plastic dinghy sailboat

• AROUND THE SAILING WORLD
• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Email Newsletters
• America’s Cup
• St. Petersburg
• Caribbean Championship
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boat Giveaway

2024 Boat of the Year Best Dinghy: RS Toura

• By Dave Reed
• December 21, 2023

Sailboat racing’s future is inextricably linked to the flow of new sailors who walk through the doors of community sailing centers and yacht clubs. These establishments do the yeoman’s work to attract and retain sailors young and old, and often the biggest challenge is securing boats that deliver a positive sailing experience but can take the abuse. For many such establishments, the saving grace has been the roto-molded trainer, of which RS Sailboats is the dominant builder. It does plastic—and does it extremely well—and the versatile Toura is its best yet.  

“This is a fantastic learn-to-sail boat because it checks so many boxes,” Mike Ingham says. “It sails amazingly well, can bounce off a dock or be dragged up a beach, and can fit a lot of people. What really strikes me is how stable and spacious it is, but somehow it performs so much better than I expected. When it comes to innovation, this boat moves the needle for me, no question about it.”

The Toura is the result of a decade’s worth of feedback from sailing programs using RS Sailing’s Quest, its most popular roto-molded trainer, of which there are more than 3,000 in use around the world. “The Quest is an excellent boat,” says RS Sailing’s Todd Riccardi, “but people kept asking for a bigger boat with a little more room.”

That’s a big ask of even the most advanced roto-molding technology because the bigger the boat, the more complex the structure must be in order to keep it stiff and durable yet as light as possible. The Toura might just be at the edge of what’s possible. RS uses what it describes as a three-layer laminate to get a durable shell—an inner layer, a foam core and an outer layer that are applied in stages. But the real structure is from skeletal-like spines that bisect the cockpit and give the boat its rigidity.

At 15 feet, and with a few inches over 6 feet of beam, the Toura is a substantial dinghy that Riccardi says can comfortably fit as many as six to eight adults and double that amount of kids. Inboard bench seating running the entire length of the boat is how it can fit so many passengers. While that might push the limits of its buoyancy, the judges agreed four large adults would have the right amount of room to casually race and learn the ropes.

RS Sailing has a well-earned reputation for developing and vetting its new boats before bringing them to market, and the Toura is no exception. The boat has many smart features that simplify the learning experience, from launching to capsizing to boathandling and sail trimming. To get the kick-up rudder on and off is a one-button operation. There’s a temporary forestay for safely raising the rig, an adjustable jib-stay purchase at the mast, a single-line mainsail reefing system, and a continuous spinnaker halyard. Riccardi says the boat’s considerable stability is capsize-prevention enough, but should it end up on its side, the square-top main and buoyancy in the bench seating keep it from turtling quickly. In the event of a capsize, however, aluminum grab handles are built into strakes that run along the bottom of the hull.

The judges, sailing two-up and three-up, never got anywhere near the point of capsize in the 10 knots of breeze for the test. With Greg Stewart and Chuck Allen first into the boat, they promptly set the spinnaker and took off. “It sails great, both upwind and downwind,” Stewart says. “It has a great feel to the helm, and I pressed it hard a few times and it never spun out. All the rigging was really nice, and the sail controls all worked. My one comment is that the 4-to-1 mainsheet gets pretty loaded because the main is pretty powerful and the cloth is good, so I’d be inclined to add a becket block to the mainsheet to get a bit more purchase.”

Allen put high scores in his notebook and says he was able to sit comfortably on the seat and use the spine as a foot brace. “We had it going pretty quick and found that with a little heel angle, the chine bites and the boat suddenly feels really stable. Great all-around performance, and with the high boom, the low centerboard trunk, and the vang on top of the boom, it was easy to get across the boat. Downwind with the spinnaker, it was awesome. Every control was easy to pull, and the nonskid had excellent grip.”

• More: 2024 Boat of the Year , Print January 2024 , Sailboats
• More Sailboats

Sporty and Simple is the ClubSwan 28

Nautor Swan Has A New Pocket Rocket

Pogo Launches its Latest Coastal Rocket

A Deeper Dive Into the Storm 18

Cruising Cat Racing Franco Style

The Marvelous AC75s On Deck

Alinghi Red Bull Racing Suffers Second Mast Failure

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

• (207) 742-7614
• [email protected]

You need a dinghy; why not one that can save your life?

You’re free to have fun on the water when you, your family, and your crew are safe. Portland Pudgy, Inc has re-imagined the dinghy in the context of safety at sea, and come up with something really new. A rugged, unsinkable dinghy you can row, motor, sail , and even use as a lifeboat. The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy makes boating even more fun, by making it safer.

The sail kit makes your Portland Pudgy a fun, safe sailing dinghy. The stability and buoyancy designed into the Portland Pudgy make it safe and sea-friendly as a recreational sailing dinghy for the whole family. The Pudgy takes surprisingly rugged seas and wind for a boat its size…

The Portland Pudgy is a rugged, unsinkable self-rescue boat, even without the inflatable exposure canopy and other survival gear. With the canopy and sail, the Portland Pudgy is a dynamic lifeboat. Unlike inflatable life rafts, the Pudgy can’t deflate, and you can sail, row, or motor to safety…

What is the Portland Pudgy safety dinghy?

The Portland Pudgy is a multifunction boat that was designed as a yacht tender and unsinkable, dynamic lifeboat for blue water sailors that can be sailed to safety. The resulting stability, buoyancy, ruggedness, roominess, and “unsinkability” designed into the Portland Pudgy make it unparalleled as an everyday tender, a safe and sea-friendly sailing dinghy, and a great all-around rowboat/motorboat. The Pudgy is a self-contained unit: all accessories, including the oars, sail kit, and exposure canopy, stow within the storage space in double hull of the boat with room to spare.

Recreational Small Boat for Sailing, Fishing, Hunting, Diving

Unlike inflatable boats, the Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is a joy to row. It can be rigged out as a fun sailing dinghy. It’s a safe and fun recreational sailing dinghy for the whole family. It’s stable and difficult to capsize, but if you manage to, it’s very easy to right, and comes up dry. No need to wait for rescue (as with some recreational sailing dinghies, like the Opti). The entire sail kit stows neatly out of the way in the interior of the double hull (rudder and leeboards under seats). Because the Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is so stable, rugged, and tracks so well when rowed or motored, it’s also a great fishing boat or duck hunting boat, and a great platform for nature photography and diving. See Sailing Dinghy.

Self-Contained Unit

All of the accessories, oars, sail kit (including telescoping mast and boom), inflatable exposure canopy, sea anchor, ditch bag, provisions, and more, can be stowed within the boat via the five watertight hatches.  This is very convenient in your everyday dinghy or sailing dink.  It’s an extremely important safety feature of the Portland Pudgy lifeboat. All of your equipment is there in an emergency.

Dynamic Lifeboat

The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is a self-rescue boat, even without the optional inflatable exposure canopy and other survival gear. With the exposure canopy, sea anchor, and sail kit, the Portland Pudgy is an unsinkable, dynamic lifeboat. Unlike inflatable life rafts, the Pudgy cannot deflate, and you can sail, row, or motor this rugged self-rescue boat to shipping lanes or land.

Everyday Yacht Tender, Rowboat, Motorboat, Rugged Workboat

The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy is the safest, most rugged yacht tender on the market to row, motor, tow and carry. It tracks perfectly and moves along nicely with a small motor. The Pudgy is extremely buoyant and has huge carrying capacity, both in the roomy cockpit and inside the storage compartments in the double hull. The Portland Pudgy (7′ 8″, 128 lb., USCG-approved as a rowboat and motorboat for 4 people) is designed and manufactured (in the USA) to be an exceptionally rugged, stable, unsinkable boat. Its pram shape allows it to fit on the deck of many cruising sailboats. This small boat is so stable you can stand up and walk around in it. The Portland Pudgy safety dinghy has all the benefits of inflatable boats and RIBs (rigid inflatable boats), without the risk of deflation. There is no need for an unsightly, expensive, and deflation-prone RID kit (“dinghy dogs”) with the Pudgy: it’s an unsinkable boat, with built-in buoyancy. See Yacht Tender/Dinghy.

Live-aboards  Teresa Carey and Ben Erickson Carey  sent us this wonderful video about their Portland Pudgy. Lots of great sailing shots.  Deliberately flipping the Pudgy (:33) and then easily righting it (2:00). Inflating the exposure canopy using the alternative method (hand pump) and using it as a dodger (1:15). Sleeping in the Pudgy. Lots of shots that show how stable and roomy it is. And lots just showing what a fun little boat it is.

Testimonials

There was a problem reporting this post.

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

• See blocked member's posts
• Mention this member in posts

Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Please verify you are a human

Access to this page has been denied because we believe you are using automation tools to browse the website.

This may happen as a result of the following:

• Javascript is disabled or blocked by an extension (ad blockers for example)
• Your browser does not support cookies

Please make sure that Javascript and cookies are enabled on your browser and that you are not blocking them from loading.

Reference ID: 34378da3-6452-11ef-98f6-2e92531cde67

Powered by PerimeterX , Inc.

• Ultralights
• Boatbuilding Links and Resources
• Folding Boats

Take Apart Boats

A boat is like a swan, it looks perfect on the water but as soon as it gets on land it is big heavy and ungainly, still pretty mind you.

It takes up an amazing amount of space to store boats and is hugely annoying to transport them.

It's not surprising that designers have been trying to get around these problems for as long as there has been people designing boats. Take apart also called nesting boats or sometimes sectional boats really took off when plywood became readily available to the home builder.

Amateur boatbuilders seldom have large shops. This is why some designs can be constructed in pieces. These later get assembled when the boat is taken out.

The idea of taking a full size boat out for a spin and then when it's time to put it away, just removing a few bolts and magically halving the size of the craft so it fits in the car, or can be stored tucked up in the garage, or even brought up the elevator and put in the condo closet, is hard to resist. Keel-boat owners have been trying for years to fit their tenders on decks with varying degrees of success.

Here is my page on folding boats

Here is how a few designers and boatbuilders have solved the problem.

Here is a page on coroplast folding boats Minimalism boatbuilding closer to oregami as it is to traditional boatbuilding!

Port Townsend Watercraft Nesting Dinghy PT11

The Port Townsend Watercraft Nesting Dinghy. PT11 is a gorgeous addition to the take apart nesting boat genre.

It can be rowed, has a sailing option, and comes apart to fit neatly on deck as a tender or as an easily moved and stored sailing/rowing dinghy.

This boat is offered as a well thought out kit, which custom hardware to align and fasten the 2 parts together securely. The kit also comes with mast step some fittings, but not with a sailing rig, which is offered separately. Check out their website, nice boat and nicely presented.

Bateau has an 11 ft Nesting Dinghy

Sectional Boat from Bateau. Can be used as an on-deck tender or as an easily stored and transported dinghy. She can be rowed, sailed or fitted with a small outboard.

Besides the plans, Bateau offers CNC plywood cutout parts and a fiberglass kit to complete the boat.

CLC has Several Apart Boats

John Harris of the Chesapeake Light Craft company has designed many fine boats for his kits and plans. Among them he offers a take apart version of his popular Passagemaker. The 2 sections can be nested to save space.

The passagemaker is designed to be built without frames. This makes for a simpler build for beginners.

I don't think John Harris has ever designed an ugly boat and this one, like my Skerry is very handsome.

This boat can be rowed, sailed and is big enough for a small motor.

The boat gets built in one piece and gets cut in 2 section once the sides are rigid and true. The 2 sections bolt together and once assembled there is no difference practically with the 1 piece version.

Having a sizable take apart dinghy makes it possible for larger yachts to carry a useful boat to serve as a tender OR to have a smaller boat to play around with. It's 11.5 feet which is a respectable length.

Passagemker blog Peter's build.

Passagemaker you tube video

The Shearwater Sport Kayak is a take apart boat.

Here's how it works: You build the boat full-length in the usual fashion, but add carefully-designed structural bulkheads at the joints. When nearly done with construction, out comes the saw. Steady now! Cut between the bulkheads to create three watertight pieces.

Joins are almost impossible to see once assembled.

The Eastport pram is another take apart boat, nicely demonstrated in this video. For details Chesapeake Light Craft Website link. They have lots of Kits and boat plans geared at beginner to more advanced levels of boat-building. Photos courtesy of CLC.

This video shows how the Pram is cut to separate the 2 parts. This is often how take apart boats are built. First in one piece then cut afterwards when the sides are faired.

Gary Dierkin's Wa'apa is different. It is built in 3 sections right from the start. This allows for smaller building area.

Gary Dierking's Wa'apa is a Take Apart Outrigger sailing Canoe

Gary Dierking has gained fame if not fortune and built a solid reputation designing Outrigger Sailing Canoes and rigs for them.

"Seaworthy, light and easy to build, outrigger canoes combine the romance of the Pacific Island with spartan design and breathtaking sailing performance."

The Wa'apa can be built as an almost 24 feet long boat, in 3 easy to assemble sections. If you look under the seats you can just make out some of the assembly bolts.

This take apart design has many advantages

• Several sections give it a good length and this gives the boat fabulous speed
• Because it can be taken apart it can be stored easily. In fact the sections can be stood on end in the garage for the winter.
• Almost everyone can find space to build an 8 ft long section. Space for 24 ft is harder to come by. I built my 15 ft Skerry in my Living Room.
• Transporting a 24 ft boat is tricky. Transporting 3 short sections is no problem at all.
• Building in take apart sections allows you to use full sheets of plywood and not have to scarf them to get more length
• If you want you can make the boat shorter by simply omitting the centre section.

3 Youtube videos of take apart Wa'apas in use.

Watch the boat (left) practically fly it's going so fast. Take apart outrigger canoe Youtube video

New Brunswick boys made one of Gary Dierking's outriggers for an adventure

Here is another take apart Wa'apa sailing canoe this time with a Junk Rig.

Thanks to Gary Dierking for use of his photos. If you want to order plans visit Duckworks .

Ken Simpson has several Portable Take Apart Boat PLans

At the other end of the boat design spectrum, Ken Simpson, Portable Boat Plans of Arizona of is a retired Mechanical Engineer who worked on Apollo Spacecraft.

He has a long history of research and development and decided to turn his talent and experience to designing small, portable, easy to build, affordable boats.

His designs are simple and even the most inexperienced beginners could hope to succeed. With the help of his fertile imagination and energy he has presented up with several interesting take apart boats.

Toter easily comes apart and nests for easy transport and storage.

Duet is currently being developed. It's a 2 part nesting dinghy.

Ken is currently working on a 4 module boat.

For a list of his designs have a look at his website, Portable Boat Plans He has videos and photos of his various boats.

Puddle Duck Racers Come in Several Models of Come Apart Boats

I don't imagine that when David Routh better, known as Shorty, designed his Puddle Duck Racer, he imagined how popular it would become and how many people would modify the upper sections to suit their preference. The lower 10 inches of the hull must conform to class standards. The rest is pretty much open. Several people have designed take apart versions to make a small boat even smaller. Ken Simpson (see above) even come with a concept that can be seen on his website or more detailed diagrams including free plans for take apart PDRacer can be downloaded

Various people have played with detachable side buoyancy chambers which could be bolted back on. This is an idea that Phil Bolger had when he designed and made the Breakdown punt. The pontoons neatly fit in the main part of the boat.

Phil Bolger experimented with hinging a larger boat in the middle and folding the front onto the back. His Folding Schooner is an example. Link to article and photo on the left side bar.

Mother Earth News has plans for a take apart skiff

In a Will Shelton article dated June/July 2001 there are details for a Take Apart Skiff . Good Details for building.

Old FREE plywood plans from Mechanics Illustrated.

Rowboat comes apart in 3 pieces..

There are quite a few of old plans for plywood boats. They tend to be heavy since they were not fiberglassed so the plywood had to be quite thick. Modern interpretations could easily be made using stitch and glue method of boatbuilding and end up quite a lot lighter than the original.

Rowboat is made of plywood and clips together. When it's time to go home unclip the 3 sections and put on top of the car and away you go.

Free plans for the 3 pc take apart rowboat here. in pdf format

Tender or Kid's boat have 3 bolt together sections.

This small boat was intended as a kids boat, sandbox, swimming pool or play accessory. It could function as a take apart tender. The sections are bolted together and can be quickly assembled.

Free plans for the 3 piece take apart boat. in pdf format

Jonboat has a separate storage/cooler trunk

Here is a small car toppable jonboat. It comes apart into a larger back section that can be used on it's own and into a shorter front section that is a removable storage box.

It looks from the plans that the boat could be used without the front part. I don't think the motor would make sense if only the back part was used.

If you decide to follow these old Mechanic Illustrated boat plans keep in mind that materials have improved and standards of safety have changed. Do your homework and be safe.

Wooden Widget has a lovely ultralight take apart dinghy

They claim it's the world's lightest nesting dinghy at 22 pounds. A real delight to look at. They offer plans, videos and images of their ultralight nesting dinghy AND their folding boat designs on their website.

They are working on a completely transparent version which is very disconcerting!

The boat is so buoyant that it can be assembled in the water. A person can stand in the larger section while bolting on the back.

This take apart boat makes a very useful yacht tender. It can even be set up for sail

Glen-L has a Centerfold Tender

A somewhat outdated name for a useful take apart dinghy-tender with a sailing version available. Glen-L Centerfold dinghy.

She folds or hinges right across the middle, or can be made to take apart. The two separate parts are lighter and easier to carry than a conventional dinghy

Simple fast design available in kit form or plans.

The above examples are for true take apart boats. There are a number of people who have devised clever folding boats. Many will collapse flat and can be easily put away.

Have a look at the side links. I've put a whole lot of links re folding and take apart and nesting boats. In particular check out the Foldboat and the Ar-vag, boats as art/design projects. Sheets of plastic folded in boat shape.

Building and using boats can be dangerous if you are not careful, so be careful already. Some of these plans and ideas are quite experimental and untested. They are fun to explore and consider. Since I have not built or tested them I can't recommend them.

Many of these boats are light enough to be carried on a car rack on top of a car. Any boat over 100 pounds is getting quite heavy for a cartop. Make sure you have good tie downs. and if your boat overhangs the car put a red flag too.

email me if you find mistakes, I'll fix them and we'll all benefit: Christine

Some Take Apart and Folding Boats

Small Print

I don't claim to be an expert in anything. If you want to build a boat do your homework first. Using high teck materials usually require that you do it right for them to work. Use safety equipment and wear a lifejacket when paddling. Old plans often suggest materials that are now considered unsafe such as lead paint, be careful.I have not tested these boats myself.

• Accessories
• Backcountry
• Assembly & Maintenance
• Safety & Responsibility
• Specs & Details
• Refund and Cancellation Policy

This is the small plastic row boat you have been looking for. Our lightweight dinghies are easy to move to and from shore. Enjoy the row out to your larger boat with this tender. With optional oars and oarlocks this is all you need out of a useful durable dinghy. Or if you don't want to row, add the optional heavy duty transom kit to our white boat then attach a 2.5 hp gas motor or electric motor with battery.

We expanded the seating options giving you a front seat and rear bench. Sit back to back or on opposite ends of the boat and still be able to comfortably row. We added extra cup holders and storage compartments as well. Keep your cell phone dry with the addition of drainage channels.

Lightweight - only 59 lbs

Durable and easy to clean

Stainless Steel Hardware - Prevents rusting

Oars Available - 2 piece aluminum collapsible oars

Oar Locks Available - Unique proprietary plated stainless steel oar lock system for better control rowing

Front Title

This is where the text for the front of your card should go. It's best to keep it short and sweet.

White Boat Details

Get into backwater.

We noticed you're visiting from Canada. We've updated our prices to Canadian dollar for your shopping convenience. Use United States (US) dollar instead. Dismiss

Forgot Password?

Thumbnail Filmstrip of McLaughlin Optimist Images

Sku: mc1 mclaughlin optimist.

• Description

The only Optimist hand built in the United States by experts for over 25 years. McLaughlin has built World Champion hulls for years and have put in the hard work to come out on top. With the stiffest hulls available, minimum weight guaranteed, and best rigging options available, these boats are built to last and consistently perform for years to come.

• Harken 3:1 Mainsheet Block System
• Optiparts Padded Hiking Straps
• Adjustable Mast Step
• 3 x Optiparts Airbags
• 2 x Standard Optiparts Bailers

Available Packages

Mclaughlin optimist club racer.

• Standard McLaughlin Hull
• Optiparts Upgraded Club Spars
• New Rule Epoxy Blade Set
• Dinghy Shop Club Sail with Window

McLaughlin Optimist Intermediate Racer

• Optiparts Quick Silver Spar Set
• Dinghy Shop Sweet Blue Race Sail with Window

McLaughlin Optimist Advanced Racer

• Optiparts Black Gold Racing Spar Set
• Choice of Quantum or Olimpic Race Sail

McLaughlin Optimist ProRacer

• Upgraded ProRacer McLaughlin Hull
• 4:1 Harken Mainsheet System with Double Tapered Mainsheet
• 2 x Optiparts Large Bailers
• Optiparts Mast Clamp
• Extra Padded Adjustable Hiking Straps
• Optiparts Black Gold / Giulietti or Optimax MK3 spars
• McLaughlin N1 PRO Foils
• Quantum or Olimpic Race Sail

• Got any questions?
• 08 9367 6555
• [email protected]

Whaly Plastic Dinghies

The whaly boats are now in australia. only at dinghy world..

Whaly boats offer you plenty of boating fun at affordable prices. These extremely sturdy, double-walled boats are manufactured entirely out of plastic (Polyethylene), so they are low-maintenance, have very spacious interiors and are very safe.

More and more Whaly boats are been sold as tenders or dinghies for larger-scale yachts. Are you tired of blowing up or repairing inflatable boats? Are you looking for an alternative option that’s very stable? All yachts need a reliable tender, of course.

More and more businesses are discovering the great properties of Whaly work boats, because Whaly’s work boats are tough, long-lasting and have good sailing qualities. You will save on maintenance costs, thanks to their Polyethylene build. Dredging companies, fire departments, Customs and Water Management have been using Whaly boats for years to their complete satisfaction.

Increasingly more boat hire companies are choosing Whaly boats – and that’s not really surprising, considering their safety and great sailing qualities. And as a boat hire company, you’ll be glad to know that Whaly’s boats require very little maintenance; they are also extremely sturdy and can stand some very rough handling. Even small instances of damage like scratches are almost invisible because the boats are built from materials that have solid colouring.

Whaly’s steering console makes sailing even more comfortable for your customers. Perhaps you want to extend your range to include a boat with a roomy interior – take a look at Whaly’s practically indestructible boats and you’ll see why they would be a wise choice.

And depending on model, Whaly’s  are available in a number of colours – Call for details

• New Sailboats
• Sailboats 21-30ft
• Sailboats 31-35ft
• Sailboats 36-40ft
• Sailboats Over 40ft
• Sailboats Under 21feet
• used_sailboats
• Apps and Computer Programs
• Communications
• Fishfinders
• Handheld Electronics
• Plotters MFDS Rradar
• Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
• Anchoring Mooring
• Running Rigging
• Sails Canvas
• Standing Rigging
• Diesel Engines
• Off Grid Energy
• Cleaning Waxing
• DIY Projects
• Repair, Tools & Materials
• Spare Parts
• Tools & Gadgets
• Cabin Comfort
• Ventilation
• Footwear Apparel
• Foul Weather Gear
• Mailport & PS Advisor
• Inside Practical Sailor Blog
• Activate My Web Access
• Reset Password
• Customer Service

• Free Newsletter

Ericson 41 Used Boat Review

Mason 33 Used Boat Review

Beneteau 311, Catalina 310 and Hunter 326 Used Boat Comparison

Maine Cat 41 Used Boat Review

Tips From A First “Sail” on the ICW

Tillerpilot Tips and Safety Cautions

Best Crimpers and Strippers for Fixing Marine Electrical Connectors

Thinking Through a Solar Power Installation

Getting the Most Out of Older Sails

How (Not) to Tie Your Boat to a Dock

Stopping Mainsheet Twist

Working with High-Tech Ropes

Fuel Lift Pump: Easy DIY Diesel Fuel System Diagnostic and Repair

Ensuring Safe Shorepower

Sinking? Check Your Stuffing Box

The Rain Catcher’s Guide

Boat Repairs for the Technically Illiterate

Boat Maintenance for the Technically Illiterate: Part 1

Whats the Best Way to Restore Clear Plastic Windows?

Mastering Precision Drilling: How to Use Drill Guides

Giving Bugs the Big Goodbye

Galley Gadgets for the Cruising Sailor

Those Extras you Don’t Need But Love to Have

UV Clothing: Is It Worth the Hype?

Preparing Yourself for Solo Sailing

How to Select Crew for a Passage or Delivery

Preparing A Boat to Sail Solo

On Watch: This 60-Year-Old Hinckley Pilot 35 is Also a Working…

On Watch: America’s Cup

On Watch: All Eyes on Europe Sail Racing

Dear Readers

Chafe Protection for Dock Lines

• Boat Maintenance

Practical Sailor tests 27 products that clean, restore, and polish soft vinyl boat windows.

Preserving a clear view through clear plastic on dodgers or enclosures is one of the most challenging tasks in boat maintenance. Restoring a vinyl window is almost impossible, but that doesn’t stop the tide of products that claim to make this job easy. Practical Sailor’s  Eisenglass cleaners test looks at 27 products touted primarily as cleaners or treatments for vinyl windows. The test products were divided into four types: cleaners, scratch repairers, polish protectants, and UV protectants.

After a week of testing, we found Imar Strataglass Protective Cleaner and Imar Strataglass Protective Polish, distributed by Defender Industries, to be the Best Choice. Collinite No. 845 Insulator Wax and Mer-Maids Plexiglass Plastic Cleaner and Polish were the Budget Buys. The test also included products from the following manufacturers: 303, 3M, Aquatech, Armada, Davies, Marykate, Meguiars. Mothers, Novus, Plexus, Sailors’ Solutions, Star brite, Turtle Wax, West Marine, and Yacht Brite.

Although many of the products in this article can be used on hard acrylic or polycarbonate hatch glazing, this article examines their performance only on the soft, flexible clear-vinyl windows, such as those that you’ll find in a dodger or cockpit enclosure.

Canvas shops use a variety of clear vinyl (PVC) products to make these windows. Ultraclear, Crystal Clear, Seaflex, Achilles, and Strataglass are some common brand names. Practical Sailor will be comparing these and other types of clear plastics (such as Stamoid) in a future article.

All of these materials are susceptible to scratching, smudging, and wear. Over time, they become brittle as they lose the chemicals that keep them soft and pliable. In addition, ultraviolet rays can quickly damage the vinyl, causing hazing, cracking, and yellowing. The products reviewed here help delay that process.

WHAT WE TESTED

Practical Sailor evaluated 27 products (three were two-step applications) from 18 manufacturers that were advertised, labeled, or recommended primarily as cleaners or treatments for clear-vinyl windows. All are available through marine dealers, chandlers, or online.

For comparison, we broke them down into the following categories: cleaners; scratch repairers; polish/protectants; UV protectants. Eight claimed to have UV protection, 10 included a formula or fine abrasives to remove light scratches and smudges. and all but two products promised a polished finish. Products that stood out (for good or for bad) in the field are discussed below.

Armada’s 210 Plastic Cleaner/Polish, a 14-ounce aerosol, excelled in cleaning and polishing our test vinyl. It provides a clear, lustrous finish with a protective coating that is anti-static and anti-fog. For older or scratched windows, use the Armada 210 Plus, which includes a very mild abrasive compound that does a reasonably good job of removing dirty residues, smudges, and fine scratches.

Bottom line: The 210 Plus is an excellent cleaner with anti-fog and anti-static properties. The 210 polishes well, but aerosol cans don’t keep well aboard boats normally operated in salt water.

Step-one in a two-step process, 3Ms Marine Vinyl Cleaner and Restorer removes haze, dirt, and stains with a thick creamy liquid. It is an above-average cleaner. The second step involves applying the 3M Marine Plastic Polish, a thick white cream that cleans and when buffed, yields a protective, high-gloss finish. The formula includes restorative mineral oils, glycerin, and carnauba wax.

Bottom line: The 3M cleaner worked fine, but the polish produced only Fair results.

303 Aerospace Protectant

Often recommended to preserve inflatable dinghies, 303’s Aerospace Protectant spray cleans, shines, and leaves a UV protection of SPF 40. Directions call for renewing the finish monthly.

Bottom line: The 303 spray has multiple uses, offers good protection, and is moderately priced.

The Aquatech Clear Enclosure Cleaner and Protectant (No. 750) sprays a light, clear liquid that is designed to clean, without any alcohol, ammonia, or harsh chemicals. The Premier Polish and UV Protectant (No. 201) is a general-purpose polish for gelcoat, paint, and metal. It is a thick, white cream that slowly dries to a haze.

Bottom line: The 750 cleaner and protectant cleans quickly and leaves a slight shine. The 201 adds an excellent polished sheen with UV protection.

The Collinite 845 Insulator Wax is a thick cream designed for marine and industrial applications where a heavy-duty, high-gloss UV protective coating is required. It keeps dirt, dust, and salt from sticking and assures full protection against sun, rain, bugs, and salt spray.

Bottom line: Collinite polishes well and has multiple uses and a good track record at an affordable price. It’s our Budget Buy.

Imar’s Strataglass Protective Cleaner (No. 301) and Strataglass Protective Polish (No. 302) are the only products recommended by Strataglass. The Imar 301 produces a fine, clear mist from a 16-ounce spray bottle. Imar recommends using the product regularly when you wash and rinse the boat. The 302 provides the same UV protection as 301, but the creamy liquid adds a thicker protective coating and brighter shine. Imar recommends reapplying 302 about every three to four months.

Bottom line: Imar’s 301 ranked high as a very good cleaner. The 302 was one of the better polishers that we tested, beading up best in the water test.

MaryKate’s Glassplex Glass Cleaner (No. 3918) multipurpose glass, acrylic, and vinyl cleaner-a fine, clear liquid delivered through a trigger-spray nozzle-does an acceptable job of cleaning oil and dirt. MaryKate also makes Clear Vinyl Cleaner and Polish (No. 6414), which we did not test. Neither contains alcohol or ammonia.

Bottom line: Though not a standout, the MaryKate 3918 was the most economical of the cleaning products tested.

A Best Buy in a 2003 test, Mer-Maids Plexiglass/Plastic Cleaner and Polish is a clear spray that goes on fast and is easy to wipe off. It is reasonably priced, and does a fairly good job cleaning and shining.

Bottom line: Mer-Maids product cleaned well, provides anti-static and anti-fog protection, and does not contain alcohol or ammonia. A good bet for routine cleaning.

Testers looked at three products from Meguiars. The Clear Plastic Detailer (No. 18) is a handy one-step cleaner and polish in an 8-ounce spray bottle. It sprays a clear liquid that you wipe and polish immediately. If allowed to dry, it can leave streaks.The Clear Plastic Cleaner (No. 17) helps remove ground-in dirt and small scratches with a non-abrasive cleaning formula. The Clear Plastic Polish (No. 10) is a thick, creamy liquid that can follow the No. 17 cleaner, and provides a static-free coating that repels dust and shines up nicely.

Bottom line: Of the three Meguiars products, the No. 10 polish stood out best in its category.

Mothers Marine Power Plastic is a one-step cleaner, restorer, polish, and UV protectant. It is a creamy liquid in a bright red, 8-ounce plastic bottle that claims to remove light scratches, oxidation, stains, and yellowing. Once dried to a haze, it buffs out to a nice bright finish.

Bottom line: A good do-it-all product for reviving and protecting old windows. When polishing soft, clear vinyl, PS doesn’t recommend using it with a drill-mounted polisher, as Mothers suggests.

The Novus No. 1 Clean and Shine Plastic Polish did an excellent job of leaving a lustrous shine that resists fogging and static, and provides a good protective coating.Despite its name, the Novus No. 2 Fine Scratch Remover is meant as the first step in cleaning, and it does a good job of it. (There is also a more abrasive No. 3.)

Bottom line: These Novus products offer an excellent two-step program, particularly for scratched windows.

Originally developed for airplane windshields, Plexus Plastic Cleaner and Polish is well known for cleaning and polishing a multitude of plastic surfaces. The can sprays out a fine mist of clear liquid that cleans as it polishes and leaves a shiny anti-static protective residue.

Bottom line: This is a good product for well-maintained vinyl, but the metal can will rust.

Sailors Solutions

Sailors Solutions X-16 Plastic Window Polish is a combination cleaner (with extra-fine abrasive), polish, and UV protectant that works well but can separate over time. Follow directions and don’t let it dry too much, or it will be difficult to remove and will leave streaks.

Bottom line: The packaging is cheap (the label and directions smeared after a few uses), but the creamy liquid formula quickly removed some light scratches and left a nice shine.

Star brite has a two-step process for restoring and reviving clear plastic. Star brite Step 1 Plastic Scratch Remover is an ultra-fine abrasive for cleaning and restoring older plastic windows. The Step 2 Plastic Polish/Restorer is a light, clear liquid in an 8-ounce bottle that leaves a thin, polished coating.

Bottom line: This is an inexpensive and effective one-two punch for older vinyl.

West Marine

Packaged in an easy-to-stow 8-ounce spray bottle, West Marine’s One-step Plastic Cleaner Polish is a light, cream-colored liquid. It does a nice job of both cleaning and removing fine scratches, and it leaves a protective coating.

Bottom line: This cleaner-polish is held back by its higher price.

Yacht Brite

Yacht Brite Serious Shine, a 3-in-1 cleaner, polish and protectant in a 14-ounce aerosol, buffs to a nice shine and leaves a fine film that repels water with UV inhibitors and anti-static properties. It contains alcohol and solvents that are not recommended for some plastics.

Bottom line: This spray is easy to use and performs well, but the rust-prone aerosol can belongs ashore.

CONCLUSIONS

Don’t put too much stock in claims that hazing, yellowing, or scratches will be eliminated. We found no miracle cure.

Products that included fine abrasives to remove light scratches took several applications and a considerable amount of hand rubbing to slowly eliminate scratches. Since abrasives can do more harm than good, we recommend them only as a last resort. Dont use electric buffers and always test on an inconspicuous area.

When testers had done a good job of cleaning the vinyl with any of the cleaners, a second step of applying and buffing with a good polish obviously improved clarity. Applying a second coat of polish the next day produced a thicker, longer-lasting protective coating that shined and beaded better.

Many products were very effective at improving visibility and preventing staining and dirt buildup. Some were easier to use than others. The clear liquids have a tendency to run, so they should be applied to a cloth first. Creams show where you have been. Sprays are handiest and probably best for a quick retouch. Here’s what we found:

Of the products that claimed to only clean, the Imar 301 was the clear winner, and it also is safe for treated vinyl.

For owners of older dodgers with small scratches, the Novus No. 2 Fine Scratch Remover proved to be the most effective, followed closely by the Armada 210 Plus Plastic Cleaner/Polish and Mother’s Marine Power Plastic.

Among the polishes, the Imar 302 Protective Polish, Novus No. 1, Collinite No. 845, Mother’s Marine Power, and Aquatech’s Premier Polish produced the best shine and beading, rating Excellent.

The best one-bottle cleaner, scratch remover, and polish with UV protection was Mother’s Marine Power Plastic. Sailors’ Solutions X-16 also does it all and was rated Good-to-Excellent.

If you prefer a two-step process, then the Imar #301/#302 combo is the way to go. They produced the cleanest and shiniest windows and beaded water the best, earning the Best Choice honors. The Novus and Star Brite two-part products were close behind.

• In Search of Clarity
• Practical Sailor Value Guide: Clear-Plastic Cleaners
• How We Tested
• Download PDF Version

This article was first published February 19, 2009 and has been updated.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Are you now not providing the same charts as you had been for years? Has this great part of practical sailor gone the way of the do-do bird like the print edition.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Log in to leave a comment

Latest Videos

What’s the Best Sailboats for Beginners?

Why Does A Sailboat Keel Fall Off?

The Perfect Family Sailboat! Hunter 27-2 – Boat Review

Pettit EZ-Poxy – How to Paint a Boat

Latest sailboat review.

• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Online Account Activation
• Privacy Manager

Find a Dealer

Shop online, shop accessories, warranty registration.

Sportsman 10

Fishing boat.

123″ (312cm)

49 1/2″ (126cm)

525 lbs (238kg)

138lbs. (63kg)

Sportsman 10 Fishing Boat

You won’t need a trailer to transport the Sun Dolphin® Sportsman 10 Fishing Boat! This two-person fishing boat features two adjustable and removable swivel seats for convenience and ease-of-use. Its flat bottom design provides excellent maneuvering capabilities, even in shallow water. A compact design allows for you to easily fit it inside the bed of your truck or van for easy and efficient transportation to and from your favorite fishing spot!

• Height: 20 1/4″ (51cm)
• Limited Lifetime Warranty
• Materials:  Rugged UV-stabilized Fortiflex® High Density Polyethylene
• Model: Sportsman 10
• Brand: Sun Dolphin
• Designed, Molded & Assembled in the USA

Two-person fishing boat

Two adjustable and removable swivel seats for comfort

Built-in bow and stern motor mounts for optimal performance

Pre-wired for electric trolling motors (battery not included)

Compact design easily fits into truck bed or van

Formed battery box location

HP Rating: 3.5 HP

Max Trolling Motor Thrust: 40lbs. Shaft Length: 36”

A list of trusted retailers that carry our products on their online shopping platform.

Where to buy your next Sun Dolphin kayak or boat locally.

@ sundolphinboats

Join the Family - Share Your Adventures - Hashtag Your Photos #sundolphin

Load More...

Need to Register Your Sun Dolphin Boat?

Sun dolphin fishing boats.

2 Person Fishing Boat

American 12 Jon

Get In Touch

Sun Dolphin Boats 1790 Sun Dolphin Dr. Muskegon, MI 49444

Quick Links

Owner manuals, parts & support, accessories, manufacturer's statement of origin.

© 2024 Sun Dolphin Boats | All Rights Reserved | 231.332.1700

Privacy Policy

Terms of use.