John
I am vaguely familiar with the portabote which is similar to the old foldbote. I personally would not want to use it for coastal cruising. Even though it is capable of using an O/B and will still bouyant when completely emersed in water, what about your O/B? Can it take the submersing in sea water? To answer your question......There is no comparison between the portaboate and an RIB. The RIB is far superior. The portabote rows much better than an inflatable, but neither will row much at all with even the slightest head sea or head wind. I think you ought to take the portabote to the ocean and play with it some. An average day on the ocean is probably a bad day on the lake as far as wavelets and small chops are concerned. Try getting in and out of it from another boat when both are bobbing up and down. I think that 4HP should be adequate to get through the surf because that is what I have and have no problem with it. Looking back, I wish i would have gotten a 6HP for my 10-6 inflatable. The portabote will take on surf much faster than an inflatable and consider that you may be carrying groceries which will be destroyed, and again, what about the sea water that might submerge your o/b? IMHO Tony B
I am vaguely familiar with the portabote which is similar to the old foldbote. I personally would not want to use it for coastal cruising. Even though it is capable of using an O/B and will still bouyant when completely emersed in water, what about your O/B? Can it take the submersing in sea water? To answer your question......There is no comparison between the portaboate and an RIB. The RIB is far superior. The portabote rows much better than an inflatable, but neither will row much at all with even the slightest head sea or head wind. I think you ought to take the portabote to the ocean and play with it some. An average day on the ocean is probably a bad day on the lake as far as wavelets and small chops are concerned. Try getting in and out of it from another boat when both are bobbing up and down. I think that 4HP should be adequate to get through the surf because that is what I have and have no problem with it. Looking back, I wish i would have gotten a 6HP for my 10-6 inflatable. The portabote will take on surf much faster than an inflatable and consider that you may be carrying groceries which will be destroyed, and again, what about the sea water that might submerge your o/b? IMHO Tony B