Hudson folding dinghy

Current boat name

Hudson folding dinghy

Boat class

6942

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Dinghy

Length (m / ft)

2.67 / 8ft 9in

Beam (m / ft)

1.32 / 4ft 4in

Propulsion

Paddle/OB engine

Designer

Hudson R J

Design date

c.1932

Date of build

1932

Place of build

Yelverton, Devon

Present use

Museum/NMMC

Presented to NMMC by Mrs Mary Hudson. February 2008 An unusual collapsible dinghy designed and made by R J Hudson (Dick) between the late 1920s and late 1930s, originally in Dublin and then in Devon. Dick started as a civil engineer in India before returning to Ireland in the 1920s then later, during the Second World War, he worked as part of a team on various development projects for the government. The boat was designed to be simple with one person able to open and fold the boat in less than 30 seconds by means of a single lever: the thwarts automatically taking their position upon opening so requiring no fixing. Its strength of construction was obtained from the rigid longitudinal frame consisting of stem, keel and sternpost. Specially prepared sheets of marine plywood were used for the planking. Overall stability was helped by the broad beam and the craft was marketed as being most suitable for fishing, duck shooting and capable of safely riding even a heavy sea. During its development phase the dinghy underwent trials in Dublin Bay to requirements suggested by the Admiralty and the Air Ministry, who were both keen on the design. In addition to the dinghy being fitted out for either rowing or sailing any small light-weight outboard engine with a usual transom bracket could be fitted. For transportation the dinghy folded to approximately just 10 inches thick, for stowing away on the deck of a small yacht or carried on the running board or roof of a car. Presented to NMMC by Mrs Mary Hudson. AW. MAY 2009