Couldn’t resist, but hey, they named it not me. The Portland Pudgy. I saw this pudgy little dinghy awhile ago in a sailing mag and it got my attention. I have yet to need a dinghy (stop it) but always thought it would be good to have one that doubles as a life raft. I remember the price seemed high (around $5,000) but I guess that would be the combined cost of an inflatable and liferaft. The company website says it’s rotation molded. It appears to be made of the same plastic kayaks are made from. I wonder how it holds up in the sun. It has a lot of cool features like a little wheel on the keel for dragging it across the beach or road. The PP site: http://www.portlandpudgy.com/
Addition:
I emailed Portland Pudgy to find out the cost of the boat. Base price of the boat runs approx. $2,100.
Here’s the reply from the David Hulbert:
“The Portland Pudgy is a “system” that has a lot to it. I have attached a new photo from Holland of a red Pudgy and a current price list with a list of components and accessories to give you an idea of how much is included on this unique boat, and what the other components are. All components of the system, sailing rig, oars, exposure canopy, etc. fit inside the large storage compartment of the sidewalls. We are making white, sunset yellow, red and dark green (camo). Bear in mind also that the boat is unsinkable, and if it were to capsize, which is difficult, it can be righted quite easily using the hand holds on the keel. But, the most significant feature is that the boat comes up dry and empty of water. In the cold waters of Maine sitting in a dry dinghy instead of a wet swamped dinghy can be life-saving. It is a tough boat that works for the blue water sailor as a life boat, as a sturdy service dinghy for sailboats or motorboats, and as a fun safe boat for kids and adults.
At this point we do not have dealerships, and subsequently can maintain a better price by avoiding their substantial mark-up. We ship from Maine and typically drop ship throughout the USA (with boats in Alaska), and Canada.”