Port Townsend Watercraft BLOG

The PT 11 is known as a “nesting dinghy” and while many people know what that means, many again, do not. It is easy to explain that the boat can be separated into two parts, and the bow half ‘nests’ in the aft half, making it possible to own a relatively large dinghy that will store in a relatively small space, such as, on the deck of your boat. I had assumed that the term “nesting dinghy” referred to exactly that.  In our circle of boats and dinghies, it does, but is it the right  term?

The internet provides lots of definitions that all begin with the base word NEST. My 4” thick Random House Dictionary of the English Language defines “nest” in the 9th definition as,”to fit or place one within another”... Or the 12th: “ to fit together or within another or one another..” This definition works until I get asked if it means that one or more of our dinghies stack well. The fact that the dinghy comes apart into two ‘nestable’ parts, is left out of the equation.  The word “nesting” is not even in this big dictionary. It is online and I kind of like this one lonley meaning for the word even if it is related only in an abstract manner ;
nesting
— adj, nesting  (ˈnɛstɪŋ)
 — n
the tendency to arrange one's immediate surroundings, such as a work station, to create a place where one feels secure, comfortable, or in control.

I have also had people ask me about our “nester”.  Looking up the definitions for this was interesting. In my big old dictionary,  “Nestor” is the wisest and oldest of the Greeks in the Trojan War. In the urban dictionary online however, see this screen shot:

But that is nestor with “or” and I usually get “nester” with “er”.  “Nester”  is not in my dictionary but it is online and not exactly fitting. Look at the urban dictionary definition too. This was new to me! You can be sure I will refrain from casually using the word “nester” when talking about our beautiful dinghy. 😉

Urban definition:

I think, after this belated study on this terminology when related to the PT 11, we can settle on something closer to the following: The PT Eleven is an 11 ft,  two part dinghy with nestable parts that store in a 6ft by 4ft 2 inch by 20 inch space.

You probably know where to find more info on our PT Eleven nestable dinghy kit and if not, click HERE.

Have you seen our Youtube channel?

Thank you for following! PTW 😉
More NEST definitions. (I deleted the bird and insect references...)
nest
noun
...
4.
a snug retreat or refuge; resting place; home.
5.
an assemblage of things lying or set close together, as a series of boxes or trays, that fit within each other: a nest of tables.

verb (used with object)
8.
to settle or place (something) in or as if in a nest: to nest dishes in straw.
9.
to fit or place one within another: to nest boxes for more compact storage.
verb (used without object)
...
11.
to settle in or as if in a nest.
12.
to fit together or within another or one another: bowls that nest easily for storage.
...
Origin:
before 900; Middle English, Old English  (cognate with Dutch, German nest;  akin to Latin nīdus  nest, Old Irish net, Welsh nyth, Sanskrit nīḍa  lair) ≪ Indo-European *nizdo-  bird's nest, equivalent to *ni  down (see nether) + *zd-,  variant of *sd-,  ablaut variant of *sed-,  v. base meaning “sit” (see sit) + *-o-  theme vowel

Related forms
nest·a·ble, adjective
nest·er, noun
nest·like, adjective
nest·y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2014.