A little while before the end of last year I was contacted by a chap from Lower Halstow in Kent about his desire for a copy of one of my books. In conversation I discovered he ran a firm which ‘built’ proper tenders, rather than the rubber tube types so often seen flapping astern in a breeze…

I have not, as far as I am aware, seen one of these dinghies afloat, but the numbers of boats with ‘proper’ tenders does seem to be rising again. Anyone who knows me and what I get up to with my Faversham dinghy would testify to the level of enjoyment gained from the little thing (Twitch is her name…) by not only myself, but most of the people who have sailed aboard Whimbrel.

Let’s face it, when away cruising the east coast, sitting at ‘anchor’ is the most time-loaded occupation we do and there is a limit to the length one can chat or read etc…

The firm has the most unusual name for one which builds boats – Pond Life, for they make garden ornaments and ‘toys’ … don’t be fooled though!

See: https://www.pondlifeworkshop.co.uk/store/Rowing-boats-c26498377

There is an interesting range of tenders currently available, ranging from vessels of a little over 6′ to 10′, simulated clinker or ‘slab-sided’ hulls with flat bottoms.

The company moved to Suffolk at the end of 2019 and is now located not far from the Butley River at Capel St Andrew.

I raised the possibility of a sailing version of these dinghies. I was told that it is something being considered, so if interested ask for a price! The 10′ pram looks ideal for a use as a sturdy tender to give more pleasure than the function of getting to and from the boat.

The little ‘flatty’ version looks simple and functional.

The 10′ stem dinghy looks as if would tow well, but to my mind would benefit from a towing/painter point closer to the waterline.

The little 6′ pram is reminiscent of many little tenders that used to be available in past years. Most were clinker built too, although ‘flatty’ versions came along built from sheet ply. For someone cruising alone, this would make a grand follower astern…

The outfit of the Pond Life dinghy is quite lengthy with lots of extras to choose from (at a cost of course). Advertising says that layup is to Lloyds approved standards.

Since the picture of my Faversham dinghy was taken early last year, I have fitted an additional towing point (a u-bolt) through the stem onto a backing pad during last autumn. The as built eye is located just below the bow fender and has always been too high, in my opinion. It took me a quarter of a decade to rectify!

The dinghy, in light breezes when mother is ‘running slow’, has a tendency to slew, but not when a sailing in more of a breeze. So, it will be interesting to see how the lower painter point performs under tow.

Alan Staley will still build a Faversham dinghy, but to my mind these tenders from Pond Life deserve to be looked at.

I’d love to see a sailing version from Pond Life!

Credits: Pond Life pictures published with permission of proprietors.