Is anybody familiar with the folding "Porta Bote"? My wife and I are planning to get a dinghy for our sailboat, and I was thinking of getting one of the porta botes. One main consideration is that we have two dogs, and it just seems to be asking for trouble (i.e., punctures) to get an inflatible. What are the experiences of others? Thanks.
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portabote
I had a 12' portabote that I never folded up once I opened it up. It was way to large for my 22' Venture so I sold it. If you buy one get a 8' or 10' max and plan on having a job each time you want to open or close it. Best would be to tow it since it's unsinkable. Look or advertise for a used one, you should get one for less than 1/2 cost. Just don't get too large a boat since it is solid even when folded. Novelman
I had a 12' portabote that I never folded up once I opened it up. It was way to large for my 22' Venture so I sold it. If you buy one get a 8' or 10' max and plan on having a job each time you want to open or close it. Best would be to tow it since it's unsinkable. Look or advertise for a used one, you should get one for less than 1/2 cost. Just don't get too large a boat since it is solid even when folded. Novelman
Hi John, a fellow skipper has one and I've been...
in it many times. I prefer an inflatable. If you plan on rowing for extended periods they do better than an inflatable. I also find them very unstable, similar to a canoe. This skipper always keeps his unfolded and tows it, but I always carry my inflatable on the step transom (see P42 Knowledge Base). His model has this black plastic foam material on the seats and sides, which is deteriorating, making a mess of things. Terry
in it many times. I prefer an inflatable. If you plan on rowing for extended periods they do better than an inflatable. I also find them very unstable, similar to a canoe. This skipper always keeps his unfolded and tows it, but I always carry my inflatable on the step transom (see P42 Knowledge Base). His model has this black plastic foam material on the seats and sides, which is deteriorating, making a mess of things. Terry
I've had mine..
for more than ten years. It's by far the best dink I've ever owned. The damn thing is indestructible and unsinkable even when fully awash. It is about as stable a platform as anyone could hope for in a dink. It is near impossible to flip over when diving out or climbing back in. Clean with almost any cleaner and thats it. I have the 10 foot model and a 4 hp Yamaha and this thing will get up on a plane and fly. Loaded down with 4 adults and gear is no problem for it either.
for more than ten years. It's by far the best dink I've ever owned. The damn thing is indestructible and unsinkable even when fully awash. It is about as stable a platform as anyone could hope for in a dink. It is near impossible to flip over when diving out or climbing back in. Clean with almost any cleaner and thats it. I have the 10 foot model and a 4 hp Yamaha and this thing will get up on a plane and fly. Loaded down with 4 adults and gear is no problem for it either.
While you're waiting for answers to this thread
do a little bit of research, and do an archive search on porta bote, use exact phrase, and you'll be reading all night long.
do a little bit of research, and do an archive search on porta bote, use exact phrase, and you'll be reading all night long.
Capacity?
Look at the load carrying capacity of the porta-bote. Depending on where you will be cruising and for how long...this may be an important factor and RIBS are way better per foot in this aspect. We know lots of folks with dogs and RIBS and have never heard of puncture being an issue.
Look at the load carrying capacity of the porta-bote. Depending on where you will be cruising and for how long...this may be an important factor and RIBS are way better per foot in this aspect. We know lots of folks with dogs and RIBS and have never heard of puncture being an issue.
vacillating
I've been going back and forth on this issue. I think the 10 ft. porta bote would be the minimum we would need. The 8 footer basically is big enough for two adults and one medium to larger size dog (or equivalent gear). In other words, if you had a couple of guests it would mean several trips back and forth. On the other hand, a small inflatable (about 8 or 9 feet inflated) has far more carrying capacity. The other issue is stowing it. I don't know why, but to me towing a tender doesn't appeal to me. I feel it would slow you down a lot and also make you less maneuverable. Stowing a ten foot porta bote would be a bit of a problem, even on our fairly spacious Catalina 36. On the other hand, a small inflatable is easily stowed. I went in and talked with a salesman at West Marine and asked him about an inflatable vs. a rigid dinghy. Since I didn't ask about the porta bote, he had no incentive to push an inflatable (vs. rigid). He said that a well made inflatable would not present puncture problems as far as a dog is concerned. (My experience with the WM salespeople has been pretty positive in general anyway.) So I'm thinking of going with the inflatable. As far as a motor, this same salesman said that the new type battery that Torqeedo makes will cycle about as often as a cell phone battery, which is made on the same principle. Since those batteries last for years, it doesn't seem to me that this would be a problem. Also the size and quietness of it is pretty appealing. Thanks again to everybody who chimed in with their experiences and views. John
I've been going back and forth on this issue. I think the 10 ft. porta bote would be the minimum we would need. The 8 footer basically is big enough for two adults and one medium to larger size dog (or equivalent gear). In other words, if you had a couple of guests it would mean several trips back and forth. On the other hand, a small inflatable (about 8 or 9 feet inflated) has far more carrying capacity. The other issue is stowing it. I don't know why, but to me towing a tender doesn't appeal to me. I feel it would slow you down a lot and also make you less maneuverable. Stowing a ten foot porta bote would be a bit of a problem, even on our fairly spacious Catalina 36. On the other hand, a small inflatable is easily stowed. I went in and talked with a salesman at West Marine and asked him about an inflatable vs. a rigid dinghy. Since I didn't ask about the porta bote, he had no incentive to push an inflatable (vs. rigid). He said that a well made inflatable would not present puncture problems as far as a dog is concerned. (My experience with the WM salespeople has been pretty positive in general anyway.) So I'm thinking of going with the inflatable. As far as a motor, this same salesman said that the new type battery that Torqeedo makes will cycle about as often as a cell phone battery, which is made on the same principle. Since those batteries last for years, it doesn't seem to me that this would be a problem. Also the size and quietness of it is pretty appealing. Thanks again to everybody who chimed in with their experiences and views. John
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