John Dory 18'3" Sprit Rig (Leg O'Mutton)

Description

The John Dory Sprit Rig (Leg O'Mutton), designed by Iain Oughtred, is a 17-foot (5.2 m) traditional-inspired plywood skiff optimized for rowing, sailing, and fishing in coastal and sheltered waters, featuring a sprit-rigged leg-of-mutton sail of approximately 75 square feet (7 m²) with a simple, unstayed wooden mast stepped forward, a diagonal sprit boom for tensioning the sail's peak, and no boom for easy reefing and loose-footed efficiency. Built using glued-lapstrake construction from 6 mm marine plywood with built-in flotation and a daggerboard for upwind performance, it weighs around 200-250 lbs (90-113 kg), offers a spacious cockpit for two to three adults, and rows smoothly with 8-9 foot oars, drawing inspiration from classic Scottish dories for its stable, fine-ended hull that handles chop well. With plans available from Oughtred's catalog via outlets like the WoodenBoat Store, the design emphasizes amateur-friendly building, low maintenance, and versatile day-use, making it popular among traditional boat enthusiasts seeking a forgiving, high-aspect rig that performs well in light airs without the complexity of stays or jibs.