The PT SPEAR is in production! See description below or go directly to the Chesapeake Light Craft PT SPEAR dinghy kit
This non-nesting version of the PT11, has fewer parts, making it a simpler boat to build and less costly a kit to produce. Dubbed "the PT SPEAR" for its arrow shaped foredeck (and to honor its its beta-builder), the biggest differences between the non nester and the nesting dinghy are in the interior geometry. The hull shape is the same as the nesting version.
PT SPEAR related blog posts HERE
The backseat is one full seat instead of divided as on the nesting version. While the prototypes had a back seat hatch, there is no hatch on the standard back seat due to the complexity (esp. baffles) that a hatch requires to create access to a very small area between important air buoyancy tanks. The back seat air buoyancy is sufficient to balance the air buoyancy in the bow, (forward of the mast step).
Air buoyancy as flotation is an important safety feature on this boat and the PT 11 nesting dinghy. The USCG has specific parameters for flotation when flooded and we have taken these seriously.
The Spear does not have a full foredeck. Scuppers from the forward wells through the main bulkhead are possible on the one piece version where they are not on the nesting version. A water tight hatch is located on the foredeck to access ample storage space here.
Besides these differences, the hull shape is identical to the nesting version and rowing and sailing performance will be the same. Many of the PT 11 Q&A's apply to the PT SPEAR.
