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One of our very favorites, the Nutshell Pram is hard to beat and comes in two sizes – 9’6″ and the 7’7″. The 9’6″ is a joy to sail and is a great kids’ boat (IF the kids can get it away from the adults). Her wide bottom makes this boat very stable, and we’ve seen two adults load a Nutshell up with heaps of camping gear and sail out into open water for a few days of camp-cruising among the islands. Easy to build and maintain, thanks to few parts and pieces, she’s always a joy to look at.
| Designer | Joel White |
| Length and Beam | 9’6″ ad 4’4″ |
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bilal hito says:
i have a nutshell pram, the 9 1/2 footer. I commissioned it to be built by a local local boat building school. I sail it on the Great South Bay of Long Island. Her name is Shrimp. She is the best boat i’ve owned. I sail spring through fall. My first sail was on a sunfish i’d bought, yet as fun as it was – it was a summer toy – I had to commit to an absolute soak if i wanted to sail a sunfish. So from there I bought a 14 foot hobie holder, and whereas that was more of a dry daysailer – it was a bit overpowered for a single hander just looking for a casual stroll on the bay. I didnt care about speed, I wanted something practical. I started becoming fond of wooden boats and got a CLC eastport pram a local builder had posted for sale. I really liked it and knew I was onto something, I loved rowing and sailing without the need of an outboard – but something was still missing (in this case, just a couple more feet of boat). I read alot about the nutshell pram and became very interested, watched a bunch about it right here on OCH – so i started looking for pre owned ones to no avail (the nearest one i was able to find was a 6 hour drive – and was plagued with excess rot because of long term negligence and poor storage conditions. I called up the local wooden boat building school and they took on the project for their class, I only paid for materials and was able to get a brand new nutshell pram. I took it out on the water and fell in love. It is the perfect fit for a single handed sailor looking to explore local waters. I can take my wife along, i can take my 3 year old daughter along – its perfect. Of course I would love to take a greater number of people out (i talk about sailing all the time to my friends, so naturally they invite themselves out) – but really, 95% of the time I’m sailing alone – so i wouldnt want to get a big boat to fit a bunch of people on for those rare and few occasions. Besides, one day when i do get a big sailboat – ill already have it’s tender. Really though, when anyone asks me what id suggest for a small easy to rig sailboat that is as fun as it is safe, and practical as it is handsome – I have no other suggestion than the larger Nutshell pram. I will continue to sail her myself, and teach my kids to sail on her. I’ve been out in some hairy conditions (despite following the weather reports cautiously) – and i felt much safer in my nutshell than i did in my hobie holder in half the wind! I used to have a limit on how much wind would be okay to go out in – I have nearly doubled that self imposed limit since getting my nutshell. Reef points on the sail (easily dousable either way), oars, sculling notch – so many layers of protection. But above all, she is fun – sheer joy. I am counting down the days for warmer weather – cant wait to take her out and sail the bay, explore the little islands, clamming, crabbing. In the past, after id gotten a new dinghy – id be on craigslist within a short amount of time – looking for the next best. I havent been looking since I hoisted Shrimp’s sail. Its perfect.
Leigh Besson says:
How could it be possible to leave out Harold Payson’s Nymph?. Lighter than a nut shell, easier to build, just as pretty, carry it over your shoulder. Disappointing
Karl Saul says:
This is a wonderful idea, a guide to dinghies. I thoroughly enjoy the rating systems, great fun and very helpful.
I hope you’ll get a chance to compare and similarly rate the intriguing Oohagh design by Doug Hylan. A little heavier which might be an advantage here in the NW waters of the Puget Sound were wind and current changes can often whip up choppy conditions.
Really well done, Thanks again
Joseph D. Hollinger says:
I cannot imagine anyone watching these videos not being inspired to at least have an experience in a boat and learn, first hand, how great being on the water really is.