Hudson folding boat at Beale Park Thames Boat Show, photographed
by Chris Perkins

The amazing Hudson folding boat floats! I hadn’t realised it was in a condition to do so, but these folks look suitably relaxed and dry for a trip on the River Thames.

Many thanks to our kind friend Chris Perkins for the photograph, and for the news that Mr Hudson’s invention still works well! It’s an interesting shape for a tender too, don’t you think?

Follow the link for more intheboatshed.net posts on the Hudson folding boat.

Hudson folding dinghy ready to travel

The National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s latest study boat area is dedicated to folding boats, and one of the exhibits is this Hudson folding dinghy.

Donated to the Museum by the Hudson family, the folding dinghy dates back to the 1930s.

It was designed and made by RJ Hudson, who originally came from Dublin and later moved to Devon, and folds down to make a flat object approximately 10 inches thick

Perfect for carrying along the running boards or roof of a car, or on the side-deck of a yacht, the boat was designed to open and fold in less than 30 seconds by means of a single lever. Each element slotted into place upon opening, and required no other form of securing.

Its strength of construction was gained from a rigid frame consisting of its stem, keel and sternpost. Specially prepared sheets of marine plywood were used for the planking, and the entire boat was said to have no fragile parts and no exposed canvas.

Promoted for fishing and duck shooting boat, the Hudson folding dinghy was one of the earliest folding boats and started a huge phase of easily accessible and transportable folding boats.

Two folding canoes designed and made by the Granta Folding Boat Company also feature in the display.

The display at the NMMC runs from the 28th January until the 30th April.

Go to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall website for more information about the organisation’s events.

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