I bought one and I'm very happy. I didn't buy the canopy or the sail-kit, but I wish I had. The outboard motor purchase was a waste, since it rows nearly as well without it. (The displacement hull simply will not plane.) The sail-kit would have been a much better choice. The boat looks like you could car-top it... you can't. It's too heavy. It's also not good as a whitewater river craft, since it has a rock-catching keel. It is however very good for what it was intended for and perhaps the most seaworthy boat ever? (I'm serious) It could cross any ocean anytime. I don't think being hit by a big container ship would sink it...(it would just shove it to one side.) Any volunteers to test that? Dave should be very proud of his creation.
I can't think of a more well thought out and very well built emergency tender than this. The advantages that this boat offers are incomparable to anything else available. I would confidently rely on this as my lifeboat, I can't think of any better!
The company is ran by the inventor and his wife. Small companies tend to be about passion before profit. It's how we end up with higher quality and unique equipment. Thank you for your comment.
I am going to buy one I was looking at the walker bay dinghy for a sailing thingy but they don't make it anymore I tell you you got my business and it's even better than the Walker Bay that ever was
In open water, a 16 foot great white can easily flip this life raft over then you’re in trouble with that bite-through canopy that’s not sealed. Get an Ovatek, it’s an actual sealed, enclosed lifeboat style life raft that would offer full protection against that 16 foot great white in open water.
Maybe we should row the Pudgy around Stewart Island, New Zealand and see what happens! Although, I think the shark needs to be larger than 16’? Ovatek? Lets see, $9,000 usd or $2,000...The Portland Pudgy is a better price. Fun comment. Thank you.
@@yarpenzigrin1893 "...and eat less..."? You did read the part where I mentioned being 6'8"? 18 shoe and ring size isn't because I eat too much. It's because I am just a big dude. But thanks for the well thought out reply. Very helpful.
@@firegiants1812 You mean you aren't overweight, you're a bodybuilder? In that case disregard my my advice on nutrition. This boat will be fine for you if you use it alone. If you plan on taking more passengers with you look for a larger vessel.
Unlikely the chute would be mistaken as a food source. Sharks tend to be nervous around the parachute anchor, because it’s something different. They will circle the parachute anchor due to bad eye sight, since the shark isn’t smelling food. The whole idea is to avoid injury. However, Fiorentino had one customer claim a big chunk of tuna floated inside a small parachute and a shark proceeded to shred the parachute. If you chum the water with fish parts, then you might excite some sharks to eat a lot of different things.
I bought one and I'm very happy. I didn't buy the canopy or the sail-kit, but I wish I had. The outboard motor purchase was a waste, since it rows nearly as well without it. (The displacement hull simply will not plane.) The sail-kit would have been a much better choice. The boat looks like you could car-top it... you can't. It's too heavy. It's also not good as a whitewater river craft, since it has a rock-catching keel.
It is however very good for what it was intended for and perhaps the most seaworthy boat ever? (I'm serious) It could cross any ocean anytime. I don't think being hit by a big container ship would sink it...(it would just shove it to one side.) Any volunteers to test that?
Dave should be very proud of his creation.
The Pudgy is definitely seaworthy. Thank you for your perspective.
I can't think of a more well thought out and very well built emergency tender than this.
The advantages that this boat offers are incomparable to anything else available.
I would confidently rely on this as my lifeboat, I can't think of any better!
The company is ran by the inventor and his wife. Small companies tend to be about passion before profit. It's how we end up with higher quality and unique equipment. Thank you for your comment.
I am going to buy one I was looking at the walker bay dinghy for a sailing thingy but they don't make it anymore I tell you you got my business and it's even better than the Walker Bay that ever was
The Pudgy is built out of passion, not profit. Big difference between small companies compared to large corporations. Thank you for your comment.
In open water, a 16 foot great white can easily flip this life raft over then you’re in trouble with that bite-through canopy that’s not sealed. Get an Ovatek, it’s an actual sealed, enclosed lifeboat style life raft that would offer full protection against that 16 foot great white in open water.
Maybe we should row the Pudgy around Stewart Island, New Zealand and see what happens! Although, I think the shark needs to be larger than 16’? Ovatek? Lets see, $9,000 usd or $2,000...The Portland Pudgy is a better price. Fun comment. Thank you.
Super idea!
Thank you.
Do you have larger size dinghies?
The Portland Pudgy only has one size: portlandpudgy.com/portland-pudgy-dinghy-dimensional-drawings/
Well a 275 pound dude is great and all, but I go about 470 and am just 1 foot exactly shorter than this boat. Is it THAT stable?
Add a couple of pillows and you’ll sleep like a baby. Thank you for your comment.
470 pounds? You're in far more risk of dying of heart attack than drowning, dude.
@@yarpenzigrin1893 Probably, but at my height that is already a heightened risk.
@@yarpenzigrin1893 "...and eat less..."? You did read the part where I mentioned being 6'8"? 18 shoe and ring size isn't because I eat too much. It's because I am just a big dude. But thanks for the well thought out reply. Very helpful.
@@firegiants1812 You mean you aren't overweight, you're a bodybuilder? In that case disregard my my advice on nutrition. This boat will be fine for you if you use it alone. If you plan on taking more passengers with you look for a larger vessel.
And the best part it's made in Maine the good old USA
There's only a few of made in the USA manufacturers left. Extinction is likely so purchase while you can.
Dumb question: But is is possible that a marine animal could mistake the anchor as a food source? Kinda looks like an octopus.
Unlikely the chute would be mistaken as a food source. Sharks tend to be nervous around the parachute anchor, because it’s something different. They will circle the parachute anchor due to bad eye sight, since the shark isn’t smelling food. The whole idea is to avoid injury. However, Fiorentino had one customer claim a big chunk of tuna floated inside a small parachute and a shark proceeded to shred the parachute. If you chum the water with fish parts, then you might excite some sharks to eat a lot of different things.