any thoughts on this dink?

sailusvi · #1 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008

http://www.niccollslite.net/page2.html

has anyone seen one? owned one? I think it really has potential ...

JohnRPollard · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008

If I'm not mistaken, Valiente has one or has one on order, intended as a tender for an upcoming voyage.

camaraderie · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008

They are going out of business in May so get your order in now!

sailusvi · #4 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008

cam, what makes you say that?

camaraderie · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008

USVI...

...

"But, it's just about time for me to retire. The NN10-II will be built until May 2008 with the same care and attention as always.

The company is currently being offered for sale. All reasonable offers, that ensure an on going quality product, will be considered. The NN10 has come of age as a world class 10' dinghy that does it all. It's time for her to be seen in every marina and bay world-wide."

http://www.niccollslite.net/

Valiente · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008

Yes, I got one, but the ice in the harbour hasn't allowed me to test it yet. Read my impressions at www.alchemy2009.blogspot.com .

I'm pretty happy with how it goes together, if that's a help, and Barry N. was quite easy to deal with. Apparently, I'm the first Ontarian to own one. I got the sailing package and have a Honda 2HP on order for it when I don't feel like rowing. It's light for its size, about 50 and 40 pounds in two pieces, but it feels solid.

sandsailor · #7 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008

a little pricey but its cool check this one out

http://portaboat.com/

seamountie · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008

I haven't seen that particular one, but a Kiwi pal of mine does have a nesting dinghy and loves it. 'Cause it was a nesting one, he was able to travel with a longer dinghy than he would otherwise be able to.

Valiente · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008

Barry, the maker of these nesting dinghies, just sent me a nice e-mail, saying that a "Texan" had sent him my blog address...I can only assume it's from this thread!

The concept of a sturdy nesting dinghy comes partly from wanting something I could row and my kid could sail, but also from the idea that my compact wife could get it into the water and assemble it if I was absent or for whatever reason unable to help her. We already own a 310 cm. RIB (125 lbs. empty), and while it's a great runabout and carries a half-tonne, it is difficult to get on and off the deck for storage and interferes with visibility. This nesting dinghy, by contrast, can go on the foredeck or even on the pilothouse roof safely and with no loss of visibility forward, as its "height" is less than the upward curve of the deck when viewed from the pilothouse.

Portabotes (we also have one) come with a sailing kit as well, but I think the Walker Bay RID concept was the only other tender we seriously considered.

The current idea is that the Portabote will be "cargo" and will take the outboard most of the time, and the NN-10 will be rowed for "business" and sailed for fun, as it's like a super Optimist my kid can enjoy.

chucklesR · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008

Val, keep us informed on how she does when it warms up would you?

David Gerr's nesting dinghy design is very similar to this. It looks really good - I prefer my avon 9.5 rib for basic stability/tender and have my own 10 footer I built for the days I want to go dinghy sailing.
Hard dinghy's just aren't as stable as ribs, nor can they carry as much.

I do hope someone buys his company as this looks nice, albeit a tad expensive. I'd buy one used just to fart around in it tho.