It's only another boat . . .

[Searush]

I have just acquired a "Stowaway" folding dinghy. SWMBO will be livid when she finds out.

It is the canvas & alloy strut model that folds into a parcel about 2x3x4 feet. It is very light - about 10-15kg so I can lift it easily. I thought I would find a thousand google references to it, but can't find any. The current Stowaway is a wooden sailing dinghy & very different from this boxy coracle like contraption. It came with toy paddles, but I'm sure I have a set of wooden jointed oars in the garage somewhere & it has a built in outboard bracket which would probably take a 2-3hp motor.

Any one else got something like this, ideally a user manual or web link would be nice, but just a few comments about its use would be nice. It seems an interesting alternative to a rubber duck & is much lighter, which is increasingly important as my ancient carcase slowly rots away.

I reckon I could chuck it in the top box of my M/H with the old Seagull for when I go Land Cruising.

 

[Zen Zero]

Please can we see some photos?

 

[Searush]

Please can we see some photos?

I knew you'd ask that. It's sleeting out there, so bugger orf. Maybe later. Just think upside down roadmender's tent & you won't be far off. It is very square & boxy with a couple of plastic boxs that make up the centre rowing thwart & canvas sling seats across the bow & stern IIRC. It's all folded up now so I could get it home.

Here's one folded up in the back of a car, mine happens to be blue;

Info related to that picture;

Manufacturer Vango (Scotland) Ltd

Date 1980 (ca)

Description; 'Stowaway' folding dinghy made from woven polyester-reinforced PVC with aluminium frame. Designed by Jean Raymond and made by Vango (Scotland) Ltd., a Design Council Award winner, 1980. Shown folded away within its PVC case in boot of car.

Cultural Context British, Scottish

Subject boats, dinghies, vehicles, watercraft

Material aluminium, plastic, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, textile

And unfolded (Even the right colour)

 

[Tranona]

Vaguely remember them when they were new. Seem to have disappeared without trace, so shows that a Design Council Award does not necessarily result in commercial success! Bet its a pig to row.

 

[Zen Zero]

Lovely! I want one too!

It looks like it might be quite difficult to get into, stay in and get out of when getting out is needed.

 

[dylanwinter]

PNM

on-line support group

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/poly-navicular-morbus-too-many-boats-disease/

Dr Dyl

 

[Skylark]

After a beach bbq and pleasant evening with the bourgeois of Holyhead and the proletariat of those from the Straits, I have this picture in my head of you rowing into the sunset, gradually sinking as your new tender slowly fills with water.

 

[Searush]

After a beach bbq and pleasant evening with the bourgeois of Holyhead and the proletariat of those from the Straits, I have this picture in my head of you rowing into the sunset, gradually sinking as your new tender slowly fills with water.

I have no intention of letting that get anywhere near you shower!

As you imply, a quick stab with a sharp stick would be seen as a spiffing jape by you load of alcoholic senile delinquents! I shall have to get Colleen to keep an eye on you for me!

My current plan, should I decide to keep it, is to carry it & the Seagull in the topbox of the motorhome along with a carefully packed hand line & feathers trace, assuming the Icelanders actually leave us any Mackerel for next season.

 

[TSB240]

I have no intention of letting that get anywhere near you shower! A sharp stick would be seen as a spiffing jape by you load of alcoholic senile delinquents!

I reckon i could fit a couple of 1000w lumishores and a battery whilst your back was turned!

Just think of the marine life you would attract to your dangling feathers....

 

[Zagato]

Tender - yeah right! About time you had a bath Rushy, soaps in the post, watch your beard on those bath candles though! Anyone else got soap, one bar may not do it with all the swearing going on up their - or is that just the local dialect!

 

[Tepee]

Vango Stowaway - I miss it!

Hello. Just came across this by accident, and guess what - I used to have one of these years ago. It was the yellow one, exactly like in the picture, and came with the pair of two-piece aluminium, collapsible oars as shown. I bought it in the late 70's new. I sold it though, many years ago when I bought a canoe. I believe I may still have the instructions that came with it. Surprisingly not difficult to get in and out of - the trick was to step directly onto the seat box, and then place one foot onto the central alloy strut. Wife and I had lots of fun with this boat - we even took it with us on a coach trip to the seaside! Feel free to email me direct on scamp801@btopenworld.com if you would like a photocopy/scan

Neil

I have just acquired a "Stowaway" folding dinghy. SWMBO will be livid when she finds out.

It is the canvas & alloy strut model that folds into a parcel about 2x3x4 feet. It is very light - about 10-15kg so I can lift it easily. I thought I would find a thousand google references to it, but can't find any. The current Stowaway is a wooden sailing dinghy & very different from this boxy coracle like contraption. It came with toy paddles, but I'm sure I have a set of wooden jointed oars in the garage somewhere & it has a built in outboard bracket which would probably take a 2-3hp motor.

Any one else got something like this, ideally a user manual or web link would be nice, but just a few comments about its use would be nice. It seems an interesting alternative to a rubber duck & is much lighter, which is increasingly important as my ancient carcase slowly rots away.

I reckon I could chuck it in the top box of my M/H with the old Seagull for when I go Land Cruising.

 

[daviddb]

Here's one folded up in the back of a car, mine happens to be blue;

Hellfire! Is that a Renault 16? Man of class, hats doffed etc etc......

toodlepip!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Apropos of not very much at all Vango is (was?) well known as a manufacturer of tents and assorted outdoorish sort of stuff.

 

[Romeo]

Might come in handy on some high streets on the East Coast of England around high tide this afternoon.

 

[mainsail1]

Looks like a 'young mans boat' to me. Best place for it is Ebay.

 

[Swanrad2]

Looks like a 'young mans boat' to me. Best place for it is Ebay.

Giving up e bay due to pressure from the Mrs after accidentally buying a(nother) dinghy. I meant to bid £2.51 on the off chance, I really did - decimal points are slippery little fellas on iPads.