Foldable Boats
- Thread starter rsotomayor
- Start date
What is the opinion of the nesting dingys? 2 hard sections connected mechanically
http://www.bateau.com/boats/FB11/index.php#/0
http://nestingdinghy.blogspot.com/?view=classic
too heavy? not trustworthy?
http://www.bateau.com/boats/FB11/index.php#/0
http://nestingdinghy.blogspot.com/?view=classic
too heavy? not trustworthy?
This is NOT a "someone told me" or "I heard" story!
This happened to ME!!!!
We went under the Golden Gate Bridge in 2004 and turned left. We stopped in Half Moon Bay for a few days. One of the days I was crossing the bay in our 8 Ft PB. It was just me so our 3.5 HP To-Hot-To would plane the dink.
About half way across the bay, I struck something that was totally underwater. I think it might have been a log or branch. It lifted the stbd side of the dink clear out of the water!!!! GOT MY FULL ATTENTION!!!
When I got back to the dock, I pulled the dink up on the dock to inspect. It had a scratch about 3 foot long or so. BUT, no real damage. NOT even a leak. We went on to use that PB till around 2010 or so.
Had I been in an deflatable, I would have wound up treading water in the middle of the bay, with the outboard under water holding our dink ASB (yes, we carry a separate ASB in the dink ANYTIME we are using it).
Greg
This happened to ME!!!!
We went under the Golden Gate Bridge in 2004 and turned left. We stopped in Half Moon Bay for a few days. One of the days I was crossing the bay in our 8 Ft PB. It was just me so our 3.5 HP To-Hot-To would plane the dink.
About half way across the bay, I struck something that was totally underwater. I think it might have been a log or branch. It lifted the stbd side of the dink clear out of the water!!!! GOT MY FULL ATTENTION!!!
When I got back to the dock, I pulled the dink up on the dock to inspect. It had a scratch about 3 foot long or so. BUT, no real damage. NOT even a leak. We went on to use that PB till around 2010 or so.
Had I been in an deflatable, I would have wound up treading water in the middle of the bay, with the outboard under water holding our dink ASB (yes, we carry a separate ASB in the dink ANYTIME we are using it).
Greg
I've had 2 porta botes a 8' for my 30' ODay and now a 12' for my current Catalina 350. We used to ferry 2 adults and 2 50#dogs in the 8 footer with out a problem but I bet it sure looked funny. We wanted to carry 4 adults so we went to the 12 foot. The 8' I bought new and found the 12 foot on Craigs list. They are hard to find used and still pricy.
I can ferry 4 adults with my old 3.5hp Johnson at a good speed. We usually tow and you don't know it there even under sail. It is so stable you can stand up in the bow. The PB is stiff when new but loosens up after a few uses. On deck it is easier to set up with 2 people. I would not have any thing but.
I can ferry 4 adults with my old 3.5hp Johnson at a good speed. We usually tow and you don't know it there even under sail. It is so stable you can stand up in the bow. The PB is stiff when new but loosens up after a few uses. On deck it is easier to set up with 2 people. I would not have any thing but.
Furthermore...
On the PortaBote website they show someone rowing one FULL of water. They don't sink. I plan to hang mine, assembled, off my davits.Just a point here, the Portaboat IS unsinkable. AND, is not easily damaged by floating debris like a deflatable.
AND, IT CAN BE ROWED even in windy weather. Having said that, the oars that come with it are not very good. We bought real ones to use.
Greg
Not sure about the new ones, but when my old one was full of water, if I tried to row it, the nose would dive down. :cry: I know because I tried it.
Greg
There is only so much flotation built into a PortaBote. Sure, it won't sink by itself, but will it support a 220lb guy and his wife? If you have to abandon ship in 5 foot waves how will it really hold up? It is essentially a row boat.
I'm sold!
OK, Greg and Scott, I've contacted the rep for the Annapolis Sailboat and pre-ordered a 10 footer. BTW the 10 footer is really 10' 8", so it's almost an 11 footer! ;-) I'm hoping for a sail kit, too. I want to put a Torqueedo 1003S electric motor on it.This is NOT a "someone told me" or "I heard" story!
This happened to ME!!!!
We went under the Golden Gate Bridge in 2004 and turned left. We stopped in Half Moon Bay for a few days. One of the days I was crossing the bay in our 8 Ft PB. It was just me so our 3.5 HP To-Hot-To would plane the dink.
About half way across the bay, I struck something that was totally underwater. I think it might have been a log or branch. It lifted the stbd side of the dink clear out of the water!!!! GOT MY FULL ATTENTION!!!
When I got back to the dock, I pulled the dink up on the dock to inspect. It had a scratch about 3 foot long or so. BUT, no real damage. NOT even a leak. We went on to use that PB till around 2010 or so.
Had I been in an deflatable, I would have wound up treading water in the middle of the bay, with the outboard under water holding our dink ASB (yes, we carry a separate ASB in the dink ANYTIME we are using it).
Greg
Price for new ones from the factory are in the 2500-2800 range , depending on the size. Get the impression that the oars are extra.
A better deal!
Ken Hoover 1-800-400-1540. He'll probably sell you one at show prices, even if you don't go. I think the 10'8" one is $1899.
Please mention my name if you call. Maybe he'll give me a deal on the sail package.
Call/write Ken Hoover at Porta Bote. He's doing the Annapolis Sailboat Show. Prices are MUCH better, free shipping and oars.
Ken Hoover 1-800-400-1540. He'll probably sell you one at show prices, even if you don't go. I think the 10'8" one is $1899.Please mention my name if you call. Maybe he'll give me a deal on the sail package.
Kenny,
Hope it works out for you as well as ours has for us! We thought about the 10 Ft, but stuck with the 8.
Did you see our Youtube video (8 min) on testing the Torqueedo on our Portaboat? It's at;
https://youtu.be/8lxXKGqvs_8
You might fine it interesting.
Greg
The only downside of the PB is when you are a large person such as myself.
there is no way to reenter the boat from the water.
The PB keeps flipping.
Having a small water craft that cannot be reboarded is a liability.
however, If I put my wife in the boat I can come in over the transom.
there is no way to reenter the boat from the water.
The PB keeps flipping.
Having a small water craft that cannot be reboarded is a liability.
however, If I put my wife in the boat I can come in over the transom.
NO SO, I am working on an article just now for a magazine about just that subject. Sorry I can't post it all just now.
Greg