We recently bought a C36 and are planning some coastal trips and trips up the Sacramento Delta area. For this, we are wanting to get a dinghy. I've been reading about the portabote folding boats. Naturally, their promotions make them sound far superior to inflatable dinghies. However, I also recently saw a used one advertised for sale in which the seller commented that it was for the delta and lakes, not for areas with higher winds. I'm wondering what is the experience of others? Would you recommend going with a traditional inflatable dinghy? Are the portabotes not that stable in higher winds? Any other thoughts? Thank you.
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dingy
I'll say up front that I don't like the folding boats, so this is an uninformed opinion. They look like an accident waiting to happen. That said a couple other issues are storage and towing. Where are you going to store it when underway. Most folding boats go on the side deck, not sure how much room they take up, but think it would limit movement on that side. An inflatable on the fore deck still leaves pleaty of room to move around. Can a folding boat be safely towed? I've pulled my inflatable around for weeks at a time, a little bit of chafe at the bridle points, but other wise it is structurally sound. I've never seen a big motor on a folder. They are usually rowed or powered by 2hp. Not much speed there, the wind might have a big effect. For your question about dogs, have heard no complaints about damage from nails from the 10-12 dog/inflatable owners in my marina. The rubberized fabric is designed to take alot of abuse.
I'll say up front that I don't like the folding boats, so this is an uninformed opinion. They look like an accident waiting to happen. That said a couple other issues are storage and towing. Where are you going to store it when underway. Most folding boats go on the side deck, not sure how much room they take up, but think it would limit movement on that side. An inflatable on the fore deck still leaves pleaty of room to move around. Can a folding boat be safely towed? I've pulled my inflatable around for weeks at a time, a little bit of chafe at the bridle points, but other wise it is structurally sound. I've never seen a big motor on a folder. They are usually rowed or powered by 2hp. Not much speed there, the wind might have a big effect. For your question about dogs, have heard no complaints about damage from nails from the 10-12 dog/inflatable owners in my marina. The rubberized fabric is designed to take alot of abuse.
Oh, now you tell us you have dogs
Hi again John. So much for inflatable floors, but we don't know how BIG or small your dogs are. could be two tiny poodles or two German Shepards. Only U know how their nails operate, but nails and inflatable boats don't make a good match, especially the floros, so you'd have to use a hard floor. Have you considered a Walker Bay dinghy? Any luck with the portabote in the archives? Re coastal cruising, and vs Delta. Need a better definition of "stiff winds for coastal cruising." Is it for if you're anchored out and need to get back and forth to shore when the winds over 20? Then that may well be a different boat than you'd need for the Delta.
Hi again John. So much for inflatable floors, but we don't know how BIG or small your dogs are. could be two tiny poodles or two German Shepards. Only U know how their nails operate, but nails and inflatable boats don't make a good match, especially the floros, so you'd have to use a hard floor. Have you considered a Walker Bay dinghy? Any luck with the portabote in the archives? Re coastal cruising, and vs Delta. Need a better definition of "stiff winds for coastal cruising." Is it for if you're anchored out and need to get back and forth to shore when the winds over 20? Then that may well be a different boat than you'd need for the Delta.
not hiding anything
yeah, the dogs are so much a part of our lives that I forgot to mention it. The larger one is about 70 pounds. I thought about the issue of where I would stow a folding boat, and it does seem to me that an inflatable would be better from that point of view. As for wind - I suppose that we'd be encountering winds up to 20 knots in a more or less protected anchorage. Does anybody know how a folding boat does in that sort of situation vs. an inflatable? John PS. by the way, I also have a 300 pound pet tiger that I would be taking. Would that be a problem? (just kidding.)
yeah, the dogs are so much a part of our lives that I forgot to mention it. The larger one is about 70 pounds. I thought about the issue of where I would stow a folding boat, and it does seem to me that an inflatable would be better from that point of view. As for wind - I suppose that we'd be encountering winds up to 20 knots in a more or less protected anchorage. Does anybody know how a folding boat does in that sort of situation vs. an inflatable? John PS. by the way, I also have a 300 pound pet tiger that I would be taking. Would that be a problem? (just kidding.)
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