskirt now holds securely. I have a Snapdragon, with nylon tunnel and neoprene deck. Maybe later versions of the boat corrected this problem, but that's how I fixed mine.

I bought the Dirigo, and am pretty excited about getting it on the water. It is missing the cover for the front hatch, which I would assume would be nearly impossible to find. I am hoping to find one of the same dimension that is used on another brand. Also I can not find the serial numbers you refer to on the bow. Quick further question...would it be blasphemy to repaint it to another color than a dull white? Also, there is no skeg or rudder on the boat, and has what appears to be mast base for a sail on the bow?? The foot pedals are stationary (haven't tried to adjust them), and there is a tube that runs out a "porthole" behind the kayakers right back area. I figure that would be where the cable would come out for the rudder? Thanks

Congratulations Bill! Just remember that you've not bought the "perfect" boat, but instead one with a lot of character.

I suppose that your boat has the standard Becton hatch at the bow; if so, you can probably get another hatch cover via West Marine or somebody like that, though you may have to buy the whole hatch assembly. The porthole and tube undoubtedly led from the rudder pedal once attached to the right-side Yakima footrest, to the now-gone rudder. There should be a socket at the stern where the rudder was once inserted. It might be a fine idea to re-equip the boat with a modern rudder. Regarding painting the boat, I don't see why you couldn't, but I'm no expert on painting fiberglass boats. The boat identification number and date of manufacture should be scribed onto the stern.

Have a blast getting your Dirigo into shape for the coming season. I envy your opportunity to repair/upgrade/modify the boat, starting from scratch. Let us know how it goes.

My friend who is a mini speed boat racer has told me that there is a way to paint them that is kind of unique. We have decided to try it on this kayak to see how it works before he messes his expensive boat up if it doesn't work. You take automotive paint, hardner etc. and roll it on with a roller, then come back and smooth it out with a foam brush. I know you probably think I am nuts, but Formby's works great for a total screw up. If you are aware of this painting technique let me know. I will post the results when I get it done. Apparently it is the rage on speed boaters forums, if it works it would make short work of a bunch of little projects. I plan to paint the top midnight blue and the bottom Tim Chance racing green (my friend Tim has named it after himself), and frankly it sounds ugly but it comes out looking pretty cool. I also have a fishing kayak, a folbot(that I am building off a template from an antique one, tandem), a white water yak and 4 other long boats. I have a Dagger, Sirocco, Skye, and some other thing we call the lemon. The Skye is my favorite. I guess boat fever has me since I had never been in one before January.

Bill, if you've acquired these 6 or 7 boats since January, you might want to see a specialist; this could become a serious habit!

This technique is used with marine and other paints and works quite well. The brush strokes used should be made vertically to reduce the tendency of the paint to sag at the marks left by a brush making horizontal strokes. With vertical brush strokes as the paint flows out the marks disappear and there is no place for a sag to begin.

It is important to keep your wet edge moving. If you wait till you've rolled the entire boat to come back with the brush the paint will be too stiff. In doing boat bottoms this technique is done by two people; one rolling and one following right behind making light brush strokes.

Thank you for the tips if it ever quits raining I will get to it

WOW- I'm very jealous of your find!
Go mr. bill! I've painted my Dirigos many times, many colors. (Mostly camo.)
Surface prep is the key. An even, fine sanding and proper "wipe down" helps me everytime. I wash it first with a hose, then wipe her down with acetone or thinner.
Painting right away is also important so you don't get dust or debris in the paint.
Its a good warm day project if you don't have an indoor shop or whatever.
I reglassed mine one winter in my living room and then painted it there too when I was single. If you hear of any other Dirigos let me know. Oh yeah, I used an epoxy based spray paint originally made for metal that works great. Let me know if want any. While your at west marine ask the people there, but be careful you might get
the new guy from k-mart.
Good luck mr. bill and watch out for sluggo!
All the best- Bilnik

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I was looking at the boat today and realized that at some point in time someone had taken the top off of the kayak and put it back on. The ovelap is lined with sheet meal screws and the drilled holes that apparently were the origional holes were filled in with caulk of some sort. Is this common, or did they do it to facilitate converting the foot pedals to stationary? There also is no indication of ever having a skeg or rudder on it. Strange, why would someone go through the trouble to take the top half off? Also would any one be interested in using the template (wood pieces) to make your own replica antique Folbot? I saved all the pieces and it would be fun and relatively easy to build your own. I cut out the new pieces and used PVC as the side ribs (I don't know why) and am looking for a nice stretch material to wrap it in. I have found shower liner rubber for about $100 I might use. It needs to be durable to handle Missouri streams.

Hey mr bill- It sounds like somebody "re-bedded" the seal for the hull/deck seam.
It originally was sealed with clear silicone and fastened with aluminium rivits. (My 2 boats anyway) I've been tempted to do the same in the past to make a mold. Never got that into it. I'm paddling around some open water I found on Lk. Champlain this week. 1st time out since Jan. duckhunting, east end Long Island, N.Y..
All the best- Bilnik

The girl fiend and I have gotten into kayaking because we are supposed to do a month long kayaking adventure in S.E. Alaska in July. We have weathered the Missouri winter going out if the sun comes out for practice, and have taken a class at the community college. We are considering doing a trip to the Great Lakes for a week or so beforehand to experience larger bodies of water before plunging head first (OOhh nOO) in a potentially dangerous situation (pardon the pun). Anyone interested in meeting us up in that area to take a jaunt around one of the Great Lakes? Say first or second week of June? Also, input from those that have done the alaska trip would be appreciated. Sorry it off topic, but I do not as of now think I will be taking the Dirigo, unless someone recommends it over a poly craft. Thanks Mr Bill

Mr. Bill, all I can tell you is that bilnik was right: Dirigo fastened the deck to the hull of the earlier Dirigos with clear silicone and aluminum rivets. This method leaked along the rivets (still does on my boat) and when I wrote to Dirigo about it, they said that they were converting to stainless steel nuts & bolts. They said that they'd upgrade my boat if I shipped it back to them, but I said thanks but no thanks. This would have had nothing to do with altering the rudder pedals.

By the way, I did see a photo of a Dirigo 17 taken no later than 1984 that was without a rudder. Did you ever get a chance to check your boat's serial number for its date of manufacture?

Don't get too used to the Dirigo's extraordinary stability, if you're going to be paddling some other, narrower boat on vacation. There will be a BIG difference with a narrower boat.

Howdy- Just got back from 1st quick paddle down on L. Champlain. Too windy to do what I wanted to do but I got in a couple miles in a big cove out of the weather. It felt good. Lots of migratory waterfowl.(Sounds better than ducks+geese). And one Bald Eagle.
Hey mr bill- If I was driving to S.E. AK. I'd bring the Dirigo17 for gear carrying capacity+stability. Otherwise, If I wasn't driving, I'd rent something up there stable.
Definetly go to the Great Lakes or some big water before you go to AK.. I've never been to that part of AK yet, but thats the place to kayak.
Good Luck- Bilnik

Mikekayak

Could the paint be sprayed on? Or is using the roller and brush the best way to get a good finish?

Hello- I didn't post about the roller/brush-on method but I've done it on yachts years ago. That would be the best way if done right. I personally spray mine yearly,
but I'm looking to camo mine for hunting.
Later- Bill

Hey folks, after 50 days straight of rain in the midwest, I finally got a chance to take my Dirigo out on its maiden voyage (for me). We paddled a lake in Illinois, with all different kinds of conditions, placid, wind, wakes. I found the boat to be extremely stable, I like the big cockpit, and the way it follows your lead. Thats the good news...not a big fan of having to fight it to go straight on calm water, so I see adding a "custom made" skeg on the stern when I paint it and repair the leak. This boat is a good feeling ride, I was able to keep up with the other kayakers, and it may be a contender for my Alaskan trip (after modification). When is the Dirigo kayak club convention coming up, Pres?

Bill, glad to see you've gotten out on the water. How did you deal with the missing hatch cover problem? And did you acquire a sprayskirt along with the boat?

I went without both. It was warm enough, and I like to fish, but I did have to suck a lot of water out because of the leak. I have search to no avail, for the serial number on the craft. There appears to be none. Maybe it is inside?
I feel like it is closer to a racing canoe becasue of its stability and handling. I will be using it to start out some newbies I will be training soon.

Bill, a crazy idea occurs to me--you might conceivably have the original, first, prototype Dirigo 17. That might explain the absence of a rudder or even a fitting for a rudder, the absence of a serial number, and maybe the effort to redo the way the deck was attached to the hull. The early photo I referred to previously of a rudderless Dirigo (white or off-white) could well have shown the first boat, being test-paddled by somebody--there is no attribution or caption, but I'll try to find out more.

Thats a pretty cool potential! Why would it be in MIssouri though? I will wait to do any mods to it until you come back with your research. If you want you can e-mail me at makeoffer2003@yahoo.com, and I will forward pictures to you. Or if you want to explain to me how it is done, i will post a series of them to this site. The top has a logo Dirigo in front of the cockpit behind the front cover. It is a sticker, with the base of the R coming down and underlining the er on Dirigo. Maybe it isn't even one at all and I should be banished from the secret Dirigo society?

I mean the igo not the er. Sorry.

Howdy- If I'm the pres. of the Dirigo Dudes I propose the convention to be held somewhere in the S.Pacific. If we cant swing that I can show you some amazing paddles in the Adirondacks. I'm paddling Pamlico Sound this week around Hatteras I.
Going home Sat. to thawing lakes.
As to mr.bill's boat, maybe try the names of the original builders in Blue Hill, Me. and give them a call. (call info.)??? They build alot of yachts in that area, maybe they're still around. I'd like to know who has the molds?
If you paddle your Dirigo enough you'll get used to keeping her on course without a rudder. You kinda have to think 3or4 paddle strokes ahead of where you want to be heading. Does that make sense?- Bill Stahl

Bill, after looking at some pix of mr. bill's boat, it's definitely a Dirigo 17, but definitely not an early one. Probably was one of those made in the Midwest by Mike Wigglesworth (who I presume got the molds from Elliott Speer and Peter Chase, the Blue Hill makers), and that's why it ended up in Missouri.

Have a great time down on The Banks! and maybe we will have to have a Dirigo reunion somewhere, someday.

I am probably the most centrally located Dirigo owner, so I would be happy to host a Dirigo reunion. We have some beautiful side areas off the Mississippi River to do some day paddles. The St Louis Kayak and Canoe club does something nearly every day, so they would be glad to let us ride in. I live two miles from the Arch so it would be a cool shot under the Arch (at least until the rangers run us off), we could hop in the river right there? Just a thought, however, I will probably be gone from June 25th through July 30th. I would be happy to supply accomodations for at least 6, and I have friends with carriage houses that could accomodate some more.

I am going to add a skeg on my Dirigo, and am curious as to how ?deep? to make it. It will be made of oak and will be permanent. Also, one of you mentioned a fore and aft skeg. Should I go ahead and do both ends while I am at it and before I paint it? Also, if i do the front, approximately how far back shoud it go? I have put another layer of fiberglass down through the center to give it an extra layer of grindoff ability. Any suggestions before the finish coat goes on? Thanks

Got the Dirigo looking pretty sharp, the wood cowl came out beautiful! If someone can help guide me I would like to post some photos. I built a skeg on the rear and it is amazing what a difference it has made. Next is a rudder, anyone with input on a homemade system or something like the kits I have read about where they supply the foot pads and cable and I build the carbon fiber rudder?

If the boat still has the Yakima footrests that were standard on Dirigos, you need to get some aluminum plate 1/8th inch thick. Cut two identical pieces as trapezoids. Pieces will be 2 inches wide, with parallel sides. Each piece will have one squared-off end; the other end will be at an angle, because one side will be 3 and 5/8 long and the other side will be 4 and 3/8 long. Smooth off and round-off the corners so they're not sharp. Drill a hole for nylon cord (the rudder cords)on the squared-off end of each of the two aluminum plates, over toward the 3 and 5/8 inch side. Get some stiff, springy rubber, like maybe the thin sidewall of an old tire, and cut out rectangles maybe 2 and 1/4 inches by 1 and 1/2 inches. Drill holes in the slanted end of each plate, and attach each plate with stainless nuts and bolts to a piece of rubber, then attach the rubber by drilling holes in the Yakima footrest and fastening with stainless nuts and bolts. There should only be a little space between the footrest pedal and the plate, maybe 1/8 inch. The rubber joint between the plate and the footrest should be on the side away from where your foot will be, so it should be on the side facing the bow. So you have flexible, moveable extensions to the Yakima footrests that you can work with the toes of your shoes or booties. The added plates should stick up vertically from each footrest, with the 4 and 3/8 sides toward the center of the boat and should be mirror-images of each other. That's how Dirigo did it.

I've always used Perception rudders as add-ons to my boats, and they've worked just fine. Run nylon cords from the rudder forward to the holes in the plates, and tie them in place at the proper length. When you're not turning the rudder, the springy rubber joint will keep the rudder in a neutral, centered position. When you push on one rudder pedal, the other will move in the opposite direction. Works like a charm. But you'll have to figure out how to attach the rudder to the boat.

Thank you for your input on the rudders. I am thinking about buying a kit from http://www.oneoceankayaks.com are you familiar with them, and if not could you give it a look and give me your thoughts? It looks like they would be relatively simple to install and making the carbon fiber blade is not too daunting. Also, do you know how to post photos on this site?

Sorry, Mr. B, but I don't know how to post photos here (computer illiterate). I did look at the rudder website, but can offer no guidance at all. Too much work for me; I'd just get a Perception rudder and figure out how to mount it. Mine has been on my kayak for 7 years now, and there is no sign of deterioration of any kind. Regarding rudder cables--I have stainless steel cables on my wooden kayak, and black woven/braided nylon(?) cords on my Dirigo. Maybe they're not nylon, 'cause they're not stretchy--you don't want stretchy for rudder cables.

with any luck, i will be able to request membership in the club by this weekend. i am planning on picking up a 1980 dirigo 17' that seems to be in wonderful shape....i have tried to post pictures here, but the forum will not allow it....i'll keep everyone posted.
do you guys prefer a trailer over roof-racks? the trailer is still an option.

thanks !!

Welcome Frank--good to have you on board. Are you sure your Dirigo is a 1980? Seems a little early--you might check the serial number & date if it's inscribed on the starboard stern. I've always car-topped my boats, so I can't say whether a trailer would work out better, but it probably adds more to worry about while driving or parking. What color is the boat?

Congrats, future fellow Dirigo owner. The trailer works better for me because of the unusually large cowl around the cockpit. I took mine out this weekend with the canoe and Kayak club, and had a bunch of people standing around looking at it scratching thier heads and chins, saying "what the hell is that?"

I bought a 5 X 8 flatbed utility trailer to haul my kayaks on. I built wooden bunks that allow me to carry the boats on edge, which I believe is the best possible way, since it puts the least amount of strain on the stiffest cross section of the boat.

A bonus is that I can use the trailer for a lot of other chores by just removing the bunks and installing sideboards. I did a lot of looking before I settled on an Iron Eagle trailer. It has a 3500 lb. capacity, so the work it can do is fairly unlimited.

All that said, I still haul my rec. kayak in my Tacoma's bed if that is the boat of the day. It sticks out quite a ways, but it's legal with a red flag.

The trailer can haul sea kayaks of any length. Mine is a seventeen footer, but I'm thinking about adding a nineteen footer one of these days.

Our ten foot trailer with an extended neck worked great on a 5300 mile trek to and from the ferry to take us to Alaska. I would only go with 3200 lb capacity and large 14-15" wheels for a long trip such as that. The Dirigo survived and did well on the Alaska trip. 4 foot waves handled no problems!

Mr. Bill, congratulations on the successful trip to Alaska & back! I'm glad the Dirigo got a chance to see more of the world and to amaze the locals.

I've sent you a Private Message also.

Carl

Wow, Mr. Bill!
I've always wanted to bring my Dirigo17 to AK. That must have been great.
Where did you go in AK?

Hey Frank, Did you buy the boat??
If not, where is it??

Bill

Went to Ketchican, and went about 75 miles around the island. Had an awesome time. We managed 4 ft waves very well and wondered...how much more can these kayaks handle and still remain so stable? I am sorry to report the Dirigo was the slowest of the group, but its stablility came in handy when being drug around by a 12lb Salmon and a 60+ lb Halibut! My friend caught the Halibut, and I had to drag him and the fish into shore to land it! The barnacles were brutal on the boats, but the plastic kayaks had the worst wear. I was glad I put a layer of fiberglass down the bottom, because a lot of the center wore off.

Also, the water taxi people that dropped us off said the only fleet kayaks they used to use were Dirigos. Now they only use Siroccos(fiberglass model, Current Design).

Sounds like you had a good time! That big Halibut story is cool! I got towed across Narragansett Bay, R.I. by a 32lb. Striped Bass one night, I know the feeling.
I've never been to S.E. AK. yet. I guide on the Aleutian Peninsula every Sept./Oct..
Its a wasteland compared to S.E. AK., but I like it.
I wonder what happened to the Dirigo fleet up there? I can only imagine.
I've been looking at Delta 18.5 kayak. (Big cockpit) If I can't find another Dirigo17 in good condition in the next year or so I think I'm getting one.
All the best- Bill Stahl

I believe that if you were to snoop around Ketchikan, you could find your Dirigo you are looking for. Usually everything I own is always for sale,but I would be hard pressed to sell my Dirigo. The thought of wrestling myself in and out of a standard cockpit,and doing as much fishing as I do in mine, where would I find another roomy space for my fishing gear. I would like to go again next year in the beginning of June to pan for some more gold, maybe further North around Glacier Bay? Anybody want to go? We could stop in Ketchican on the way to hunt Dirigo's? I want to go in early June because the bears aren't starving yet having just waking from hibernation, and the Salmon haven't started running yet so you would have little competition with the bears at the stream bases.
All the best in kayaking,fishing,and panning! Mr.Bill

A friend took my Dirigo down the Missouri River for a day and wants one..anyone have a good or rebuildable one for sale?

Hey Guys- Just got back from 2 mo. guiding in AK.
We gotta find the molds for the Dirigo 17!!
I know a lot of duck hunters/fisherman who would buy them.
Until then, I'm still using mine till it sinks.
Then I'm buying a Delta 18.5. (Maybe sooner!)
Bilnik

After the recent cold wave here in New Jersey, I've put away the Patuxent 17 that I paddle Spring/Summer/Fall, and gotten the old Dirigo, "The White Whale", out of the garage, ready for the Winter paddling season. The drysuit is ready to go, also. Paddle On!

I am considering making a mold of my Dirigo over the winter to make some duplicates. A formidable task I am sure, but do you really think there is market for them? Every time I go out with the local kayak club it creates a lot of questions. Also, the cowl would really be hard to duplicate.

I thought about that myself. Thats as far as I got. It ain't easy. Cool project though, if you have the time, space, and patients to do it right. I don't have any of that right now.
As far as the marketable question goes, that all depends on who sees it.
Big duckhunters and fisherman would enjoy them. Think olive drab. No wood.
I'd buy one.
Bilnik

I have the time, space and patience, persistence and craftsmanship quality are my biggest obstacle. Plus my boat is beat to hell, so it would be a challenge to get a nice smooth mold off of it. Marketablility wise I think that a blurb in Sea Kayaker would be all you would need to get the word out. I still habe this guy trying to talk me into selling mine, so I am looking for another.

Gary, you should try to find out about whether the original molds still exist. The last Dirigos were made somewhere in your neck of the woods (Iowa, maybe? Missouri?), as I remember, by a guy named Wigglesworth (I think) who had a pre-existing fiberglass business of some kind, and who wanted to branch out. So he got the molds from the original Dirigo people in Blue Hill, Maine. I've tried getting something via a Google search, but no luck. The final photos used in Dirigo ads showed Wigglesworth paddling along what could easily be a Missouri river shoreline.

GOOD thinking, finding people and things like that is right up my alley. I will let you know if and when I find him.

Wow- It says a little over 10,000 people looked at our topic here.
The guys in Blue Hill Me. might still be there. I forgot there names. I met them in the 80's when I bought my first one at the Newport RI Small Boat Show.
Let me know what you find. Its duck season, I'm in mine daily for almost another month. Found some cool islands in the St. Lawrence R. this week. Paddled right up to a Snowy Owl the other day.
Bilnik

The Blue Hill, Maine guys were Elliott Speer and Peter Chase. I'm trying to get a lead on the last address of Dirigo (from an old Sea Kayaker Magazine Dirigo ad, from a friend's collection of old SKs).

Out on Barnegat Bay here in Jersey today for the third time this season in the White Whale, about 17 nautical miles total for the day. Boat still looks pretty sharp, and, if I don't push the speed, I can still paddle it all day.

Good paddle!
I've been doing 2 to 10 miles a day almost every day for the past 2 weeks.
Duck season is in full swing up here in N. N.Y.. Went 2 miles back in secret swamp this am for 5 G.W. Teal. Tasty little birds. Had to hump the kayak over 4 beaver dams.
I remember those guys from Maine. I wish I could remember the guys name I bought my 1st one from. He was an ironworker from the New Bedford MA. area that sold Dirigo17s on the side. He had a mess of them.
Bilnik

On the inside of my back hatch cover is a disclaimer sticker that says if you want to contact the manufacturer, they were in Blue Hill, Maine. The sticker lists a phone number of 207-374-2877. I have tried the number before with no answer. I also left a message with John Wigglesworth in Ohio, an apparently highly acclaimed kayaker who is loosely affiliated with the fiberglass business, and have had no return phone call to date. I have not found Mike Wigglesworth yet. I also spoke to the outfitters in Alaska that used them as a fleet, and they are trying to remember what happened to thiers, and where they got them. Gary

Just did another Google search for "Dirigo 17 sea kayak", and came up with just two legit references--our own stuff here, and a year-old ad from somebody in Florida wanting to sell their Dirigo 17: http://www.clubkayak.com/greenwave/default.asp?message=1109 I think I remember trying these people a while ago (email) and getting no reply, but the boat as they describe it seems to be in good condition. They wanted $1200!

Hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving. I was hoping to go out on Sunday to watch for seals in Little Egg Inlet here in Jersey, but the forecast is 100% rain, and east (onshore) winds gusting to 30 knots. Not my cup of tea.

Gary, I hope your research finally pays off. Maybe the guy I'm thinking of was named John Wigglesworth, and not Mike.

Carl

I called that guy in Fla., too far for me. I was just getting over not being able to get it last year.
Heading up to St Lawrence River tomorrow. Haven't been out since Turkey Day am.
Gettin it while I can until the ice moves in. Going to R.I. in Jan. for late season Eider hunt.
Bill Stahl

We are planning a Key Largo to Key West kayak trip in July, maybe I could bring it back up to Missouri if that would help on the distance? I left a message for my friend who wants one but haven't heard back from him. Sounds a little pricey, but may buy it anyway, if it is still available. Gary

I wonder if he still has it. I'd grab it if I were you. Over 11,000 views and nothing on the molds or used boats! I've been paddling mine for the past two days around the St. Lawrence R. near Massena NY.. Some great islands to explore plus lots of ducks for the freezer. Saw some Tundra Swans and a Bald Eagle today.
Bilnik

If any one is interested, I found a batch of 13 canoe fiberglass molds for $100 each on Craigslist in Carbondale, Illinois. I was thinking about taking my Dirigo down there (about 2 hrs from home) and seeing if I could set the bottom in one and have the mold for a bottom half? Thoughts?

It wouldn't be a Dirigo.

Gary, I don't think the canoe molds will work as a Dirigo hull mold. While I guess that the original Dirigo was conceived using canoe and melonseed ideas, the freeboard of the Dirigo hull is way less than that of a canoe. The canoe would work only if it was cut way down.

I wish some of our early contributors who posted that they also had Dirigos would also let us know what they've been up to lately. D17 and Lee P, where are you? I'm trying to get out on the water once a week, but it's been really windy lately.

Hey mr. bill- Good luck but I have my doubts also. I don't think cutting it down a lot would get a dirigo hull; too wide fore+aft. Thats most canoes anyway. But go for it and let us know how it works.

Went paddling Mon/Tues this week in snow/ice storms on St Lawrence R.
Lots of ducks! Needless to say, I had it all to myself.

New baby son due any day. I might be done paddling for a little while.

bilnik

Good luck on the future kayaker!
We went to look at the canoe molds today and are going to buy them. My partner on this is an outfitter on a local river who needs another 20. We should be manufacturing after the first of the year. I am kind of excited because of the possibilities of producing a low cost fiberglass canoe, sold only through channels such as Craigslist or any other free forum. (There is no intent on advertising, sorry if misconstrued as such). My hope, is to learn how to dupicate the Dirigo after a while, and maybe produce them if research shows that it would not be an infringement on a patent.
We paddled Sunday on the Gasconade, a local river for 14 miles, scared a flock of about 50 turkeys (not exaggerating), watched a Falcon dive bomb and try to eat a wood pecker, and about 5 Bald Eagles. Apparently, Bald Eagles are becoming more populated in our area, because we see them every time we go out to float now. One thing we don't understand is why the map says the float is a 9 mile, but the GPS says 13.8? We have this discrepency every time and some times it is shorter, other times longer.

Mr. Bill- You'll be a pro after 20 canoes.
Let us know what type of canoes they are. I just bought a wenonah seneca 19' 6" for guiding next summer.

I've got an idea for a different deck on the D17 if that would help.
That and a skeg on the hull might make it ok, I don't know anything about that stuff though.
bilnik

mr_bill

try measuring it on google earth and see what you get. Make sure you are comparing apples with oranges. that is nautical miles with nautical miles statuatory miles with with stat miles etc
Don't forget you don't paddle in straight lines

Cheers

Bill

Thanks for the food for thought, but I am sorry I do not know the difference between nautical and statuary. Sorry, I am relatively new to the water terminology. And yes, you make a good point regarding the fact we do not kayak in straight lines. If you could clarify the differences, I would greatly appreciate it.
Mr. Bill

Gary, mariners such as us kayakers (and also aircraft pilots) measure distances in nautical miles (also called sea miles); these are just about 6,080 feet, or, more exactly, 1,852 meters. It's much easier to remember that a nautical mile is just about 15% bigger than a "regular" or "statute" mile of 5,280 feet. There are exactly 60 nautical miles per one degree of latitude. Nautical charts show distances in nautical miles (plus often other measures like yards, kilometers, statute miles). For talking about speed of our vessel, or of the wind, we talk of nautical miles per hour, or knots (don't say knots per hour, just knots). If I paddle at 4 knots, that means I'm paddling 4 sea miles per hour. Using the rule that one sea or nautical mile equals 1.15 statute miles, that means that when I paddle at 4 knots, I'm paddling at a speed of 4.6 statute miles per hour. A 30-knot wind is blowing at 34.5 "regular" or statute miles per hour.

Hope that helps.

Carl

One of the main reason I use nautical miles and knots as measurement types while boating is convenience in navigation. As Strange Magic pointed out one degree of latitude is equal to 60 nautical miles. This means that one minute of latitude is equal to one nautical mile. When using a nautical chart distances can be taken directly by using the latitude markings on the sides of the chart. Just remember not to use the longitude markings at the top and bottom of the chart as one minute of longitude only equals one nautical mile at the equator.

Using nautical miles and knots makes it easier to communicate with other boaters as we're all speaking the same language.

I paddled a few times with a Swiss paddler that always like to use kilometers his reason being they always sound more impressive than either statute or nautical miles.

My GPS is in statutory miles and the river floats are referred to in statutory miles. I think that the estimations on miles may have been made 50 years ago and they used a much more primitive means of calculation than our current GPS. Plus we never go in a staight line which would account for a lot of discrepancy. We are in the middle of the US so there are few opportunities to refer to things in other than statutory miles. I admit the Kilometer thing does make the distance sound cooler.

While cleaning out some old boxes of stuff I found an interesting "time capsule" from 1985. It was an Oct. 1985 issue of "Messing about in boats" with an old Dirigo17 brochure in it. In the mag. was an add for "Salt Marsh Sea Kayak Supply Co.". Thats were I bought my first D17 in 85'. Don Forrest is the guys name and when I called the number I found it was no longer in service. He has to be around 60/70 yrs. old now.
I remember he was an iron-worker living in the Dartmouth, Mass. area. It would have been cool to talk to him about D17s. Oh well.

bilnik

Update: I just talked to Mr. Don Forrest! (I called information)
He doesn't know about the molds or the move to the mid-west. But he is still paddling at 69. He is into sit on tops and diving. I t was good to talk to him and he has my # if a used D17 comes around. Oh well.

bilnik

Yo bilnik, next time you contact Don Forrest, you could ask him what he knows about to whom Elliott Speer and Peter Chase sold the Dirigo business and molds out in the midwest. Messing About in Boats is/was a great mag. They published an article I wrote about circling Cape May NJ via Delaware Bay, the ocean, and the Cape May canal, in March 1986 (great trip!). I also bought my D17 in 1985, a demo boat from a small shop in central NJ called Boats and Paddles, as they were in the process of going bankrupt.

Carl

Oy- I asked about all that to Mr. Forrest and he did not know about the whereabouts of the new owners or the molds.

bilnik

I live in Florida and have a 1988 Dirigo for sale. It's in good condition and has always been stored inside. Please advise if you have any interest.

Mark, I hope we can find a buyer for your Dirigo. Have you been using it all along? Any stories you'd like to share?

I paddle mine all winter long here in Jersey--just did a 20-miler last Saturday.

Hey Guys- I've been paddling a bit myself lately, now that the ice is fading off Lk. Champlain.
I wish I was closer to Fla.!
Where in Fla. are you Mark? Why don't you bring that Dirigo17 up here in Aug. when its still nice and cool here? I need a new one.

Bill

Just a bit of information about the history of Dirigo...the company built these beautiful sea kayaks in Wichita, Kansas until at least 1989. I have 2 of them that I purchased 2 (demos) from them in either 1989 or 1990.

I have a Dirigo for Sale in NW Florida.
Mark at <birdsong@embarqmail.com>

Oz, thanks for filling in some missing info about the later history of the Dirigo. I knew that the two original founders/owners/builders in Blue Hill, Maine, sold the business to somebody (I always remembered the name as Mike Wigglesworth) in the midwest--but I couldn't remember where. You've supplied the location at last--Wichita, Kansas. Many thanks. Did you have any interaction with the Kansas owner? And any stories to tell?

Just returned today myself from a fine, fine daytrip in my Dirigo, exploring the marshes, islands and shorelines of Barnegat Inlet here in New Jersey.

Alas, I must begin to think about downsizing--and about thinning the herd. Hence, my faithful Dirigo 17, The White Whale, which has been thoroughly described here--warts and all--is for sale. Make me an offer--I'd just like to feel that the old girl's found another good home.

The End of an Era--The White Whale rolled out of my driveway atop the roof racks of the Subaru of a friend and fellow paddler. Sad to see a dear companion leave, but she looked good up there, and will have a fine home with her new owner. 24 years of history, and some great trips, that will be long remembered.

Magic, what is the White Whale and do you plan to replace her with something, or was she already in retirement? Either way, you deserve credit for keeping her safe and sound for all those years. It pains me to see nice boats left to the elements.

My beloved Dirigo 17, the White Whale, had been in semi-retirement since 1995, when I completed my highly-customized CLC Patuxent 17 and launched it as my primary boat; the Dirigo then became my Winter boat because of its extraordinary stability.

But the Patuxent is just as heavy as the Dirigo, and, as I'm not getting any younger no matter how hard I try, I'll be getting a much lighter craft quite soon--thinking about an Epic 16X.

Magic, may I suggest you take a look at what Novus Composites (NC Kayaks) has to offer? Check them out at nckayaks.com.

I assure you that these are the most beautiful boats you have ever seen and are available in some very light versions. My Expedition weighs about 50 lbs. The 17'-2" boats are considerably lighter. Let me also assure you that NC boats are fast, extremely stable and track like nothing else.

NC boats have many very unique features that make them very special and once you see how well they work and how well built they are, nothing else will do.

I think their recent sale has expired but I wouldn't be surprised if they extend it for a while longer. Their website is very thorough, but I can't stress enough that the pictures just can't do justice to these gorgeous boats and the craftsmanship that goes into them.

Steve

I also suggst that you check out CD's Cypress. I've been paddling mine (not the demo) for three weeks. Every time I get in it, I love it even more!

I let a good friend test paddle it and below is what he wrote in our little ad hoc group trip report:

"Debbie just got a new kayak; a Current Designs Cypress in kevlar. It sure is nice. I asked to paddle it at our lunch stop and she hesitated. I promised not to leap over any logs in it and she reluctantly let me try it out. I feel privileged--even Tom hasn't been allowed in it yet. It handled very nice, it edges effortlessly, accelerates quick, is very fast, and has very good directional stability. The primary stability is light which would make it sketchy for a beginner, but that also makes it perform better, and Debbie is no beginner. I much prefer it that way. I humbly asked for permission to roll it and I was allowed. It worked great and rolls as easy as my Tempest. Current designs did a good job on this kayak. It is pink on the top and gold on the bottom. The gold I believe is the kevlar with a clear finish over it. The kevlar weave looks nice. Debbie is all excited about it and has plans to color coordinate her paddle and pfd, etc. with the kayak so she can paddle in high style. It's fun when people are excited and happy about things."

Just a suggestion, as an alternative to Magooch's NC. I swear they are paying him to promote their boats.;)
deb

Yeah, I wish. No, Deb, NC isn't paying me, but like you, I am so totally thrilled with my new boat that I just can't help myself. Hey, I also am a fan of CD boats; remember, I have one and it too is a great boat.

To tell the truth, I would have to say that the NC boats are probably not for every paddler. The one thing they don't do as easily as some boats is maneuver. They are designed to track and go fast. However, I have learned to manage the Expedition just fine. The other thing they do is handle rough water. The initial and secondary stability is unbelievable.

Now see what you did. You got me started.

WoW! I just went through all 7 pages about this boat. What an interesting history lesson in kayaking! My husband has been paddling since the mid 70's. He is orginally from upstate New York. He has an old 14 ft White Bros. roto WW(?) kayak. He bought two for $125 ea in the late 70's. We sold one a few months back for...$125! He cannot part with the second one, too much history. We still use 'ole Blue.

You have inspired me to try to find some history on his kayaking antique. Great thread!

My fellow paddler who carried off my Dirigo reported that he paddled it for the first time the very next day. The first boater he encountered on the water remarked to him what a very handsome boat the Dirigo was/is! I am at peace.

Thanks to Magooch and Deb for your suggestions as to which boat should replace my Patuxent. I know that both of you (and everybody else out there in Kayakland) give your boats at least a 9 and more likely a 10 out of 10 (don't we all?). But as I've indicated in some other posts, for me, sea kayaking is a Head Trip--I'm not a picky paddler when it comes to boats; I just want a boat to get me there and back. (Besides, how many meaningful differences can there be among 200 models of roughly 17-foot, 22-inch beam sea kayaks?)

With that in mind, I was looking for a boat with a slightly wider beam than my 22-inch Patuxent, a rudder (always), and much lighter weight. So I got the Epic 16X (after test-paddling it), and got a kayak that actually is a little bit different. I'm sure I'll discover things about it that are less than perfect, but, like all of my boats, I'll learn to live with them, and continue to have a fabulous time out on the water.

Sorry I missed the quick sale of the "White Whale". I was busy fishing.
Someday I'll find one, or an alternative. Actually, I've been thinking about building my own. I've been looking at Chesapeake Light Craft and the like. Cool stuff.

Bilnik

Bilnik, browsing through the CLC catalog, especially on a cold, windy, wet, dreary day, is one of the great pleasures of our time. So many great boats! And you can build them all!

Strange Magic- I think I'm going to start off with the N.E.er' Sailing Dory. I've got kids and they need to learn sailing basics. Plus it would be a cool way to camp up here in the ADK's. Then maybe a kayak.
Just repainted the Dirigo 17 for duck season when I return from AK. Its still floating.
Have a good autumn.

Bilnik

Thanks, Bilnik. I'll indeed have a great autumn--here in Jersey, we call the season from Labor Day right through into November the "Sea Kayakers' Summer"--most of the jet skis, cigarette boats, other stinkpots clogging the waterways are gone, leaving clean, open water for the kayakers. Best paddling of the year!

So far, really grooving on the new Epic 16X--great boat for surfing chop on the Bay. Good luck with the dory--you can't go wrong with a dory.

Hi Bilnik - I just noticed a Dirigo 17 on the Portland CL. I was unfamiliar with the boat and did some research and found you little club. This one is being offered for $1450. Good price? I've got way to many boats already so am not interested but thought you might want to track this one down. Search "dirigo 17" in the Portland, Oregon Craigslist and you'll find it .. due to rules, I don't think I can offer you the link here. And, no, I am not the one selling it. Just looked like an interesting boat and I thought I might help match you up with a 2nd (or 3rd?) D17. Cheers!

N.Wet- Sorry, thats too far, if its still available.
Thanks for the heads up though, you should buy it! I'm down to one D17.
I'll be paddling her hard though the next few months.
Bilnik

I bought my Dirigo 17 in Blue Hill Maine in the '80's, serial # DIG 10261 D787. It was the vanguard of the Canadian/American free trade agreement since I paddled it across the border to avoid paying the duty. It is still in excellent condition. Long ago I replaced the original, cramp generating, one toe steering, and added the sailing kit they recommended at the time. That kit into the garbage can beside the cramp generator a week later, and I replaced the sail with a golf umbrella. The Dirigo, (stupid name) still turns heads wherever I paddle and lowering myself into the beautiful steam bent ash cockpit is like sliding back into the womb.

Beaverton, you're right--that Dirigo one-foot steering was a prime example of a first-class Bad Idea that never should have made it onto the production boats. But maybe it seemed like a great way to separate Dirigo from the competition. Did you go to two-feet steering like I did? Or get rid of the rudder entirely? Did I mention that I replaced the seat back with a backband (from Wilderness Systems); it greatly improved comfort.

I'm going to tackle the seat problem before the ice is off the lake, I'll look into the Wilderness Systems backband as you suggest; thanks for the tip. I now have two peddle steering on sliding tracks...a bit spongy but I'm switching to stainless cable to fix that. Even though the boat is a bit slow by today's standards, it's a joy isn't it!?

The Wilderness Systems backband that I used has two adjustable straps on its upper edge that I screwed into/onto the inside of the coaming just about where the two screws were that anchored the rubber stops for the original seat back. Didn't use the single lower strap at all (though I suppose you could). I drilled holes into the side seat supports about halfway front-to-back, and anchored the backband there with stainless nuts, washers and bolts. Worked great!

It is/was a great boat. Made many of my most memorable trips in it, and it always looked good (which, as we know, is maybe even more important than being good).

Thank you Strange. I've ordered the backband and the seat cushion too. Beaverton

http://s859.photobucket.com/albums/ab156/dnb238/

long time no post.... my apologies to the club... above is a link to pictures of my two dirigo 17's... i now own both one from blue hill, maine and one from wichita. i was fortunate enough to find the wichita one in north carolina. it was kept in pristine shape by a fantastic guy who treasured it and took great care of the boat. it is getting late here, so i will sign off for now. thanks again robert. i will share some of the stories i have soon.

Frank, Great Photos! The boats are in A-One condition. Interesting to see again the slight differences that evolved as ownership of Dirigo moved from Blue Hill to Wichita. Thanks for sharing.

Frank- Thank you so much for those photos! I forgot what they looked like new and shiny. I'm still looking for another. It was a rough winter on mine. Sure wish I had the plugs. Or better yet had the time, space, and money to knock off a couple from mine.
I'll try and get some recent pics of mine up for laughs.

Bilnik

thanks guys...i feel pretty lucky to have both in the shape they are in. my thoughts on having a second boat is that i'd like to put a skeg on one to help with weathercocking...and that i wouldn't feel bad cutting into one if i had another. odd, i suppose. both boats still have the single rudder control, and i plan to change that for sure. hey bilnik...guess it is pretty far, but there is one for sale in vancouver....

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/boa/1755761944.html

i drove 1550 miles roundtrip for the wichita boat, from massachusetts to north carloina. i just think the dirigo 17 has the most beautiful lines i have ever seen. well worth the trip. the guy that sold it took exceptional care of it and also gave me the original magazine articles featuring the dirigo. a tremendous gentleman. he had not paddled it in some time i believe, and wanted it to be in the water where they belong. i am very grateful for the experience.

Frank- Thats why I had two, no skeg, but I elongated the cockpit for layout hunting on my first boat. She is still in pieces on rockpile lighthouse off L.I., N.Y.!? (Long story.)
I would love to go out and buy that one on the W. Coast. I used to paddle just north of there in Grey's Harbor, WA.. My wife wouldn't appreciate it though, right now.
Sounds like you found a beauty in N.C. though! I still have my original ad, plus the brochure from the Maine builders. If you ever want to paddle the Adirondacks, let me know. I guide fishing/hunting/camping up here (And Alaska.) and can recommend some great trips in the area.
All the best- Bilnik

thanks for the offer bilnik....i will happily take you up on it this fall...i bet the adirondacks are magnificent then. i just wanted to say that there is a dirigo 17 in florida that looks in pretty decent shape if anyone is interested:

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/boa/1832997884.html

Anybody still out there reading this. I just found all these posts today. My partner and I where the ones that bought Dirigo and moved it to Wichita. I would enjoy talking with anyone still interested in these old boats.

P.S. I still have two and paddle in Southwest Florida

Hello Wiggs- I've been checking this thread every few months. I still have my old Dirigo 17. I paddle it all winter duckhunting southern New England and northern N.Y.. I bought it when they were built in ME..
What happened?

Wiggs, great to hear from you! You've found the most definitive internet source for Dirigo 17 information and history right here, and it would be extraordinarily fine if you could fill in the Dirigo story, starting from when you acquired the marque from the Blue Hill Boys. Tell us the tale, with as much detail as you choose. Some of my best trips ever were in my trusty White Whale.

I'm hoping Wiggs is busy popping a few new Dirigo 17s out. I'll take two please.

i hope everyone is having a fine summer. we just went through a hot spell here in massachusetts, and it was a scorcher at times. i was hoping wiggs would find his way back here, i was looking forward to the history. guys, i have a question. has anyone ever changed the color of their cockpit coaming? i cleaned and lightly sanded the teak rails of one of the dirigos, and stained them with teak oil. they came out nice, but now look a rich, dark color, much darker that the ash/mahogany? coaming. do you think it would be ok to do the same to the cockpit? any thoughts would be appreciated.

thanks,
frank

Hey Frank- I've been waiting for a reply from Wiggs myself. I hope he's ok?
You should be fine refinishing the cockpit trim the same as the rails. Varnish would be best though for durability and abrasion. Mine are all painted olive drab for hunting, the original purpose for kayaks. Where are you in Mass.?

I was able to get an e-mail address for Wiggs and tried e-mailing him directly to invite his continued response on the Dirigo history. To date I've had no response there either. Hopefully he's enjoying a trip to some exotic place and will be back with us soon.

Mikekayak

bilnik....

thanks for the reply. i never thought we'd finally get to page nine! i am in ayer, ma just east of leominster. i spend time in and around hingham harbor and the south shore, but am open to going anywhere really. thanks for the varnish tip. i will definitely look into it. i hope wiggs is alright also. i hope he can find his way back here. i would love to hear the history, and he may be one of the few that can share it. thanks bilnik..

Hey Guys, it's Peter Chase. It's amazing to hear all this talk about the Dirigo 17, which I designed and which I loved, but I had to get out of building fiberglass boats. I work on rebuilding wooden boats and designing and building small wooden boats, I call it biodegradable boat building.
I own the third Dirigo 17 we built that we used for trying different materials including a sailing rig, which worked really well.
I do want to say that it is not a good thing to put a skeg on the stern and especially not on the bow. The boat steers well and can be used for white water kayaking. It's only when you are paddling down wind on a windy day with large waves that it's difficult to keep the boat on course. Using the rudder takes care of that, so learning to paddle correctly is the key.
It is great to hear all this talk about Dirigo 17's after so many years. Check out my website:
[url=www.caperosierboatshop.com]home[/url] I also want to give credit to Elliot Speer, who's email address is: espeer@midmaine.com Tod Cheney was also very involved in building them, his email is todedc@gmail.com My email address is: caperosierboatshop@gmail.com but my wife is the only one who uses the internet, so it's only if she happens to check mine that I hear about mail.
I am happy to talk with you over the phone. My number is 207 326-4514. It is a real ego boost to hear all the chat.

Peter Chase!: great to have one of the original Dirigo designer-builders now on the thread. I know that every designer thinks the world of his boat, but my Dirigo 17 was greatly improved by the addition of, first, the stern skeg and later the bow skeg, as otherwise the boat was utterly rudder-dependent. I paddled the boat often enough on open water under severe conditions over the 24 years I owned it to become intimately familiar with its handling peculiarities. The Dirigo 17 was (and still is) a beautiful and solidly-built boat, and I dearly loved mine more and more with every improvement and modification I made to it, but a perfect boat it surely wasn't. If it's any solace to the original designer-builders, I've gone through a similar process of improvement and modification to my current Epic 16X, so maybe it's just me.

Good to hear from you Mr. Chase. I met you at the Newport RI, small boat show many years ago. It was your first or second year building them. You let me try out your boat and I've had one ever since. Thanks! I just glassed over the wood cockpit combing, sorry had to do it. I've put a lot of miles on it. I can't find another kayak I like and I've tried them all.
Thanks!

Yippee!

I also now own a Dirigo 17 kayak.

I've been passing by this auction house in Minot, Maine several times a week, so recently I finally stopped into inquire about the Dirigo kayak they had (also an excuse to examine it). Turns out it was going up on the auction block two days later.

So after reading up about this kayak (mainly on your forum), I decided to attend the auction and bid on it.

It was part of an estate auction, so most of the bidders I assume didn't know much about this kayak, or have any interest in it.

Anyhow I was the high bidder. It included the rudder, and both hatches.It's currently in my basement, here in the State of Maine. I'll probably do some work on it over the winter, so that it's ready for the spring.

I'm definitely looking forward to the spring!

Sinbad, congratulations! You're now member of an exclusive group. I wrote up an article about Dirigo Boatworks and the Dirigo 17 based on letters I had sent & received from Elliott Speer and Peter Chase while I served a spell as editor of ANorAK, the journal of the Association of North Atlantic Kayakers, back in the mid-1980s. Now that this thread has become so rich in Dirigo lore, I'm sorry that I no longer have any copies of that issue, as I would love to share it again here. But you've tapped into a real store of knowledge and experience with the Dirigo 17 here, and I'm sure that somebody can come up with a decent answer to any question that you might have. Enjoy!

Congrats Sinbad- You are a lucky man. Why wait until spring? I did 7 miles today on Lk. Champlain!

You have a great point!

I'm seriously contemplating the maiden voyage (under new ownership) this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.

Regards & Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Carl - if you can come up with any info on your article I would be happy do what ever would be needed to make it work with the forum.
Michael

Mike, thanks for the offer. I know that I no longer have that issue, nor any of my old ANorAKs, as I periodically clean out the stables of accumulating "stuff", then kick myself later. Oh well.... (Don't have any of my old, old SKs either--I had them back to the first issue.....)

Are there any libraries that you know of that would have all the back issues of ANorAK? I know there are a few libraries besides the one at SK that have complete or near complete collections.

Hello, new to this stuff. I recently purchased a cottage and it came with what has turned out to be a couple of sea kayaks and a bunch of old issues of sea kayaker magazine among other things. One of the kayaks is a Dirigo 17 and the other is a McNulty Sea Hunter, about the same legnth. just looking for some info as to what i've got, never kayaked before, own several other boats, canoes stayed mostly on the lake. Niether seem to have a rudder but other than that seem to be pretty complete and functional are the rudders necessary or are they ok without?

Whiteman, yours is the second Dirigo 17 to be noted on this thread as not having a rudder. My familiarity with the Dirigo 17 is based only on my ruddered 1984 model; it may be that either Dirigo did produce some boats without rudders, or that people removed their rudders somewhere along the line. I'd be curious about the date of manufacture of your boat, which you can figure out from the serial number/letter code etched onto the stern (mine was on the starboard side). I know that my boat was utterly rudder-dependent, as the boat would do a complete 180 with the rudder not deployed, once I put down my paddle and let the boat have its own way as it glided along. I mentioned this to co-designer Peter Chase shortly after I bought the boat, and he told me then that I just had to learn to paddle it correctly (Peter probably will not remember this). The Sea Hunter may be a different story entirely.

Welcome to the Club! Once you get the hang of the Dirigo, you'll have some fine paddling experiences with it; I know several of my most memorable trips were made in mine. I hope whatever you need to find out, you can get the info here.

Whiteman- You are a very lucky man to find that gem! I haven't used my rudder in probably 15 yrs. When you get a chance, see if there is a hole in the far stern of the boat where a rudder post (bolt) would have gone. I have my old rudder if you want to try it! What a great holiday surprise.
Bill

Thanks for the info, I've got the boats out from where they were stored only to find there is a small dent in the Dirigo and some cracks in the fiberglass so I'll have to address those issues first. I was able to locate the # on the hull though its digi0048l84 and there is a stainless or aluminum gromet in the stern, did the rudder just slip in to this or is it fastened mechanically?

Looks like yours is a 1984 (like mine was). The rudder rotated around a metal pin (rudder post) that fitted down into that grommet hole and locked into place. The post had a button in the center of the top of it that, when pressed, was supposed to release the post so you could pull it (and thus the rudder) out of the hole/socket, but mine never could be released. You should try to get together with bilnik to see what the rudder looks like and how it works.

thanks I'll do that , I'm going to be out to the property this weekend I think I'll rummage around a bit and see if theres anything hanging around that fits the bill

Let me know what you find. Its been a while since I had it in but I think mine just rested in there with a bolt. Maybe threaded....
I have a stainless one I had made plus the original aluminium one.

I guess there's nothing more to say.

Lovely dialog, Strange Magic, and kudos for starting this Dirigo 17 club. As we all age along with our boats, this is exacly the kind of club that makes for a wonderful sea kayaking community.

Until I read your post and the responding comments, I was at a bit of a loss trying to understand why so many folks had several (if not buckets) o' boats. Now I understand: it's love.

I second your request for more details of the adventures. Especially Montaulk Point. I spent two weeks in Montaulk years ago and rounded the point every day. Well, except for when that hurricane blew through. The day after, the ocean was a seething deathtrap, but the sound had huge, smooth swells and I had a blast in Nordy.

Moulton

Moulton, I've seen several ways kayakers accumulate boats. Some are all-around paddlers--surf, whitewater, tripping, racing, creeking. Some just have the cash (and like kayaks, too), so they end up with quite a few boats. All I ever do is exploration day-tripping, so it's usually only one boat in the stable at a time; the exceptions are the overlap while one kayak is being phased out and its replacement phasing in. I kept the Dirigo long after I built the Patuxent, though, because A) it would be hard to sell and I really can't be bothered, and B) it was an old, old friend and was indeed a great cold-water boat for a cautious paddler like me. BTW, I gave away both the Dirigo and the Patuxent to local paddlers whom I thought would put them to good use. The boats were also just so idiosyncratic by the time I got finished building or modifying them that the odds were very low that any "regular" kayak purchaser would be at all interested. Any boat that I end up with gets to be very highly customized and personalized, to suit my tastes over many years of constant use, and I suppose I pay for it in lost resale value. Don't really care, though.

Chuck Sutherland is an example of boat loyalty. He's still paddling his ancient Broze Brothers Mariner Sprite that he's had since at least the mid-80s: no hatches, no bulkheads...... How old is your Nordkapp? My old paddling partner Bob Zelley is working on his 3rd Nordkapp.

To all I have an old Dirigo in my barn I do not have time to re- condition. I was thinking of giving it up if anyone was interested. I live in central NC.

I wish you were closer.

Great news! I found a Dirigo 17 on ebay and bought it last night, CHEAP!
It does need a new cockpit coaming but so does my present Dirigo 17. Very excited to make new cockpit coamings. Thinking about foam and fiberglass.

bilnik, best of luck with the new Dirigo! Let us know how it goes, with the repairs.

Thank you Mr. Magic!
I am using foam and fiberglass to rebuild coaming on present boat. The new boat (to me) was stored upside down in the dirt for some years so all the wood is gone. The hull is perfect though. I'll see how the foam/fiberglass comes out and then decide what to do on the whole new cockpit coaming. I'm not that into bending wood, etc....
Very happy to have a new Dirigo 17 though!!

Howdy-
Just finished rebuilding my old cockpit coaming. I am happy and surprised how easy it was. I'll paint it camo to match the rest of the boat this afternoon. My good friend Joe with Placid Boatworks (awesome canoes!!!) threw a 7' piece of 1"x1" foam at me to play with. Well guess what, it worked! I cut all the old wood off and glued the foam down, glassed over it a few times and bam, new cockpit. I am very excited to get my hands on my new D17 this winter and put a whole new cockpit coaming on her. I have some ideas about fastening a 1"x3" piece of foam to the lip the wood was fastened to and shaping and glassing over it. I'll see.....
All the best.

Howdy- Just got back from hunting RI for seaducks in my old D17 and I picked up my new one too!!!! She's a beauty. Built 1987. Different hatch cover and its all bolted together instead of rivets like my old one. Can't wait to rebuild the cockpit coaming and paint it camo for next year. Its SO light compared to my old one that has been glassed over and patched many times over the years.
feliz navidad if anyone is listening...

Hi bilnik, I'm still here anyway. Congrats on your ongoing relationship with these grand old boats. My old 1984 leaked past the rivets; I trust the bolted version is watertight?

Hey Mr. Magic - Yes, my older one with the rivets is quite porous along the seam. I might take it apart and re-bed/re-fasten it someday maybe. The new one looks tight. I haven't floated her yet, maybe spring. It hasn't been used as much as mine though, to say the least. Just got back on the ocean and it felt great. I might go back in January.
Al the best-

I have an original Blue Hills Dirigo 17' that I haven't used in over 10 years and will probably be selling it. Is there a forum that is preferred for selling kayaks like my Dirigo?

I bought it at LL Bean and I've used it throughout New England in the 80s and 90s.

Thanks.