Here are a few answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions. Can’t find what your looking for? Please feel free to call us or send an email.
If you have any other questions that come up please give us a call or send an email. We have over twenty years of experience relating to these boat models and input from hundreds of boat owners to call upon regarding all aspects of use and ownership.
Sailing models row identically to the rowing models, and can also be fitted with optional slide seat units and feature integral centerboard wells and mast step assemblies. A “pre-sail” model has these integral features included, but is purchased without the mast, lug, boom, sails, rigging, bronze centreboard, and rudder system.
There is no performance compromise whether the boat is used as a traditional rowboat, a slide seat rowboat, or a sailboat.
The Dory evolved from a need for economic, easily built rowboats that could pack a load (often hundreds of pounds of fish) carried low in the hull. The original dorys were flat sided with high freeboard and featured a flat bottom. The sides are brought together to a steeply angled point at both ends. Dorys could be stacked nested together such as on the deck of a fishing schooner. Modern recreational rowing dory designs retain the flat bottoms but have lower freeboard and vary somewhat in the shape of the sides and many are very attractive. Narrow designs tend to be unstable.
Some inventive folks have put together their own customized heavy duty roof racks that have worked for them, however we recommend a road trailer for transport if you plan to regularly travel by road with the boat. All that is needed is the lightest weight bunk trailer available.
Sliding seat or fixed seat rowing is an easy form of exercise, however if you are new to it we recommend starting slowly, being very careful in balancing your weight when getting into and out of the boat and keeping your rowing time down to under half an hour for the first few times out, regardless of how good it feels.
Teak is without a doubt the best wood for marine use due to its beautiful appearance, superior strength, longevity and lowest maintenance. It is the main reason we know our boats are easily capable of lasting 100 years or more. Finely crafted teak is also the reason these boats look so great and command high resale values. Teak has a natural oil that prevents decay and enables easy maintenance. It is treated with three coats of all-purpose exterior grade oil with UV and mildew inhibitors before delivery. Re-oiling is fast and easy and takes only an hour or two at the most, and need only be done once or twice a year depending on how much sun and water exposure your boat receives.
A stainless steel keel strip greatly prevents the keel from damage if it hits rocks, concrete or other hard surfaces. It also greatly prevents gelcoat wearing off the keel from constant beaching particular in the bow area. Over a few years even gravel will cause wear through abrasion. The keel strips installed on these models have a curved shape and wrap around the keel somewhat, particularly in the bow where it’s most needed. Keel strips are through-bolted into the keel and the bolts sealed and glassed into the keel to insure against leakage when the bolt head contacts rocks etc.
All 18 Classic Whitehall Spirit® models are built in teak, bronze and hand laid fiberglass. They are equally at home parked on a trailer in the garage, at the summer cottage or on the deck of a super yacht. The Whitehall Spirit® Classics are built to easily last a hundred years, thus are an investment in beauty, health and fitness that is unique in this day and age. They are owned and enjoyed by thousands of discriminating owners all over the world.
We also build the Whitehall Spirit® Solo 14 and Tango 17 are slide seat models that are great examples of modern engineering, design detail and are thermoformed out of space age copolymer plastic. These two models are virtually maintenance free, always beautiful and less costly than the Classic hand-built models. They include all the gear found in a racing shell but are built tougher to handle rough and even salt water conditions.
The actual forces involved in rowing, whether in slide seat mode or traditional rowing, are much greater than most other marine activities like canoeing or kayaking. In fact, a single slide seat rower produces the same power using both legs as two people using paddles. Hence the need for stronger materials, glues and fasteners. Also included with all of the boats are the removable fixed seat for traditional rowing, non-slip deck surfaces, a drain plug and reinforced towing or lifting eyes.
They are a lot of boat, and well worth the price but you don’t have to take our word for the value of these boats, just read the testimonials posted by the owners themselves.
Solo 14’s and Tango 17’s are produced only in white. The benefits of the colour white are that it doesn’t heat up, show scratches as easily and is easy to keep clean.
As for electric motors, we now carry an electric motor option that pairs well with our boats. The Torqeedo Travel 1003 3 hp long shaft will deliver the needed thrust at a very light weight. You can learn more about this motor by clicking on the link above or by calling us to ask us questions directly.
When ordering their boats most owners take advantage of our “door to door” delivery service as part of the package. Occasionally, to accommodate these your needs, our driver will meet up at a pre-arranged time and location (such as Blaine or elsewhere) and you take delivery and transport your boat to its destination. See the check list for what’s needed that also applies to boats that are picked up at the factory.
Car topping a Solo 14®: Classic models are not recommended for car-top transport. For car-topping your Solo 14™, the roof rack must have a width of a minimum of 50 inches in order to accommodate the 46 inch beam (upside down). If the vehicle roof is long and flat, the racks must be high enough to account for the “rocker” or curved shape of the gunnels (7½ inches over 14 ft. or 19 cm over 4.27 m).
A minimum of two (2) tie down straps as well as bow and stern (2) ropes to secure the ends are also required. A red flag is also suggested.
For a suitable “upright” car-top racking system see more from these FAQs.
Padding or cushioning is sometimes required for car-top transportation and is expected to be provided by the purchaser. Our driver does not normally carry extra lines or tie-down straps. Straps or lines can be purchased from us and shipped with the delivery. Call or email to arrange this if required.
Please have your cell phone on and at the ready in order to rendezvous with our driver at the agreed location and time.
Please feel free to call the toll-free line at 1-844-880-5151 if you have any questions.