Description
The Highlander 7'6" Dinghy is a compact, versatile plywood tender and daysailer designed by British naval architect Paul Fisher of Selway-Fisher Design in the late 1970s, with updated plans available as of 2023. This ultralight, beginner-friendly boat uses just 2-3 sheets of 1/4" marine plywood for stitch-and-glue construction, making it an affordable entry point for home builders seeking a stable rowing/sailing dinghy for lakes, rivers, or sheltered bays. At 7 feet 6 inches, it's ideal as a yacht tender, fishing platform, or teaching tool for children, with optional sailing rig (sprit or lug) for gentle pottering. The design emphasizes simplicity, buoyancy, and portability—car-toppable by one person—and has been praised for its "no-fuss" build and forgiving handling in light chop. Updated versions include rounded bilge options and outboard compatibility, evolving from the original flat-bottom pram into a more hydrodynamic form. While not a high-performance racer, it's a timeless "pocket dinghy" for casual use, with over 100 examples built worldwide.
