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Sailboat Fun Boat for Kids and the Whole Family |
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"We love our dingy...It has been instrumental in saving our boat when we ran aground because it rows so well in rough weather and can handle two 45 pound anchors being dropped in it for kedging off a reef. It is a real workboat built for real world conditions. It is incredibly stable...In the sailing we do a dingy can mean the difference between life or death, and this isn't in reference to the lifeboat abilities of the pudgy just its stability and durability.” Rolland T. (While sailing the Northwest Passage, up from MIchigan to Newfoundland and then over Canada and down the coast of Alaska, 2008-09.) *** [After saving a neighboring cruiser’s life] “I reached him just as he let go of the ladder [of his own yacht] and he became a dead weight on the back of my dingy. I had no choice but to try and haul him in over the stern and hoped that the dingy wouldn't swamp with our combined weight of almost 400 pounds in the back of the boat. The Pudgy performed perfectly, I got a hold of his belt and pulled him aboard without taking on any water at all. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least...Score one for the Portland Pudgy, the little boat that will save your life!” Don Q., Mexico, NY For more info on Pudgy safety boat, click here. For more info on Pudgy proactive lifeboat, click here. |
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Performance:
"Some
more positive feed back on the Pudgy. We love it! We live onboard our ketch...and my wife has taken to rowing it a mile or two every
day... I
have been impressed with the sailing ability of the boat, especially in heavy
winds... I haven't yet found the winds where capsize seems possible!"
***
"My wife and I are very
pleased with the Pudgy. With the center seat that flips forward to shift
my weight, we can row with my wife in the aft seat without the transom deep
in the water and the boat trimmed nicely. Having a white running light is
marvelous. It tows very, very well." ***
“Better performance characteristics in one package than any dinghy I've
seen...The best dinghy ever made!” ***
“The Portland Pudgy is a success…[It] has a lot of
capacity and does well in choppy conditions…Design and construction details
are impressive.” ***
“I'm impressed, it's
more stable than I expected and certainly more stable than my International
14 [sailing dinghy] and despite the chop on the bay this weekend it never took water over the
bow.” ***
"I went on vacation for a week and had a
chance to sail and power my Pudgy around. There is no dingy that does
everything perfectly, but the Pudgy comes closer than any other dingy I have
ever been on." |
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All-Around Great Boat: "The Pudgy rows beautifully, with
little effort..the Pudgy goes where she's pointed. Period. Like she's on
rails. No arguments or drama..."
Mitch Z., MD. For a detailed review, see his blog.
http://boneinitsteeth.blogspot.com/2012/04/portland-pudgy-first-impressions.html
“I've had lots of
interest shown about my new dinghy and have been happy to share all my
positive impressions about it....The boat has few limitations and is a
great addition for any cruiser to own.” ***
"Just wanted to let you know that after receiving and inspecting my new Pudgy
how impressed I am with its quality of construction and how every detail is
so well thought out. Now after having taken this little boat out a few times
for a row (not being a small man in weight or height ) its stabilty getting
on and off at the dock and its ease of rowing against tide and wind for good
distances is truly amazing. This little boat has in every way exceeded all
my expectations!!!! ***
"We have already used the
boat at the yacht club quite a bit and have had to show it to many members who
saw it on our sailboat and wanted to know all about it. Thanks for a wonderful
boat. " ***
“What a boat, very nice...I am very happy with it... Life is good on
the boat. Thank you again for all your help.” *** |
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“I am
the most popular slip in the marina (in San Diego) because of the
Pudgy. I enjoy sailing the Pudgy around the marina and the kids love to row
and fish from it. Whenever we are using it a crowd gathers and I am
bombarded with questions. The old salts ask about its stability, weight and
design and most everyone asks “where can we get one”...We love our Portland Pudgy and highly recommend
it to anyone.” *** "SUBJECT: My Pudgy (Tug) was a hit in the keys! Lots of inquiries
Thank you for making it available for the
trip!...We will be singing praises for the new boat!" ***
“We
are very pleased with the boat... I believe you have a winner here.” ***
“We
love the new Pudgy…You all win the contest on follow-up and customer
service. It's a pleasure to deal with your company...” ***
"The Pudgy arrived on Friday.
Attached is a photo of the happy crew!" [See above.] ***
"We picked up
our Pudgy and are very happy." ***
"Thanks for the prompt and
pleasant service. We're now ready to enjoy, and show off, the Pudgy."
*** |
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Towing and Carrying:
“We are
extremely pleased as to how "Pudgy" looks as if it were designed for our
Nordic tug.” ***
“We
have had a lot of inquiries about the Pudgy since we put it in the water
with the boat... It tows behind the boat
beautifully.” ***
“I spent about 500
miles towing my Pudgy. Never flipped over and towed very well. Takes a
lot of abuse. A very strong, forgiving dinghy. I have met a lot of people
who are tired of the air leaks and did like the Pudgy. It will last me a
very long time.” ***
"The Pudgy comes with a bridle hook up and is
very
stable when towed behind the Arima about 50 feet or so. Then when we get to
an island or other camp site where we don't want to beach the Arima we can
row in with the Pudgy. It is a great little boat, made in Portland,
Maine.."
***
"A dinghy on a dinghy thingy." Michael N., Austin, TX Click here for Ranger Tug owners' photos of their Portland Pudgies, mostly carried on platform davits. |
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Sailboat
“By the end of the weekend I felt I had a pretty good idea how the Pudgy would handle and was very pleased with our purchase. She kept me dry the entire time (I had some light spray hit my face a couple times while sailing) and my street clothes were completely presentable at the end of each voyage. Handling was superb.” Mitch Z., MD. For a detailed review of the Pudgy under sail and a video, see his blog: http://boneinitsteeth.blogspot.com/2012/04/portland-pudgy-sailing-impressions.html
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Fishing Boat:
“We couldn't be more pleased with the handling, stability and ‘fish-ability’ of our new boat...Well done!” Jim L., Huntington Beach, CA *** |
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“The best damn bass
boat in Arkansas.” Top of page For more info on Pudgy as a sports boat, click here. |
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Fun Boat for Kids and the Whole Family:
“My grand children
can row the Pudgy very well since the seat heights are in the correct
relationship with the oar and oarlocks which is critical for a starter. We
had a hard time getting them out of the Pudgy when it was time for them to
go home!” *** |
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"Our PP, the
O'Crumb being used for a bit of waterfall running at 76 Falls on Lake
Cumberland KY. More fun than a barrel of monkeys!" *** |
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“Sometimes words alone aren't enough,
so I added a few pictures as evidence of what you already know: that the
Pudgy - while certainly perfect for blue water -
also has the versatility to be enjoyed for simple recreation on small lakes
(and canals).” *** |
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If you are an inveterate gunkholer but your boat draws 3 feet or more you may be missing a big part of cruising solitude. A Portland Pudgy gives you a chance to discover your own spots on the water....The recipe is simple. - Put your copy of Proust or James Joyce in the Pudgy's water tight locker. - Go to some cut-rate sports store such as Academy or WalMart and buy a patio umbrella for about ten bucks. - Find an isolated cove and anchor the "big" boat. - Put the Pudgy overboard. Decide how far you want to wander. If it's close, row there. Further away select from 1. A trolling motor. 2. An outboard 3. Sailing, depending on the wind... - Anchor, or tie the Pudgy to a branch. - Mount the umbrella in the mast step and open the shade. - Stretch out by removing the center seat (of course you have PFD cushions and or a vest), and read the stuff you always wanted to but didn't have the environment.
Cool beverages may help. Sun block and DEET are prudent. A hand-held
vhf allows communication with the larger boat and allows one to hurl epithets at
stink-potters who make a wake too close to a small anchored boat. And behold,
the rebirth of your soul!
*** |
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TAKE HEART MY YANKEE BRETHREN! THE PUDGY WILL SET SAIL, A NOBLE CRAFT OF SHREWD DESIGN SHE’LL WEATHER EVERY GALE. PUDGY SEAWORTHY AND BEGGING ME TO TAKE HER OUT AGAIN. Bert O., Anniston, AL ***
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Pudgy Owners' Videos, Slideshows, and Websites: Portland Pudgy sailing on the Chesapeake Bay April 2012 Trying out the Portland Pudgy rowboat April 2012 Pudgy sailing video: NEW Sail Kit B.J. Porter: Pudgy sailing video Barry S., Washington: Slideshow of Pudgy motorboat Captain Murph's Rowing Sailing and Lifesaving Dinghy |
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