The fun boat that could save your life Frequently

The fun boat that could save your life
"I just purchased a 1977 Downeaster 38... She is a beauty. The thing is, whenever anyone walks by, the
first thing they notice is the bright yellow Portland Pudgy. 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’. I am
starting to sound like a sales rep for your company. We love our Portland Pudgy and highly recommend
it to anyone…" Michael Sturn, Phoenix, AZ
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing a Safety Boat/Dinghy
Why would I want a Pudgy instead of a standard dinghy?
The Portland Pudgy (patent pending) addresses the issue of abandoning ship. It is unsinkable and has very
high flotation even if swamped. It’s stable, lightweight, and tough. It has lots of storage space. It lets you use
a long or short shaft motor (you simply stow the motor mount not in use in its under-the-seat storage slot).
It tows well. It rows easily. It sails beautifully. Its stability and ease of handling make it a great boat for kids
and a good work deck. It integrates with sophisticated safety and survival equipment (including exposure
canopy, sea anchor, and sailing kit).
Portland Pudgy Inc. 48 Tyng Street, Portland, ME 04102
207.761.2428 dhulbert@maine.rr.com www.portlandpudgy.com
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Is the Pudgy a good family boat?
The Pudgy is a great family boat because of its
stability, buoyancy, ease of handling, lightness,
durability and storage space. Although designed as a
survival dinghy for blue water sailors, it's easy and fun
to sail, and rows and motors well. It's unsinkable and
difficult to capsize, making it a great boat for kids and
a good platform for fishing.
How many people can the Pudgy carry and with
what size motor?
The boat complies with US Coast Guard safety
standards as follows:
• With no motor: 4 persons or 512 lb (persons
and gear)
• 2 HP motor: 4 persons or 435 lb (persons and gear)
Why would I want a Pudgy instead of an inflatable?
The Pudgy is rigid, puncture-resistant, durable, and doesn’t need to inflate. It rows and tows beautifully. It
motors well, and it can be used as a sailboat. It’s aesthetically pleasing, and it has lots of storage space.
Why would I want a Pudgy instead of a life raft?
The Pudgy is pro-active—instead of forcing you to sit and wait for rescue, it gives you the option of sailing,
rowing, or motoring to shipping lanes or safety. It’s rigid, puncture-resistant, and durable, doesn’t need to
inflate in an emergency, and doesn’t need expensive maintenance.
Is the Portland Pudgy as stable as a life raft?
It is comparable in stability to many four-person life rafts. It is not as stable as some life rafts such as those
with deep water hemispherical ballast chambers, which are designed to be static in the water. You can
choose to use the Pudgy's sea anchor, which will minimize drift and add stability. At the same time, the
Pudgy gives you the option of sailing, rowing, or motoring to safety when the weather has calmed. In April
2005, the Portland Pudgy was subjected to a heavy seas test in 12 foot breaking waves and passed with
flying colors. (For more info, visit Fiorentino Para Anchor at www.para-anchor.com/news.pudgy.html.)
Portland Pudgy Inc. 48 Tyng Street, Portland, ME 04102
207.761.2428 dhulbert@maine.rr.com www.portlandpudgy.com
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Does the boat automatically activate its features, such as sea anchor and exposure canopy?
The exposure canopy and sea anchor can be pre-set for emergency use. The exposure canopy will have the
option of inflating automatically.
Is it self-righting with the exposure canopy?
At present, it is nearly impossible to capsize the boat with the canopy inflated. We are working on making it
self-righting when the canopy is inflated.
How is the Portland Pudgy a "self-contained
unit"?
All of the Pudgy's safety equipment and
accessories fit within the boat, and are stored
either in storage compartments within the hull or
under the rear seat. The mast telescopes down
and the sail furls around it, and they are stored
through the rear access hatch (see picture above).
The exposure canopy and sea anchor also fold up
and fit through the rear hatch. The lee boards and
whichever motor mount is not in use stow neatly
under the rear seat.
Is it stable with a sea anchor?
The sea anchor, a critical piece of survival equipment, is used to prevent drift, and to keep the boat heading
toward the wind in severe weather conditions. It is attached to a bridle, which in turn is attached to two
tow-eyes (instead of one). This distributes the weight and pull of the boat and adds stability.
Does the Pudgy resolve all safety issues that I might encounter in boating?
No. There is no vessel that solves all problems that can arise at sea. Each type of safety vessel has its own
strong points. You must use your own judgment in choosing the one that's right for you.
Transporting the Pudgy
Does the Pudgy tow well?
Yes. Two features make it easy to tow. First, it has a long keel, which makes it track well. Second, it has two
tow-eyes (instead of a single one) which attach to a bridle, which in turn attaches to the tow line. The bridle
adds stability and minimizes yaw. It also floats high and therefore has minimal transom drag.
Portland Pudgy Inc. 48 Tyng Street, Portland, ME 04102
207.761.2428 dhulbert@maine.rr.com www.portlandpudgy.com
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How do I carry the Portland Pudgy for blue water sailing?
The Portland Pudgy can be strapped on top of the deck or cabin, or carried on davits. The boat can be
strapped down with heavy line, either using the four through-holes near the gunwale, or the two handholds
in the keel.
What about land transportation?
At about 125 lb, the Pudgy is easy to carry. It has a wheel in the keel for rolling the boat. It fits in many
station wagons and vans or on the roof of your car.
Specifications and Technical Questions
What colors are available?
The Pudgy comes in safety yellow, red, international orange, and warm white. Additional custom colors
may be available on request. The warm white looks great and the colors do too. They make it easy to spot
your boat, whether at sea or in a marina full of white dinghies. The sail is available in white or orange. The
exposure canopy is orange.
What are the Portland Pudgy's dimensions?
Length: 7'-8 ½", Width: 4'-5 ½", Height: 2'-2".
What does the Pudgy weigh?
The basic boat (including seats, motor mounts, and hardware) weighs about 125 lb. With all equipment and
accessories (sailing rig, exposure canopy, sea anchor, etc.) it weighs about 160 lb.
Why is the Portland Pudgy so small?
It is designed to be of manageable weight and to fit on the foredeck of many sailing and motor boats.
Portland Pudgy Inc. 48 Tyng Street, Portland, ME 04102
207.761.2428 dhulbert@maine.rr.com www.portlandpudgy.com
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Why is the Portland Pudgy so big?
The Pudgy is designed to be buoyant, stable, and roomy inside. It has 16.1 square feet of floor space (16
square feet is the USCG recommendation for a four-person life raft).
Why is the Portland Pudgy rotation-molded polyethylene?
The polyethylene is tough, durable, and is resistant to deterioration or puncture. At the same time, the
material has flex, which gives it greater impact resistance than fiberglass for the same weight. The
polyethylene, which is inherently buoyant, is formed as a double hull, the lower portion of which is filled
with closed-cell foam (see cross section drawing on previous page).
What is the Portland Pudgy’s buoyancy?
The Pudgy holds 600 lb, with 8” of freeboard. It takes about 1875 lb of pressure to submerge the boat.
What gives
buoyancy?
the
Pudgy
its
The Pudgy is unsinkable because:
• The material it is made of,
polyethylene, is intrinsically
buoyant.
• The lower portion of the hull
is filled with closed-cell
foam.
• Air within the storage
compartments in the upper
portion of the double hull
adds more buoyancy.
Is the Pudgy self-bailing?
Yes, it is self-bailing when empty or
carrying up to about 30 lb of
equipment.
Is the boat self-righting?
Handholds and an optional foot rest
(patent
pending
multi-function
cylinder) can be used to easily roll the
boat to a righted position. (This is
the method used for righting most
inflatable life rafts.)
In righting, it scoops up very little
water—for a nearly dry boat—
because of its high flotation.
Portland Pudgy Inc. 48 Tyng Street, Portland, ME 04102
207.761.2428 dhulbert@maine.rr.com www.portlandpudgy.com
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Availability and Pricing
When will the Portland Pudgy be available?
The Pudgy with complete sailing rig is now available. We are working to make the exposure canopy
available this summer as well.
How much does it cost?
The basic boat is $1896.00, which includes a $100 pair of knock-down oars. See the portlandpudgy.com’s
Price List or call us for details and prices of accessories such as sailing rig, exposure canopy, etc.
How can I get a Portland Pudgy?
Contact us at: Portland Pudgy Inc., 48 Tyng Street, Portland, Maine 04102. Call 207.761.2428. E-mail David
Hulbert, President at dhulbert@maine.rr.com. For more information, visit our website at
www.portlandpudgy.com.
"Every so often a common product is revamped and
turned into something really new, and one wonders why
anyone hasn’t thought of this before. Such is the case
with industrial engineer David Hulbert who has created
a new and improved version of the dinghy. Please, raise
your glasses to the Portland Pudgy..."
Carey London, June 30th 2003, The Boating Channel.
"The trim little vessel…resembles a tubby
nutshell pram. It has pleasing lines and is as
carefully engineered as any high-end,
oceangoing yacht."
Adrift No More, a Lifeboat that Sails,
Twain Braden, March/April 2003,
Ocean Navigator
See article in May 2006 Soundings, A nautical Swiss Army knife that floats!
Portland Pudgy Inc. 48 Tyng Street, Portland, ME 04102
207.761.2428 dhulbert@maine.rr.com www.portlandpudgy.com
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