How Much Does It Cost to Build a Wooden Dory?

One of the first practical questions anyone asks before starting a boat build: how much is this going to cost? The answer depends on your location, lumber sourcing, and what tools you already own. But here’s a realistic breakdown.

A 16-foot Grand Banks dory is one of the most cost-effective traditional wooden boats you can build. The design calls for common, readily available lumber - mostly white pine and a modest amount of oak - and the fastener and paint requirements are straightforward.

Lumber Costs

Prices vary by region - Atlantic Canada and rural New England tend to be less expensive than urban suppliers. Local sawmills almost always beat lumber dealer prices for the clear, straight-grained stock you need.

White Pine Planking (8 pieces, 16′ × 9″ × 5/8″): $120–$200. Clear, straight-grained pine. Local sawmills often have the best prices for long planking stock.

White Pine Bottom (5 pieces, 12′ × 7″ × 1¼″): $60–$100. Thicker stock for the bottom planks that take the most abuse.

Oak Timbers (5 pieces, 6′ × 12″ × ¾″): $80–$140. The most expensive wood per board foot, but the volume needed is modest.

Pine for Casing, Gunwales, Risings, Thwarts, etc.: $80–$130. This covers gunwale casing, risings, thwarts, support posts, apron, counter, knee braces, and bottom runners.

Birch for Stem (1 piece, 39″ × 2½″ × 2″): $15–$30.

Batten Pine (2 pieces, 17′ × ½″ × 1″): $20–$35.

Total lumber: $375–$635.

Fasteners

Stainless Steel Screws (~5 lbs, five sizes, #8 head): $60–$90. Stainless is non-negotiable - regular steel corrodes and stains the wood.

Stainless steel screws are non-negotiable in a boat - regular steel corrodes and stains the wood.

Marine Glue (6 tubes, #920 or #2000): $40–$70.

Pine Wood Filler (1 tub): $15–$25.

Total fasteners: $115–$185.

Paint

Marine Green for the bottom and garboard (2 litres) and Dory Buff Yellow for the topsides and interior (3 litres), plus 1 litre of primer.

Total paint: $80–$150. Marine-grade paint costs more than standard exterior paint, but it’s engineered to withstand saltwater, UV exposure, and constant wet-dry cycles.

Tools (If Needed)

If you’re starting from scratch with no power tools, here is what the build requires:

Table saw with dado blade: $300–$600. Jigsaw: $60–$120. Electric drill: $50–$100. Four large clamps (35″+): $60–$100. Electric sander: $40–$80. Hand plane: $30–$80.

Total tools (if needed): $540–$1,080. Most builders already own the majority of these. Renting larger tools like a table saw can save hundreds.

Total Build Cost

Lumber: $375–$635. Fasteners and glue: $115–$185. Paint: $80–$150. Plans: $79. Tools (if needed): $0–$1,080.

Total without tools: approximately $649–$1,049.

Total with full tool purchase: approximately $1,189–$2,129.

Perspective

A comparable fibreglass dinghy retails for $2,000–$5,000 new. A custom wooden dory built by a professional boatbuilder: $8,000–$20,000+. Building your own for under $1,100 in materials - plus the satisfaction of having built it yourself - is exceptional value by any measure.

Building your own Grand Banks dory for under $1,100 in materials - plus the satisfaction of having built it yourself - is exceptional value by any measure.