Something entirely different…
Having just recently sold the inflatable dinghy that came with our Amel, the search is on for what will become our new “car.” I’ve written in the past about what I feel is the perfect dinghy. One of the other Amel Maramus here has something entirely different for a tender though, a Portland Pudgy.
I’ve been familiar with this unique hard dinghy for some time, and we’ve actually come across one or two of them in our travels. These are the first people that we have actually spoken to who own one though. Are they happy with it? It seems so. Anyone reading this also have experience with a Portland Pudgy?
Love your blogs keep up the good work and fair winds for your new boat but black dinghy ( hot very hot ) they need to do it in white don’t you thing so?
It comes in several colors. Check the website link.
I’m planning on purchasing the same dinghy after selling my RIB. Have you read this excellent post by Michael Robertson on Del Viento? He has another post about the Pudgy linked there as well. Lots of positive remarks and they find it more spacious than it first appears. I’m looking forward to the sail kit and eventually the life raft canopy. http://logofdelviento.blogspot.com/2012/06/two-boat-cruisers-by-michael.html?m=1
Good post.Thanks for sharing.
There is one on our dock. The owner, who drives a Bavaria, has the whole kit, complete with the sail option…in yellow. He loves his. Aside from the price, which seems a bit high, appears on every level to be a first class dink.
The price is very comparable to a RIB.
We met Ian (of South African origin) playing dominoes in Chagaramas Trinidad. His boat is often in the anchorage and called Leila. He has a rowing dinghy which appears to be made of the same material as this dinghy you’re looking at. He had a split in the bottom, caused by years of use, dragging over sand and UV – not neglect or mishandling. He tried to repair this split with every kind of epoxy and glue on the market, but it was not repairable. It left the bottom and “insides” of the dinghy with water, always water inside – making it heavy, slow and a pain in the ass. I’ve just been to the FAQ for the Portland Pudgy and the one question I’ve got, that is apparently not “frequently asked” is – HOW DO YOU PATCH OR REPAIR THE HULL……. Unless that question is answered to your satisfaction, I’d stay away from this boat. One more issue for us is motor size. This dinghy won’t plane. If you’ve got to motor a long way, for whatever reason, it won’t happen. You’ve got to go slow. A lot of times that’s fine, but not always.
If like a poly kayak, it has to be plastic welded. Lots of videos on you tube on it. West epoxy now makes a plastic boat glue that is suppose to be the cats meow. I haven’t
tried it but their promo video is impressive.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2a5RlcP-4JE
Cool!
Slow is an issue. Might drive me crazy.
Yeah, I’d be very concerned if my tender didn’t plane. I had a walker bay a few years ago with inflatable tubes. Tried to do everything but did nothing well. A total compromise in every way. I’d buy a Ali bottom with hypalon tubes that can be replaced when tired. Just saying
May still do that.
Portland Pudgy was on our short list. It appeared to be a good option for cruising with a dog. But in the end, it was too big to fit on a Pacific Seacraft 34.
We ended up buying a Porta-Bote, the folding boat. We’re waiting for it to arrive now.
I saw one of those yesterday.
After looking at the Portland Pudgy and then reading your link to your perfect dinghy, the PP seems to be lacking in several qualities. Too small, heavy for its size, wouldn’t plane, and can only take a small outboard. Definitely a hard bottomed RIB with Hypalon, and get some “chaps” made for it from new, as this will help keep it in good condition. The bigger the tubes, and also how high the bow rises makes for a good, drier tender. Also the 2 stroke 15hp outboard is the go. Saying all that, we had one of those and sold it in favour of our aluminium “tinny” which fulfills all your requirements, and we don’t get wet either. In Australia it also is far cheaper than a RIB, and the favoured tender of (dare I say, older) long term cruisers.
Catherine
Much to consider.
You two know what has best worked for you in the past– Why not stick with what you know works well for you two?
The surest way to fail is to believe you have everything already figured out, and to close your mind to new information and ideas.
Have you looked at a 10′ Porta-bote? They cost less than an inflatable, weight less than inflatable and therefore take a smaller outboard, which in turn costs less money, will get up on plane with two people with an outboard of of only 6 HP (4 stroke), holds more than an an inflatable because there are no tubes in the boat to take up space (holds four adults with luggage – will not plane then), is ugly so no one wants to steal it, folds up easily for passage making and doesn’t take much space…….among other things……
We put a Hyro-Shield below the prop on the outboard and the nose of the dink does not come up, we get on plane much faster and it protects the prop. On flat water we get 12-13 knots per the GPS.
Like any boat it is not perfect, they all are a compromise, but it works really well for us. If you want photos or more info please feel free to contact us. dndonwogs (at) g mail (dot) com
Good luck what ever you decide!
D & Don
SV SOUTHERN CROSS
We have friends here who have a Porta-Bote. They seem to like it.
Check out the http://sailevenstar.com website, as well as http://ourfreedomproject.blogspot.com/ ; I believe they both use the Portland Pudgy as their tenders.
They both seem enthusiastic about their choice.
Mike
Thanks!
Hi Mike. Have you seen OC tenders? An interesting new design.
No, Mike, I don’t think I have.