"Nestaway's Stem dinghy was one of the smallest we tested... pretty and practical... a delight to row, tracked well and was fast, dry and stable. Good oars and rowlocks reward your efforts... a bit small for ferrying more than two people... somewhat scary under full throttle, but why would you want to motor when she's such fun to row?"
YACHTING MONTHLY - Ten Tenders Tested, December 2008

Our 7'10" stem dinghy can be stowed away in a space measuring just 4ft square. She weighs between 70 and 80-lb (32-36kg), depending on the level of fitout, so the individual sections are very easy to manhandle. She is a beautiful shape, and (in a classic case of "What looks right usually is right") rows beautifully too!

The assembly process consists of aligning the two sections by means of the tapered hook fittings, then doing up three bolts into threaded inserts - it takes less than a minute. She has a glassfibre hull with solid mahogany centre thwarts and trim pieces, bulkheads in plywood. In the pictures here we have put teak and holly decks on the buoyancy tank tops (an optional extra that looks very pretty).

Other options include:
- Low Maintenance Upgrade in which all visible (ie unpainted) wood is teak;
- Weekender Version for calm waters, without the buoyancy tanks. This is lighter and cheaper, with a mini foredeck in the bow, and a removeable seat at the stern;
- Bilge keels/handles on the stern section, to assist handling (useful if you want to store your dinghy upside down).

The Stem Dinghy shown above and left was a very simple version, with no buoyancy tanks, but upgraded with teak woodwork, rubber fendering and a superb pair of captive folding rowlocks (you can't lose or forget them, even if you turn the boat upside down!).

As we've already mentioned, this is a fantastic rowing boat. But she can also be fitted with a small outboard - the hull is very easily driven, so ideal for electric power - and we are planning to develop a sailing rig based on Optimist dinghy components for those who would like a fun sailing boat.

Our 7'10" stem dinghy is great for one or two people, and stores in about the smallest space possible for a two-part sectional boat; if you need more carrying capacity please look at our nesting pram dinghy - click here: Nestaway sectional pram dinghy

She is exempt from the Recreational Craft Directive, which only applies to boats of 8'2" (2.5m) and above. However with buoyancy tanks or bags fitted we estimate she would comply with Category D, 2 adults, if it were needed.