Porta-bote: folding tender?

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JIM B

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Jun 27, 2006
107
Catalina 30 MKII ROOSEVELT AZ
A Friend Had One

A Sailor At Lake Roosevelt Had One As A Tender . It Seemed To Stow Nicely Along His Life Lines (on A Hans Christian 38). However His 60 Year Old Wife (165 Lbs?) Was Scared To Ride In It And Had A Lot Of Trouble Getting In And Out Of It. The One Time I Was In It, I Thought It Was Pretty Neat - But Still Prefer An Inflatable For My Purposes.
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
I looked into them

JIM B said:
A Sailor At Lake Roosevelt Had One As A Tender . It Seemed To Stow Nicely Along His Life Lines (on A Hans Christian 38). However His 60 Year Old Wife (165 Lbs?) Was Scared To Ride In It And Had A Lot Of Trouble Getting In And Out Of It. The One Time I Was In It, I Thought It Was Pretty Neat - But Still Prefer An Inflatable For My Purposes.
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The problem I found is that to be small enough to stow on deck they had a quite limited capacity (the 8.5 footer is 445 lbs for people motor and gear). They are also pricey (closer to $2k than 1K), so I bought a Water Tender 9.4 for $500 from WM instead. I really don't need to stow something on deck. If I did, I'd probably consider a folding kayak (or two) as it would offer recreation in addition to transportation.
 
zeehag

zeehag

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Mar 26, 2009
3,198
1976 formosa 41 yankee clipper santa barbara. ca.(not there)
they stow nicely and some folks actually like the flimsy feeling they give when in water and in use--i didnt--i sold mine long ago for an avon inflatable--lol-i dont like flimsy feel in boats...nor instability as i USE my dink for maintenance of my boat and it must be adequate for that. goodluck-if you find someone who has one and can try it out--go for it--
 
jebenz

jebenz

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Jun 2, 2004
14
Hunter 37 New Orleans, Louisiana
I own one. It stores nicely along the lifeline, kind of like a surfboard. You do need to get used to the flexability, it is a very diferent feel. Capacity can be a problem and you have to watch the weight of the motor. Unless Portabote has made improvements the wooden transom needs to be treated with resin or some other protectant as it tends to rot after a while.
 
SamLust

SamLust

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Jan 2, 2008
547
Hunter 33 (Cherubini design Forked River, Barnegat Bay, NJ
Since the floor peelrd off of my expensive Zodiac and the factory does'nt feel any need to make it good I have decided the port-a-bote will be my next small boat purchase. Row, motor, even sail, which shiuld be interesting, cons
 
C

captstu

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Sep 29, 2007
22
-Gemini 3400 #379 -Gemini Palm Beach, Florida
I bought a used 12' Portabote with a 5 hp Nissan about 2 years ago. Eventually I had to work on the engine - upgraded it to a 6 hp. The Portabote planes with 1 person with a 5 hp and 2 people (easily) with a 6 hp.

I use it 3 to 4 times/week to go in and out of the mooring and run around in salt water. It looks to have another year or so in it.

The boat is comfortable, folds easily for on-deck storage during crossings, and planes easily. It is dry in a light chop but won't withstand surf like a RIB.

Fully meets my needs and is more versatile than the 13' RIP I used to run - I can lift it off the beach when the tide goes out and stands me, impossible with the rib.
 
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