Way back in September we decided that since our family had suddenly doubled in size we would need a new dinghy. Unfortunately we wanted it all, something both big (enough for all 4 of us) and small (enough to be easily lifted and stored aboard), something cheap (in dollars) and high end (in construction). The laws of both physics and economics were against us. Nothing fit the bill until Doug got the idea that we would build a nesting dinghy. Genius! each half would be small but together it would be big and it would be a fun winter project. In the end it wasn’t cheap and although very strong, it has what we like to call a ‘workboat finish’ that no one would call ‘high end’, but we had fun and it’s done, two days before we move back aboard.

It’s a Chameleon designed by Danny Greene, 10’4″ overall with a beam of 4’2″ and 5’4″ long when nested. Ours doesn’t have a name yet, but I’m lobbying hard for Spruce Willis (it’s made mostly of spruce and epoxy), however other suggestions are welcome.

Here’s the pix:

Laying out the plywood pieces under careful supervision.

First few panels stitched together.

Hull all stitched up.

Coming together . . .

. . . and apart (‘we’re seriously going to cut all these hours of work in half?!’). Ever since this step the kids have been yelling ‘Cut Ningy!!’ whenever anyone gets out a knife or saw for any reason.

She nests!

Sanding, sanding (even a workboat finish needs too much sanding).

The finished aft half leaves the yard on our Echo/flatbed.

In water assembly.

She floats!

An offering to Neptune. Nyah and West’s expressions here capture their general Dinghy launch mood perfectly, I don’t think they managed their expectations well.