Description
The Fatty Knees is a compact, classic fiberglass sailing dinghy designed by renowned naval architect Lyle Hess in the early 1970s, primarily as a versatile yacht tender that excels in rowing, towing, and sailing. Built by Edey & Duff in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, from the 1970s through 2009 (and revived by Fatty Knees Boat Co. in 2010s), it comes in three sizes: 7 ft (2.1 m), 8 ft (2.4 m), and 9 ft (2.7 m), with the 8 ft model (4 ft beam, ~100 lb. / 45 kg) being the most popular. Featuring a lapstrake-style hull for strength and aesthetics, a kick-up rudder, daggerboard, and ~50 ft² sail area (fractional sloop rig), it's renowned for stability (carries 2–3 adults), ease of handling, and planning potential in light winds—reaching 5–7 knots. Ideal for yacht tenders or standalone daysailers, it's hand-laid with marine plywood reinforcements and teak accents, accommodating a 2 hp outboard. Only ~200–300 units were produced, making it a collectible "New England tradition" for coastal gunkholing or beach launches.
