Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
Anybody got one of these?
- Are they easy to handle/assemble?
- Do they leak? At all?
- Well built?
Thanks
- Are they easy to handle/assemble?
- Do they leak? At all?
- Well built?
Thanks
Nestaway dinghy
- Thread starter Koeketiene
- Start date
rob2
Well-Known Member
I've seen the Trio at SBS and spoke with the manufacturer. He's a very practical bloke and happily chatted about the design and details that make it work, such as how the sections are fastened together with andaluces (less wear, better alignment and much faster than bolts). The bulkheads come well above the waterline, so there's no reason for them to leak. The workmanship on the demonstrator was certainly good, with no flimsy decorative bits, yet not looking blunt or plain workmanlike.
Rob.
Rob.
CornishSailor
Well-Known Member
We are excitedly awaiting delivery of our Nestaway (pram version), which should be in the next week or so.
Ian Thomson from Nestaway has been extremely helpful and informative throughout our enquiry and order process as he is keen to ensure each customer has the right dinghy/tender solution for them, making any minor modifications required. We chose the new and slightly more expensive carbon fibre version as the weight difference will make our new cruising lifestyle so much easier. The glassfibre model we gave a "test row" performed magnificently as we rowed it in a good chop to windward in about F5. No leaks, supremely easy to assemble and handle and all superb quality workmanship. We can let you know more once we take delivery of ours. We'll undoubtedly have pictures and updates on our website www.yachtpipit.com too!
Ann
Ian Thomson from Nestaway has been extremely helpful and informative throughout our enquiry and order process as he is keen to ensure each customer has the right dinghy/tender solution for them, making any minor modifications required. We chose the new and slightly more expensive carbon fibre version as the weight difference will make our new cruising lifestyle so much easier. The glassfibre model we gave a "test row" performed magnificently as we rowed it in a good chop to windward in about F5. No leaks, supremely easy to assemble and handle and all superb quality workmanship. We can let you know more once we take delivery of ours. We'll undoubtedly have pictures and updates on our website www.yachtpipit.com too!
Ann
nestawayboats
Well-Known Member
I am the founder/director of Nestaway Boats. Hope this does not contravene forum rules and I will try to leave off my sales hat.
In answer to the original poster's questions:
(1) Are they easy to handle/assemble?
To assemble our nesting pram or stem dinghies you take the bow section out of the stern (or stern off the bow if upside down on deck etc), turn it round, hook it together for alignment, insert the ring bolts and do up. The ring bolts have sufficient leverage that no tools are required, and the female threaded component is permanently attached to the boat, so there are no nuts etc to lose. The whole process takes about two minutes. As CornishSailor points out, we are now optionally building them in foam-cored carbon/aramid (Kevlar) fibre, weighing as little as 32kg in total (depends on spec); the bow then only weighs approx 13kg, so it is more than possible to put whole boat together singlehanded. The easiest way to launch the assembled boat seems to be on a halyard to the painter eye, lift her up vertically over the lifelines and lower her into the water stern first. She may scoop a pint or so if not strategically pushed but you soon learn to do this. You could of course rig up a sling but it's not really necessary.
(2) Do they leak? At all?
We have been playing with the nesting dinghy concept for about 10 years now. There were several prototypes along the way and we decided not to rely on a "seal" at the joint. Inevitably they deteriorate or you get sand in them or something. Instead we use bulkheads at the joints, tops of which are way above the loaded waterline, so effectively you are joining two small boats together as one useful one. Obviously if you overload the boat significantly above recommended capacity it will start flooding at the joint, but by then it would also be flooding through the daggerboard case. The cutaways are designed such that in extremis when heeled water will come in over the gunwhale, before flooding at the joint. That only leaves the bolt or bolts below the waterline, which are fitted with (easy-to-replace) rubber seals, preventing the slow drip that might come through once they are done up.
(3) Well-built?
We use good quality materials and several custom fittings. We know they are not cheap to buy but having been a "liveaboard" myself I decided we would not try for the bottom of the market, where we would have to cut corners.
I hope that helps. You are welcome (by appointment but with no purchase obligation) to come and try the boats near where we build them (Christchurch, Dorset), and can see them at most of the UK boat shows.
We do not claim nesting or sectional boats are a new idea, but modern materials do mean that we can make them weight-competitive with good quality inflatables etc.
I would welcome further questions on this forum. You can also contact me personally by email (mail@nestawayboats.com) or telephone (07768 600595).
Ian Thomson
Director, Nestaway Boats Ltd
In answer to the original poster's questions:
(1) Are they easy to handle/assemble?
To assemble our nesting pram or stem dinghies you take the bow section out of the stern (or stern off the bow if upside down on deck etc), turn it round, hook it together for alignment, insert the ring bolts and do up. The ring bolts have sufficient leverage that no tools are required, and the female threaded component is permanently attached to the boat, so there are no nuts etc to lose. The whole process takes about two minutes. As CornishSailor points out, we are now optionally building them in foam-cored carbon/aramid (Kevlar) fibre, weighing as little as 32kg in total (depends on spec); the bow then only weighs approx 13kg, so it is more than possible to put whole boat together singlehanded. The easiest way to launch the assembled boat seems to be on a halyard to the painter eye, lift her up vertically over the lifelines and lower her into the water stern first. She may scoop a pint or so if not strategically pushed but you soon learn to do this. You could of course rig up a sling but it's not really necessary.
(2) Do they leak? At all?
We have been playing with the nesting dinghy concept for about 10 years now. There were several prototypes along the way and we decided not to rely on a "seal" at the joint. Inevitably they deteriorate or you get sand in them or something. Instead we use bulkheads at the joints, tops of which are way above the loaded waterline, so effectively you are joining two small boats together as one useful one. Obviously if you overload the boat significantly above recommended capacity it will start flooding at the joint, but by then it would also be flooding through the daggerboard case. The cutaways are designed such that in extremis when heeled water will come in over the gunwhale, before flooding at the joint. That only leaves the bolt or bolts below the waterline, which are fitted with (easy-to-replace) rubber seals, preventing the slow drip that might come through once they are done up.
(3) Well-built?
We use good quality materials and several custom fittings. We know they are not cheap to buy but having been a "liveaboard" myself I decided we would not try for the bottom of the market, where we would have to cut corners.
I hope that helps. You are welcome (by appointment but with no purchase obligation) to come and try the boats near where we build them (Christchurch, Dorset), and can see them at most of the UK boat shows.
We do not claim nesting or sectional boats are a new idea, but modern materials do mean that we can make them weight-competitive with good quality inflatables etc.
I would welcome further questions on this forum. You can also contact me personally by email (mail@nestawayboats.com) or telephone (07768 600595).
Ian Thomson
Director, Nestaway Boats Ltd
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
Thank you for your very informative and down-to-earth reply.
I will make a point of seeing you at the earliest possible opportunity - either in Dorset or at a boat show.
idpnd
Well-Known Member
Thanks Ian, do you do discounts for poor students at all? Alternatively, has anyone got a rotting one they want to get rid of? 
ianabc
Well-Known Member
Nesting dinghy...
David Gerr's book The Nature of Boats, (well worth the price), has a free full plan for his "Nester" 10 foot two part nesting dinghy.
David Gerr's book The Nature of Boats, (well worth the price), has a free full plan for his "Nester" 10 foot two part nesting dinghy.
barnaclephill
Well-Known Member
You can build a similar nesting dinghy. The 'catspaw' and 'spindrift' models from here: http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/spin.htm row and sail very nicely. I've built the 9 foot spindrift nesting one. Maximum 40ish hours to make, quality is up to you. I've had about 1 litre per come into it, but adding sponge rubber/foam should stop all leaks. Assembly about 2 minutes (5 bolts, and the centre thwart). Can diss/assemble underway (on a calmish lake).
idpnd
Well-Known Member
Thanks very much! 