Hobie Mirage Drive

[Owly055]

I plan to build a stitch and glue dinghy, possibly a nesting one, this winter / spring.   I haven't chosen a design yet, and I may loft it myself.  Probably a blunt bow to maximize the capacity, and a provision to step a mast.   In the process of looking at what was out there, I encountered the Hobie Mirage Drive, an incredibly innovative pedal drive that uses flippers.  It may or may not be the answer for you..... or I, but it definitely deserves a look.   I've always admired people who thought outside the box, weather their innovations were great successes or not.   
                                                                         H.W.

http://www.hobiecat.com/miragedrive/

[CharlieJ]

BandByacht designs

http://bandbyachtdesigns.com/

I've built 7  boats to his designs, has an entire range of nesting, pointed bow and square

[Owly055]

BandByacht designs

http://bandbyachtdesigns.com/

I've built 7  boats to his designs, has an entire range of nesting, pointed bow and square

I've seen these before.   Without lee or centerboards, they must be marginal sailors with a lot of leeway, but probably significantly better than the flat bottom dinghies.   Looks like they have a little bit of keel, but not much.   Plans are reasonable, but kits look a bit pricey it also looks like one is paying a bit of a premium for CNC cut plywood pieces, but it is premium material.   

                                                                                       H.W.

[CharlieJ]

Many of the nesting designs do have centerboards, and Graham designs for the high end of the speed curves. Remember- he holds the course record in the Everglades Challenge. The record he broke was one he had set previously

on the CNC kits-if you have to track down suitable materials locally, many have found the kits not that much more expensive, and VERY detailed and precise. With much less waste. And yes, he only handles premium material.

On a cruise where I was tied to his dock, I sat and watched Graham completely re do the specs on the Router, to change cuts by .02 thousandths

[Owly055]

Check out OarBoard.com.......... for as rather innovative if grossly over priced product.   I've always fancied owning a rowing shell......... and living where I could launch it every morning from my back yard.  The sliding seat makes rowing this way very efficient, and a great workout.  The Oar Board does the same thing but has a slide with the oar locks and your feet, rather than your ass sliding. It's designed to strap down to a stand up paddle board in minutes.   It's simple and innovative, and would be a fairly easy concept to duplicate.   In a dinghy, an assembly on the floor that had a foot rest and carried the oar locks could allow you to bring your legs to bear in the same respect.  Here is one of a number of Utube videos showing the original in operation.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0y9ZMS-PhU   I think it's worth considering for a dinghy that will be used under oar power.   It wouldn't take a lot to cook one up that was pretty functional.

                                        H.W.