Model: Length: Hull Weight: Beam: Max Payload: Cockpit Size: Rowing Draft: Sailing Draft: Sail Area:
Eastport Pram 7' 9" 62 lbs. 48 in. 375 lbs. Open 5" 25" 42 sq ft.

See other dinghies  Eastport Nesting Pram  Passagemaker  Passagemaker Take-Apart  PT Eleven Nesting Dinghy  PT Spear

Eastport Pram Configurations:
» (click here to learn about kit options)
Standard Configurations:
Eastport Pram Sailing Component Kit
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$1349
Base Eastport Pram Kit
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$1325
Alternative Configurations:

Eastport Pram Wood Parts Only Kit
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$925

Eastport Pram Plans & Manual Only
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$119

Manual Only
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$25

Manual Only - Emailed PDF
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$20

Study Plans - Emailed PDF
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$2.99
Additional Components:

Spacered Inwale Option
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$349

Egyptian Cream Sail Upgrade (special order)
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$110

Tanbark Sail Upgrade (special order)
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$110

Sail Package - Line & Cordage
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$45.54
Materials List for Plans Builders:
» view the Eastport Pram materials list and order a la carte!
Popular Accessories:
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Supplies List for Kit Builders:
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Recommended Add-Ons:

Nonskid Flooring for Smallcraft - Eastport Pram

$ 200

Shaw & Tenney Spoon Blade Oars - 6'6" Length (pair)

$ 399

The Eastport Pram, with more than 800 built, is one of the most popular small dinghies in the world.  Classic good looks, stand-out performance, and ease of construction are hallmarks of this John C. Harris design.

Now in production for ten years, the design was updated in 2010.  Now all Eastport Pram kits have the stitching holes for the temporary copper stitches drilled in all of the hull parts by our computerized machinery.  Bulkhead locations are indicated by drill holes and machined "mortises" so there's no need for measuring, and the parts fit exactly every time.

Build this Boat in a Week:

2024:

We updated the sailing rig in 2010.  While the old rig is powerful and weatherly, the new rig is taller, bigger, and sports battens for a sleeker look and even more power on all points of sail.  All this, and the Mark II mast is actually a foot shorter!  The new rig may be retrofitted to older Eastport Prams.   It’s simple to add the rig later if you just want a rowing boat to start with. In fact, the standard kit includes the daggerboard trunk, to make the conversion quick and easy months or years later!

We gave the Eastport Pram deep rocker for low wetted surface and to keep the transoms from dragging. The result is a boat that is as easy and satisfying to row as you can expect on such a short waterline. Used as a tender to a larger boat or kept at a dock, it's possible to undertake a long afternoon row around the local waters without breaking a sweat. Yes, an outboard or trolling motor may be fitted up to a maximum of 2 horsepower; the motor should not excide 30 lbs. 

The Eastport Pram’s many joys are multiplied when you add the sailing rig. Not a clumsy add-on, the large standing-lug sail and efficient rudder and daggerboard convert the pram into a proper sailboat with enough real performance, upwind and down, to keep the most seasoned sailors interested. The 48-inch beam means that the likelihood of capsize is remote as long as the sheet is never tied down. This is the perfect craft in which to learn to sail, whether the crew is age 8 or 80.

Small tenders should be able to withstand heavy handling alongside the mothership or in the dinghy park. Planking is 6mm okoume throughout, with three 9mm frames and seats. There’s a big, deep skeg for tracking under tow. In addition to multiple layers of fiberglass on the bottom panel, there are two cypress rubbing strips on the bottom to take the abrasion of dragging on a beach. For added safety, permanent flotation tanks are built in beneath the seats.

For all its virtues, perhaps the neatest thing about the Eastport Pram is the ease of construction using CLC's patented LapStitch™ process. Not only does the hull go together in a single weekend, but everyone agrees that the lapstrake Eastport Pram is one of the most beautiful dinghies they've ever seen. It will take the patient novice only 40-50 hours to assemble the hull, with a little more part time work for finishing. It is our easiest kit and perfect for families.

"Rowing from the center seat with the spoon-bladed oars moves the boat with a minimum effort, and it sails in just a ghost of a breeze. It punches through chop and boat wakes more easily than might be expected from such a light boat . . ." read the entire review - Good Old Boat Magazine, March 2001

Build this boat if:

  • You need an excellent rowing and sailing dinghy.
  • You need a dinghy with a maximum payload of 375 pounds.
  • You want a perfect small sail trainer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Eastport Pram weigh?

The designed weight is 62 pounds (28 kg).  Most builders will finish between 60 and 70 pounds (27 to 31 kg). 

What is the Eastport Pram's payload?

375 lbs (170 kg). 

How long does it take to build an Eastport Pram?

The average build time is about 105 hours.  The boat wires together in a single day, so the bulk of this time is for epoxy and fiberglass work, plus sanding, painting, and varnishing.  Add another 25 hours or so to the total building time for the sailing option.

Can I build the Eastport Pram in one of your build-your-own classes?

Yes.  We usually have one class a year for the Eastport Pram.  But since this is a relatively easy boat to build, attending a class can be fun and educational but unnecessary.  The classes get you through about 45 hours of construction, which is enough time to complete the major assemblies. You'll handle the finish prep work, painting, varnishing, and rigging at home. To learn more about our build-your-own classes, click here

How big an engine can I use? 

A 2 hp outboard will power the Eastport Pram to about 4 knots and is all you need.  The maximum engine size is 2 hp, and the motor should not exceed 30 lbs (13 kg) in weight.

Short or long shaft engine?

The transom is designed for a short-shaft (15" or 38 cm) engine.

Can two people row the Eastport Pram in tandem?

No. The two rowing stations are meant to accommodate multiple seating options.  For solo trips, you'll row from the midship station.  With passengers sitting aft, you'll move to the forward rowing station.  You must purchase a second set of oarlock sockets for the forward rowing position.

What sort of trailer do I need for the Eastport Pram? 

Although you can cartop the Eastport Pram or put it in the back of a pickup truck, a small trailer is convenient and assists in launching and recovery.  We use the Trailex SUT-250-SCLC, a lightweight aluminum trailer that conveniently ships to your door via FedEx.

What are the plans and manual like if I want to build from scratch instead of from a kit?

Plans include full-sized patterns, including parts for the sailing rig option. The manual includes photos and diagrams covering the entire build process.  Building the Eastport Pram does not require scarfing plywood panels.

Can you send me the plans digitally?

We’re sorry, but we currently do not yet offer downloadable plans for the Pram plans. We do offer a downloadable PDF manual. 

Can I build the rowing version first and add the sail kit later?

Yes. The Base Kit includes the daggerboard trunk, which is also the center seat support, and mast partner cut-out. These are integral structural members of the Eastport Pram. Converting to a balanced lug sail rig involves adding a mast step, mast partner doubler, daggerboard, rudder, tiller, mast, spars, sail, and rigging. These components can be added at any future time. If you do not plan to sail the boat, cutting out the daggerboard openings is unnecessary, but because the daggerboard trunk is already in place, you can add the sail rig any time.

How skilled do I need to be to build my own Eastport Pram?

Patient first-time boatbuilders can easily manage an Eastport Pram, especially working from a CLC kit.  We have gone to tremendous lengths to simplify assembly; all plywood parts are pre-cut and pre-drilled for the copper wire used for the stitch-and-glue setup. The builder’s manual walks you through the steps of working with epoxy and fiberglass.

Can the Eastport Pram be kept in davits?

Yes.  If you plan to use davits or a mechanical hoist, you should install backing plates for the lifting hardware, and a drain plug in the hull bottom and keep it open while the boat is hanging high and dry to prevent the hull from filling with water.

How does the Eastport Pram tow behind a bigger boat?

With a properly located bow eye, the Eastport Pram is well-balanced and tracks well under tow, which is one reason why it is such a popular tender for larger boats.

How does the Eastport Nesting Pram differ from the regular Eastport Pram?

These two boats share the same hull, but the nesting version has extra bulkheads, a gasket, and bolts with Star knobs to hold the two boat sections together.  The seating arrangement is a little different.  The “nested” package requires 4’9” x 4’ (145 x 122 cm) of deck or floor space for storage, and the two sections bolt together easily in under two minutes.

How stable is the Eastport Pram?

The Eastport Pram is very stable once you are seated in the boat rowing or sailing.  At less than 8 feet long, you need to use normal caution in getting in and out of the pram from a higher boat or dock. Adding our non-skid SeaDek pads provides additional traction and is a big safety factor for this boat.

Can two adults sail in the Eastport Pram?

There is plenty of room for two adults in the Eastport Pram when rowing or under power, but it can get slightly cramped for two adults when moving about under sail. The Eastport Pram is a perfect size for one adult to introduce a child to sailing or for an adult sailing solo. If you plan to sail regularly with two adults, you might want to consider building the slightly larger Passagemaker Dinghy.

Builders also looked at:

Eastport Nesting Pram | Passagemaker Dinghy PT Spear Dinghy