Reviews

Basic Specifications

Rugged Construction

Stability

Shallow Draw, Easy Portage

Roominess and Storage

Hunting

Night Fishing

Lobstering/Crabbing

Camping

Colors

Basic Boat and Optional Accessories

Fishing and Hunting Photo Gallery

Other pages
(Safety Dinghy FAQs, Detailed specs, Carrying, and more)

Fishing Boat / Workboat
Reviews

“We couldn't be more pleased with the handling, stability and ‘fish-ability’ of our new boat.” Jim L., CA

“The best damn bass boat in Arkansas.” Cecil F., Little Rock, AR

"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. We wouldn't use any other. 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 dinghy. I had no choice but to try and haul him in over the stern and hoped that the dinghy 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
Top of page

Basic Specs

LOA: 7’ 8”. Width: 4’ 4”.  Height: 2’ 4”. Weight: 128 lb.

Capacity: USCG-approved, 557 lb  (motor, passengers, and gear). 4 person, 2HP. (This is greater than most 10' boats.)

Material: Double hull of rotation-molded, rugged polyethylene. Closed cell foam under floor.
Click here for detailed specifications and information about materials and construction.
Top of page

Rugged Construction

The Portland Pudgy is made of rugged polyethylene that can take a beating (the same material that rugged ocean kayaks are made from).  It's filled with closed cell foam under the floor. Here's a quote from a Pudgy owner attesting to its ruggedness:

"We dragged our [Portland Pudgy] up on the rocks and left it there for the day...The material the hull is made out of can handle this kind of abuse, unlike our inflatable or our plywood dingy."   Rolland T., MI

For detailed information on the materials and construction as well as basic boat components, go to Detailed Specifications. 
Top of page

Stability

The Portland Pudgy rowboat or motorboat  is so stable you can stand in it and walk around in the cockpit. It's much more stable than a canoe or kayak, making it the perfect platform for hunting, fishing, and photography.

"It is a real workboat built for real world conditions. It is incredibly stable. We wouldn't use any other."  Rolland T., MI

Top of page

Shallow Draw, Easy Portage

The Portland Pudgy rowboat or motorboat can get in just about anywhere, because it is rugged, buoyant, and has very little draw. Its rounded chine lets it slide around rocks. Its grablines let you drag the Pudgy overland with ease.  It's lighter than boats of comparable capacity. It's quieter than wood or metal boats, too. 
Top of page

Roominess and Storage

Because of its broad beam and pram shape, the Portland Pudgy safety dinghy has as much interior cockpit space as many ten foot dinghies.

It also has loads of extra storage room in the compartments inside the walls of the boat. There's much more storage space than in ordinary dinghies or most aluminum boats under 10' feet, or in kayaks or canoes. 

You can stow all your gear and provisions through the watertight hatches. Even fishing rods, guns, tents, or camera tripods can be stowed in the hull storage chamber via the rear transom hatch. 

"I have found that my SR19 could use some more room for stuff when going boat camping.  My solution is to put extra stuff in our Portland Pudgy and tow it behind the Arima.  The Pudgy ... is very stable when towed behind the Arima about 50 feet or so.  Then when we get to an island or other camp site ... we can row in with the Pudgy." George K., WA     

Top of page

Hunting

The Pudgy is a stable platform for duck hunting, and is also a rugged boat for use in hunting bigger game.

"I shot a nice buck up the Patterson River and had to launch the Pudgy to get to it. The boat is so nice to be able to drag it down the beach and not worry about the barnacles ripping the bottom out.  We were hunting up next to the glacier in southeast Alaska.

The Pudgy is a great little stable boat.  It fits nicely in the back of the boat we used to get across Frederick Sound to go hunting.   I don't know if you want to use the pics of the first three deer I shuttled out to the bigger boat." Roy B., AK

Three deer, Frederick Sound, Alaska

Top of page

Night Fishing

The Portland Pudgy's optional electrical system illuminates the standard built-in compass, and features a Perko pole light, reading light (red for night vision) and an outlet for running a GPS, torch,  fish-finder, etc. The pole light stores inside, via  the rear transom hatch when not in use.  See Accessories List.   
Top of page

Lobstering and Crabbing

The Portland Pudgy rowboat or motorboat's stability and roominess make it ideal for small scale lobstering and crabbing.

Two large adults and three small kids, hauling in lobster traps. Casco Bay, Maine.   

Top of page

Camping

The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is a great camping boat. The boat is 7’8” long, and the interior cockpit is 6’2” in length. The cockpit area is 16.1 square feet, as much as many 10' boats. It's self-draining when carrying less than thirty lbs, so it stays dry. With a flat, insulated floor, and removable middle seat, you can even sleep inside it. Tent cover available.  
Top of page

Special Sportsman/ Fisherman Colors

What comes with the basic boat and what are the optional accessories?

For detailed information on the basic rowboat components, go to Detailed Specifications.

For detailed information on the optional accessories, go to Portland Pudgy Prices and Accessories.    
Top of page

Other pages:

Top of page (click)