D’Arcy was built in Sydney, BC in the early 1970s, by a well-known old-time boat builder named Darry Carter. He was commissioned by the O’Grady family to build a good sized rowing boat that could take a growing family on camping trips throughout the Gulf Islands and southern Vancouver Island.
D’Arcy, named after an island south of Sydney, provided the O’Grady family with 25 years of continuous service, until it finally ended up in Liane O’Grady”s garage in White Rock, BC., where it languished for 7 years. Liane, who spent many memorable summers with her parents exploring our local waters, could not let this family heirloom disappear. After approaching David Bradford, of the Alder Bay Boat Shop, it was suggested that the D’Arcy would provide another great restoration challenge for Oarlock and Sail members interested in hands-on boat building. She would also make a great addition to our expanding fleet, enabling at least a couple of boaters to go and row the Creek. Liane has therefore generously entrusted her family’s cherished D’Arcy to our organization for its resurrection and use. Last October, we finally got the D’Arcy into our shop.She is of red cedar on oak clinker construction, and by and large, the planking is in great shape. Problem areas include some rot at the transom and a pulling away from the keel of the forward ends of both garboards at the forefoot of the stem. A couple of ribs will also require attention. Apart from these structural issues, all that is required is lots of scraping and sanding away the old paint, and a fresh coat applied. Replacement of other components such as new thwart risers, thwart knees and the stern sheets are also more than likely in order.