Harold H. Payson ... known to associates, friends, and his wife as Dynamite... thinks you can build a boat.



Plans for boats that never got built went against Dynamite's Down East grain, so he outlined the problem to Philip Bolger, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, arguably the most innovative small craft designer around, and Bolger agreed, on one condition, to design a series of boats that would require no lofting, no jig, and no lumber that could not be obtained at any local buildingsupplies store. Boats that would not require a great investment of time to cut out and button up. In short, boats for the inexperienced builder whose fundamental desire is to get out on the water. The one condition was that Dynamite would build and thoroughly test a prototype of each design to wring out every bug before offering the plans for sale. Dynamite readily agreed, and a felicitous partnership was born. The eventual result was the original fleet of six boats described in his first book, Instant Boats.

Click on (links) on the left side to go to Dynamite's webpage and messageboard. There you will be able to purchase plans and books. Every book purchased directly from Dynamite is autographed, you won't get that from Amazon!

Also in the links section is a link to the Bolger yahoo group. There you can find help on all other Bolger designs.

See the Texas Dories (Diablos on steroids) built by Dynamite in the 1960's before Instant Boats. Plans, books and prices. Yes, these jewels are still available. They have been hidden away for years and only available here.