For a variety of reasons, many of the boats still exist... for one thing, the Cypress planked hulls weren't prone to rot, for another, they were unusual, even in their own period.
Owning a Dippy has been best described as a source of "exasperation, pride, annoyance, and devotion".
The boat was first produced in 1915, and most were made in the 1920's. It was made possible by the development of light-weight gasoline engines, and the perfection of the ingenious device that gives the boat it's name... the disappearing propeller.
The device allows the operator to lift the propeller up into an interior housing. This gives the boat the ability to go almost anywhere a canoe can go, as the boat will still move with as little as an inch of propeller-blade sticking out the bottom.
As a further bonus, the whole contraption will retract itself automatically if you strike a log, or a shoal.... usually.
Also, Disappearing Propeller Boat Company Limited - History of the Dispro
Wow, I had never heard of these boats, your photo examples show a beautiful boat. Its a fascinating technology. I myself am not into engines that much but I certainly admire good costruction. The work you have done shows in her beauty... Andy
ReplyDeleteAndy,
ReplyDeleteThis is just an introduction to these wonderful little boats. Dave, (Dave's Dispro link above) has done all the work. In fact he commutes to work in the summer aboard his Dispro. He's given us a sneak peak into another project they are working on, it's a 36' Pointer. I will post that as soon as he is ready.
Did you watch the video? It's a cool little episode also created by Dave and his associates.
Kruez
That is nice piece of information, on very elegant boats and their engines.. Video is very impressive,,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind sitting back, taking my time puttin' across the lake in those.
That is nice piece of information, on very elegant boats and their engines.. Video is very impressive,,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind sitting back, taking my time puttin' across the lake in those.
Quite a rare find.... I even looked for more sites but David's Dispro Site is the only one by far.. I wondered if a "peapod" can be modified into one