One of the questions I often get is if it is possible to sleep onboard the PT Skiff. My answer is YES.
When we went camp cruising, here is what we figured out in case a campsite ashore was not available. I finally set it up again and took a few snapshots.

We fit a piece of aluminum tube that hangs with lines attached to the gussets as a way of supporting the grates.
The tube hooks on for quick assembly and stows easily in the forward storage.
We then put the grates from the aft cockpit across as a platform.
A Therma-rest / air mattress and sleeping bag have plenty of room on this platform.
Two Therma-rests can also be sufficiently supported by shifting the grates a little further apart at the middle seat.

Another arrangement is to put single mats on the grates in the aft cockpit. The grates are 6ft 3” long.

Mattresses on the grates in the aft cockpit

We felt like our idea for sleeping aboard allowed for the least amount of additional equipment and was a very lightweight solution. We used our tent’s rain-fly as a forward cover and I will post some pictures of that in the near future. A canvas dodger would also provide cover for the front and a tarp or canvas shade could provide cover for the back.  AEB

On March 5th, we unofficially joined in the 20th Annual Shipwrights Regatta in the nesting dinghy with a rig borrowed from a previous prototype.  We started out of the harbor in a light shower and extremely light winds but the sun actually showed its warming face between clouds for the better part of the afternoon. Russell and I missed the skipper’s meeting but the committee graciously said we could join in.

Nesting Dinghy on at the finish line
Big thanks to Craig Wester for this photo.

We took off on the third start after the racing and cruising boats with 4 other inshore boats and then took the long course instead of the short course for lack of better directions. There appeared to be a lot of confusion on what the course was so we went after the bigger boats. It was our good fortune to see when the lead boats hit contrary current and a no wind zone at the same time and we were able to skirt around at a totally comfortable pace.  We actually managed to be the second boat around the first mark even though we (along with a couple others) passed the bell on the wrong side...  oops.We rounded the second mark amongst the lead boats and then hit some glassy water of our own just before the finish line.

After rounding the second mark

It turned out to be a fun and relaxing day and we were happily surprised about the way the Nesting dinghy performed. Can’t wait to get out there in more wind and see what happens.
Some pictures follow and the link to the PTSA race report. See side bar..

in the bow of the Nesting Dinghy

"CRUSOE"

Nesting dinghy in Shipwright's Regatta A little video clip...

We are back in PT after an interesting, albeit wet, trip to California with the nesting dinghy prototype. We arrived just in time to catch the downpour that lasted nearly a week while the cold and rain we left in Washington turned to sunshine.
We made the best of it by visiting a few brilliant and dear people who shared their enthusiasm and their wisdom about boats, business and the nesting dinghy.

On the first clear day we put the boat in the water in Monterey and rowed out of the marina, There were some swells piling up on the other side of the pier so Russell dropped me off and joined a paddle boarder and a young surfer to catch a few. I managed to get a couple of short videos.  On another day we got the boat in the water in San Francisco with a friend of ours and set up a borrowed sailing rig. Unfortunately it was dead calm and we had to get back on the road and over the mountains before the next snow set in. It’s all in this clip: Surfing the nesting dinghy prototype

Now back in PT, Russell continues the design work in earnest to make it all work as close to his ideals as can be AND as a kit. The sailing and small outboard options directly affect the basic kit components and have to be essentially clear before we can cut the ‘final’ version of the 11’ model.
The Shipwright’s Regatta in Port Townsend is happening this Saturday, weather permitting, and we plan to be on the water sailing the nesting dinghy. See you there or here when we post again. A few photos follow...AEB

PT Watercraft
Our Nesting dinghy packed into the back of our little Toyota truck.
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We traveled with all our camping gear in there too. The truck got caked in dirty slosh coming over the mountains.
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Discussing the boat with Dick Newick
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John & Michel Marples
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Brian Clark & Anne Cooper