Best DIY folding/nesting dinghy kit

demonboy

demonboy

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Since labour is relatively cheap here in Turkey, and I don't have the time or the tools myself, I was thinking I could get hold of some plans for a 2.5m dinghy (or pram as I believe they are also known) and get it made up in the industrial estate by a local chippie. Just an idea.

We need one that will either fold like the Seahopper or nest, as we are ketch cutter rigged and don't have the storage space on deck other than under the mizzen. It needs to be able to house an outboard but have excellent rowing properties. Big enough to do the weekly shopping but small enough for two people to manage lifting onto deck.

Anyone have personal experience of easy-to-follow plans for such a thing? Any links you could provide?

Thanks for your time.
 
I've been thinking along the same lines, but would build it myself.
I have found Moray's site very useful and comprehensive for small boat plans:

http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/boatsearch.asp

and have almost decided on Ian Oughtred's Auk, although whether I have to go for the alterations discussed by the Perryman's in their CB article on building one time will tell.
I'll be interested to hear what others think is the ideal proper tender.
 
My nesting dinghy was built by my son to Chameleon plans by naval architect and sailor Danny Greene who lives in Bermuda. It rows beautifully and will take a sail or small outboard. LOA is 10 ft 4 in when assembled, and 5 ft 4 in when the two pieces are nested and stowed on deck. Greene has experimented with several nesting dinghy designs and says this is the best of them. Details are available on
www.duckworksmagazine.com/04/s/designs/greene/cham/index.cfm
 
I will second the endorsement for Danny Greene's Chameleon - I built a smaller version (7' 6" long, as I wanted to avoid butt straps in the plywood) that nests in 4' of length, and it rows beautifully - the bigger Chameleon would be proportionately better all round I am sure.
Here is another Chameleon link http://www.yachtvalhalla.net/gecko/gecko.html
And I posted various links to other dinghies on Queenie's recent thread re folding dinghies.
 
Fortunately my son had the necessary tools in his own shop (and the skills) to avoid using butt straps. Instead he scarfed the plywood joints.
 
Well I have been on the sites relating to Chameleon, and it looks great.Only thing is I've tried to e-mail Danny Green and got no reply. Does anyone have an up to date e-mail address, or any idea where I can get the plans.
 
TQA said:
You are responding to a seven year old thread.
Click to expand...

Yes, I realise that, but for my purposes and possibly others the subject is still active.
If you do a Google search for "nesting dinghy kit" you will find this thread and the fact it is entitled " Best DIY folding/nesting dinghy kit" will attract attention.

Since it took me some time to find Danny Greene's email address I thought it might be useful to post it for future readers of this thread.
 
I have just received my plans from Danny. Very prompt service and some beautiful stamps fom Bermuda on the envelope. I will post some pictures when I get around to building it.
 
Built a chameleon from Dannys plans a couple of years ago don't skimp cloth inside and out and use epoxy , you will end up with a cracking tender! One up it planes with a 3.5 hp but I just tend to row ( it's quick) John
 
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