Porta Bote

[crick]

I'm looking for opinions of the "Porta Bote". It seems like
a good option for a dinghy.
Crick Haltom
Kalamazoo,MI





(Search terms: porta-bote, portabote, porta bote, baltik, affordable, sevytek, sevytex )

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

Porta Botes have been discussed here neumerous times. See archives. The concensus seems to be that it is almost impossible to set them up in the space available on a Mac. They will store great but there is just no place large enough on board to set one up.

[Jack O'Brien]

Tony wrote:
"The concensus seems to be that it is almost impossible to set them up in the space available on a Mac. They will store great but there is just no place large enough on board to set one up."

Aw, shucks. The concensus is right, but not as drunk as I was when I set it up on the foredeck all by myself on the hook in The Dry Tortugas. Man, is that sucker slippery on figerglass or what? Luckily, neither the boat nor I fell in.

Yes, it can be done but I do NOT recommend it. Much easier on land or dock. Then it is not difficult. Mine is the middle size 10"-8".

These are really GOOD little boats. Very dry riding, tows & rows well with good stability and control with the V hull. Mine planes with my 200 pounds, 3-gallon tank and a 2.5 HP 2-stroke Evinrude.

The ten foot, 3-seater is a little long to stow in the aft cabin as it protrudes in front of the galley. The 8 foot, 2-seater would be a better choice.

[Kevin]

I took my new 8 foot porta-bote on the cam am flotilla. Tried it for the first time.

I had practiced putting it together a couple times at home and had no problem setting it up or taking it back apart on the deck just behind the mast with the hatch closed.

I had the boom pulled up pretty good with the topping lift. Course at the same time I towed it behind for the 10 days.

She worked real well with a 35 pound electric trolling motor. Used solar panels to charge back up.

Way over loaded but the 8 foot boat worked fine for ferry duty with me and my nephew with a combined weight in excess of 560 pounds.

While I trailered with the boat folded and stored inside the boat, in the future I'll be tying it folded to the stanchions on deck like I've seen others do and just unfold it when I need it.

[ralphk]

Thumbs up!

I bought the 8 footer about two months ago.
My son and I caught some great bass out of it last weekend.

Though, it looks possible, I haven't yet tried setting it up on the deck. Perhaps loosening the lifelines on one side would help.

We stored the folded hull with bungies against the starboard stauntions.
The seats and transom were held by an elastic automotive cargo net outside the port stauntions. I was very happy with the arrangement and will use it again.

wrt the bote itself. - it exceeds expectations.
Zips along with our Mariner 2.5 - 2 stroke. Though it appears to be ride really low in the bow, it remained remarkably dry.


Be prepared for a lot of curious looks and questioning by others - but then you already own a MAC!

[Jim Bunnell]

I've used mine for a couple of years, but always as a towed dingy; I haven't tried assembling on deck. Tows great at sailing and motorsailing speeds, starts to weave around over 12-13 mph. I've used it mostly in the North Channel of Lake Huron, and it sure is nice to have that tough hide in all those rocks. Got caught out in a thunder storm with gusts up to 60 mph this year (reported from shore, I was kinda busy at the time) and the bote tracked true and upright as we bashed into the waves. Some other boats caught in it had their inflatables flip or submarine.

[Sloop John B]

What's to keep the 'bote' from submarining? If it capsizes or gets filled, does she go down?

[Jim Bunnell]

The bote has positive flotation, so it shouldn't sink. Towing, if it filled with water, it would probably go under until you stopped. I think it would be very unlikely it would fill under tow, though. The sharp entry bow rides up and over waves easily. Even in the storm, I got very little water (maybe a gallon or two) shipped into the bote.

[Sloop John B]

There's a 12' port a bote on ebay with 6hp four stroke, reserve met and high bid $1650, located above Birmingham, AL. 5 day auction ends tomorrow, 7 Aug sometime.

[Chuck Healey]

I bought the 8 foot model last Fall and have been very impressed. It sets up quickly and easily, tows well, and can get up to about 10 mph with my Merc 3.5.

[Andy26M]

I have the 8-foot model and just completed a 2 week trip with it. I set it up on the beach, though, and tow it around behind the boat - still don't want to scratch my decks all up trying to unfold it on deck!

It rows at least five times better/easier than any inflatable. It is extremely stable once you get used to the feel of the flexible floor underfoot. Huge capacity and your stuff stays dry. Seats are high and stable, comfortable for a few hours of fishing - no wet butts required.

My Dad and I decided to check the flotation while cleaning out the dirt one hot day and we swamped it and then sat in it - the built-in flotation kept our heads above water, though our weight did push the boat below the surface.

For towing, I put one of those "folding cube" water jugs in the back of the dinghy and bungy it in place - this acts as a little ballast and raises the bow a few inches (I don't have a motor on mine, I just row it). The dinghy tracks great under tow up to about 13 knots, but you do have to adjust the painter length so the dinghy rides just behind the wake.

These boats come with a little spray shield thingy that closes off the bow a bit, but I leave mine at home - the bow seems very low but has never taken on water.

I give my Porta-Bote two thumbs up!

- AndyS

[Sloop John B]

If one of you guys with the 8 foot porta bote could give me the dimensions on the thing folded up, I'm curious whether the thing would fit in a short bed pickup with the gate closed.

At eight feet it would be real close, and if its sort of thick, might not work.

[Tom Root]

If one of you guys with the 8 foot porta bote could give me the dimensions on the thing folded up, I'm curious whether the thing would fit in a short bed pickup with the gate closed.

At eight feet it would be real close, and if its sort of thick, might not work.

Huh?

Short bed pickups, are normally only 6', and it is doubtful that even crossways (corner to corner) would fit with the bed closed?

Maybe it's me but many posts (not just this one!) seem uncomprehendable to me, anyway! Probably me, huh?

If your short bed truck is 8', I want my money back, because I have a long bed, and it's only eight feet long!

Anyway, with all the rave reviews, I gotta consider one of these babies! I swear I truly avoided this post.....'cause I don't need anymore boats!

[Frank C]

Yeppers, Tom -

Now I'm confused too.
Your posts about the 2-person kayaks had me convinced until reading this thread. The easy answer is to have an inflatable kayak PLUS an 8-foot PB. Anyway, the shortie-PB is obviously a winner - about the kayaks ...

I know you'd suggest a Stearns (?) or some-such. Is the Sevylor kayak just too wimpy? And who makes the West Marine (canvas-covered?) version?

[Tom Root]

Frank, thanks....whew, thought I was loosing it!

The absolute best advice having owned over a dozen other inflatables, (yes, I should write a book, but first I gotta find a writer! ) is to do your homework, and choose by capabilities on what suits you. There are myriads of sources on the WWW, and a good start is this site. http://www.kayakonline.com/kayaks_a-o.html

It does review a few inflatables, and the other brands you mentioned, particulary sevylor ( I own one, so I can knock it) I can say to stay as far away from as possible. I ONLY have it as a backup to a primary tender, keep it stowed, and is one of my 'Justin Case' items!

Primarily I look for a product that performs what I need it for and shop the best deal. My credo to boat ownership has always been buy used. With very little wear and tear, I have always made some fair bargains buying used. As they say, anything that floats, flies or rolls, you have bought into a loosing proposition anyway! It would be great if a Mac held it's value let's say like a Harley, but that will be doubtful! But they are doing better than powerboats presently, and can safely say in the very near future, could possibly be an investment!

I used to buy out of paper ads, but why buy them anymore? In San Diego anyway, I now exclusevly use this resource-> http://sandiego.craigslist.org/about/cities.html

Just link to a nearby city and check it out! It has caught on like wildfire and become an absolute rage across the world. Some places are just catching on, but here in San Diego it IS the best place to buy, sell, and give away things.....and all truly for free!

I can roll a deal in less than 2 hours after posting on hot items, gave away many things, and fetched thousands of dollars of good stuff , all for nothing. It's a Karma thing with most posters, and me....and it works!

I paid less than 25% of retail for my Stearns, and the guy used it like 4 times, and did not want to store it, so let it go for a song! Patience on a particular item, and knowing the product helps, so do your internet homework, and buy at a better margin! Anyway that's just how I do it, I am not rich as most of you out there are!

And yes, even after my lengthy explanation. ( I'd never be guilty of being short, sweet, and to the point!) I must say, there have been many porta-botes in the ads on craigslist, some have even had the sailing kits, and many other accesories. I'd say in a span of six months, maybe 5 or so......patience!