port-o-boat

[tom]

We need a new dinghy as our walker Bay 8 just doesn't get the job done and is difficult to haul aboard. We thought of a roll up dinghy but I really don't like inflatables. At our marina I saw an old portoboat and it looked ugly as hell but seemed pretty tough. Anyone with experience using these things??? Can you put one together on the deck of a 32' sailboat?? Next time at the marina I'm going try tocatch the owner of the old boat and ask him. My main problem with the walker bay is that it is tippy. I usually sit in the floor to add stability. Tom

 

[Chip's Ahoy]

porta-bote

Tom,I have the porta-bote and it has worked out real well. As far as setting it up on your deck, I have the Catalina 350 and it is a little rough.When I know that I am going to use it I set it up before I go out. The boat stores well when it is flat but stowing the seats are a problem since they do not fit in the lazarettes. It's funny because my wife want's me to get the walker bay and put the floatatin devise around it. I guess that's why Ben and Jerry make different flavors of ice cream.Chip

 

[Andy]

Like the portabote

We have a 10 foot model on our 33. We love it. Easy to pull with minimal drag.Not sure about putting it together on the deck.I have seen boats that use surfboard racks on the lifelines, for a long sail we would do that, for weekending we just drag it and goof around.Very stable, very solid, very easy to row