Dolphin24.org - A Website For Dolphin Owners and Others Interested in this Classic Design

Simon Graves (Supernova) had reported that he knew of a Dolphin in eastern Europe planning to cruise the Adriatic and Europe's canals. By coincidence Tom found the website and sent us an email. He was here in the US in January and visited with us. He has provided us with photos (below) and more info about Kiwi and his plans.

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January 16, 2008

Hi
My name is Tom Delamarter (aka - Richard). I live in Montenegro and have a Dolphin 24 that I have been fixing up and sailing in the Adriatic.

I am on a trip to the US where I came across your site -- bravo.

I have one more week in New York before returning home. I would love to meet and talk with anyone in the region -- maybe over the weekend. I have questions on designs for self raising the mast, for a trailer, for some interior modifications, painting the mast, etc. Would be great to meet people who have done some of this already and not have to reinvent.

When I get back home I will compose some material (ie hull number) on what I have done with Kiwi -- bought out of Newport and shipped to Slovenia a couple of years ago.

Thanks

Tom

Webmaster Note: Tom and I did meet in Old Lyme and spent some quality but cold time in the barn on Marionette talking Dolphins. The mast stepping question has several solutions/approaches, all with varying degrees of adrenalin producing manuevers. Go to Google and type in mast stepping to see a few.

The Dolphin network has additional input, I'm sure, on all these items which we will consolidate and get up on the site in the Technical Section soon. I'll get the painted mast question up on the Forum and see what comes in. Our unofficial position is we are not happy with painted masts. Stay tuned ...

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Tom is safely back and sent in a few pictures and the following email

February 4, 2008

Hi Ron

Made it back to Montenegro and will write more later. For just the basics. Hull number is 170. Attached are some pictures – of boat arriving in Isola Slovenia, and trip down the coast to Montenegro.

Good luck with the site, and thanks for the visit.

Best and more later

Tom (Richard Thomas Delamarter)

Arriving from the US

Check out the new paint job, and the dodger. Tom says he did the painting with the help of local workers. They didn't like it, he says, because "it looks like a navy boat, which around here, is not too positive"

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December 8, 2008 We got the following email from Tom (edited) and a lot of pictures of Kiwi's interior

Dear Ron;

Back in New York for the holidays and got your email. A little background since we met. The last year was a bit of a bust - sun allergies acting up (finally got a diagnosis -- a parasite I picked up in India several years ago -- so am optimistic) and an accident (lost last digit of third finger in the table saw) making changes in Kiwi (healing took most of the summer). Hope for better next year.

The present plan is to sail around Italy and pick up the midi canal (runs parallel to the border between Spain and France) to the Atlantic, then turn right, another canal across Brittany, the channel and on to Scandinavia until it gets too cold.

I have enclosed some pictures if you think people might be interested.

Some of the changes are:

- a new engine, gearbox and prop (Best marine from UK -- basically a koboto desiel with conversion kit -- a tight fit -- then adding soundproofing even tighter):
- a slide out galley (sink and one burner stove) that tucks under walkway;
- water tank and pump with hide away sprayer and hose outside the cabin inside the cockpit (so can be used for showers);
- new toilet with grinder and holding tank;
- lots of drawers to replace storage through the top (moving the pads in such a small space was difficult for an old man);
- a main hatch cover with screening to let the breeze in and keep the bugs out;
- a complicated storage space under the walkway and above the table and benches (I lost some room on the seats but gained the storage -- forward bit is basically books while back one is electronics (small computer, gps, music, inverter etc)):
- twin fuel tanks (30 liters each from an old Fiat tucked at the rear of each side storage area of the cockpit);
- a music system (jvc car radio that plays DVD music disks and acts as an amplifier for a 500 Gig hard disk based mp3 system and a pair of small Bose speakers -- that can mount inside or outside;
- work outside on plastic and teak (added some to the front and back hatches);
- improved storage for the long fiberglass poles that support the bimini and sunshades under the bench seat
- Several new sails.

Anyway most of it is in the pictures including one with a first draft of a cover to keep it nice over the winter.

If you want more information let me know -- glad to supply.

Among my problems to solve during this trip -- where to get gasket material and glue to better seal the hatches when the wind blows. Still looking for a good plan to self raise and lower the mast.

That is about it -- keep up the good work and good luck

Richard (Tom) Delamarter