In this case no outboard pad was required - remember this boat is going to be used to clean up potentially flammable spillages! - but one could easily have been fitted between the wheels. Stainless steel handles at the bow and stern were fitted to make handling the boat easier, as pollution incidents do not always occur at convenient launching points...

Once launched the wheels can be swung upwards out of the way, or removed altogether when not required.

Whilst not as pretty as our boats with wooden trim, the resulting boat retains the efficient hull of our pram dinghy, with a very practical and low maintenance finish. If you want a "knockabout tender" that stows easily on deck, this could be a good choice.

The wheels, stainless steel handles, glassfibre seats etc shown here can all be specified on our other boats; and options such as the sailing rig, folding rowlocks and bilge handles can be added to this all-glassfibre version to increase its versatility. The fendering can be black or white, and the interior can be a colour other than grey if you think it's too "industrial looking" (although it is very practical).

The weight of this version is approx 50kg, slightly more than the glassfibre hull with wood trim, as the gunwhales need to have extra reinforcing in them (the wood trim when fitted is structural) and the rubber fendering itself adds 4kg.

A significantly lighter version with carbon/Kevlar cloth, epoxy resin and a foam core is in development. The carbon will make the hull stiff, whilst the Kevlar (as used in bullet proof vests!) is for impact resistance. We are making the first one now (late January 2010) and will be able to confirm the weight soon, but are fairly certain it will come in under 35kg.