Does anyone use a Watertender dinghy with their Mac. If so, what are your overall impressions, value for $$$, convenience, etc.?
(Search terms: dink, dinghy, porta-bote, portabote, porta bote, baltik, affordable, maxxon, sevytek, sevytex )
Watertender dinghy
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Terry
- Admiral
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:35 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada. '03 26M - New Yamaha 70
Dinghy
I didn't know what a Watertender dinghy even was so I did a google search and now I know it is a POS. But that is only my opinion and I am bias against that style. I don't like walker bay either. Here are a couple links:
http://www.greatoutdoors.com/leisurelif ... der94.html
http://www.backyardboats.com/Sales/dg.asp
It is heavy,(106lbs) only holds two people (480lbs) is 9'4" long and is cumbersome.
I tend to lean towards inflatables for the Mac, they are lighter, more easily stowed and carry more weight. My 9'9" Titan/Maxxon weighs 78lbs and can carry over 1000lbs and take an 8hp motor and can either be towed or stowed on board. It is also much safer but more expensive too. Do a search on dinghies there is much discussion on them.
http://www.greatoutdoors.com/leisurelif ... der94.html
http://www.backyardboats.com/Sales/dg.asp
It is heavy,(106lbs) only holds two people (480lbs) is 9'4" long and is cumbersome.
I tend to lean towards inflatables for the Mac, they are lighter, more easily stowed and carry more weight. My 9'9" Titan/Maxxon weighs 78lbs and can carry over 1000lbs and take an 8hp motor and can either be towed or stowed on board. It is also much safer but more expensive too. Do a search on dinghies there is much discussion on them.
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March
- Captain
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Iowa, MacGregor 26X, Yamaha 4 stroke 50 HP
Why not go with an inflatable dinghy? It's easier to store, and looks just as stable as the watertender, if not more.
I've been pretty pleased with the Seahawk we got two years ago I am sorry, I can't seem to be able to provide a link, but it should be easu to search, in case they make still make it
I've been pretty pleased with the Seahawk we got two years ago I am sorry, I can't seem to be able to provide a link, but it should be easu to search, in case they make still make it
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K9Kampers
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH, former 26X owner
I've read the dinghy archives on this forum, but nothing specific to the Watertender.
We are in the market for an inexpensive dinghy, in the range up to $500. We favor inflatables, but are shy on the cost, even tho it would be a long term value invsestment. We've got a list of wants and needs for the new-to-us boat, and are trying to prioritize the list for the first season. A cheap dinghy is appealing, but we may just tow our sit-on-top kayak for the multi day lake cruising we will be doing this season, and save our dinghy dollars for next year.
We are in the market for an inexpensive dinghy, in the range up to $500. We favor inflatables, but are shy on the cost, even tho it would be a long term value invsestment. We've got a list of wants and needs for the new-to-us boat, and are trying to prioritize the list for the first season. A cheap dinghy is appealing, but we may just tow our sit-on-top kayak for the multi day lake cruising we will be doing this season, and save our dinghy dollars for next year.
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aya16
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- Joined: Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:29 am
- Location: LONG BEACH CALIF Mac M 04 WHITE
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1
I just bought this best offer from me was 430.00 the seller excepted it and Ill be picking it up Sat. This one I bought for a freind.
I already bought one of these from the same guy 9.5 feet two seats airfloor pump and oars for 550.00 a year ago. I can tell you the boat is high quality pumps up hard as a rock the air floor is stable and takes 11 psi pressure in the floor. standing on it is just as good as plywood. I highly recomend them and the seller is straight up. Its made of pvc but very thick and west marine sells almost the same boat for about 1500.00
I just bought this best offer from me was 430.00 the seller excepted it and Ill be picking it up Sat. This one I bought for a freind.
I already bought one of these from the same guy 9.5 feet two seats airfloor pump and oars for 550.00 a year ago. I can tell you the boat is high quality pumps up hard as a rock the air floor is stable and takes 11 psi pressure in the floor. standing on it is just as good as plywood. I highly recomend them and the seller is straight up. Its made of pvc but very thick and west marine sells almost the same boat for about 1500.00
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aya16
- Admiral
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- Location: LONG BEACH CALIF Mac M 04 WHITE
This is west marines almost the same for 2449.00
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... 801/132/10
The baltic is wider and has wood seats. I looked at this one from west marine because its made out of the same material and its the same size as mine (the 9.5) you notice that mine has a 5 foot beam and the price is way higher at west marine.
Heres the baltic compare the specs with the west marine 310 on clearance.
http://cgi.ebay.com/A-9-5-INFLATABLE-PO ... dZViewItem
this one could probably be had for 500.00 - way better boat. Like I said the price I paid was way lower then the guy has them listed for either bid or make an offer.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... 801/132/10
The baltic is wider and has wood seats. I looked at this one from west marine because its made out of the same material and its the same size as mine (the 9.5) you notice that mine has a 5 foot beam and the price is way higher at west marine.
Heres the baltic compare the specs with the west marine 310 on clearance.
http://cgi.ebay.com/A-9-5-INFLATABLE-PO ... dZViewItem
this one could probably be had for 500.00 - way better boat. Like I said the price I paid was way lower then the guy has them listed for either bid or make an offer.
Or how about a Portabote. Tows great.
Ebay item, new portabote but no photo: http://tinyurl.com/g78q8
(oops, just looked at the listing again and it's *like* new, not new)
Ebay item, new portabote but no photo: http://tinyurl.com/g78q8
(oops, just looked at the listing again and it's *like* new, not new)
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They Theirs
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mallardjusted
- First Officer
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Puget Sound, 2001 Sold Oct2021 "Aqua Dawg", 70hp Yam
I used to have a 10 1/2 foot inflatible, but sold it after I got my Portabote. For my uses the Portabote is vastly superior. Having said that, I used the dinghies on my Bayliner powerboat (2655) that I sold year before last. I just recently purchased an X, and I will figure out how I will use it with it. I will NOT go back to using an inflatible!
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Frank C
Mallard,
People who make peace with Portabote sure do sing its praises. I recall indestructible and "perfect under tow" as the advantages, offset by complaints of weight, and that the 10-footer is prolly too large to stow aboard.
Strictly for towing, since assy or folding are impossible on board the 26X ... gotta be the same problem for the M. So now I'm curious, after another glowing report, why do you so emphatically favor it over those air-boats??
People who make peace with Portabote sure do sing its praises. I recall indestructible and "perfect under tow" as the advantages, offset by complaints of weight, and that the 10-footer is prolly too large to stow aboard.
Strictly for towing, since assy or folding are impossible on board the 26X ... gotta be the same problem for the M. So now I'm curious, after another glowing report, why do you so emphatically favor it over those air-boats??
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They Theirs
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Posted By: Dana
Date: 2/2/06 6:56p.m. In Response To: Porta-bote (Tom T House)
Hi, I was thinking of one. I received their brochure and was all for getting one when I happened to see America's Funniest Home Videos. Would you believe they had one that should this older gentleman trying to pop out the sides and his foot slipped and he fell inside the half opened boat and then the sides closed in on him. Really funny video. But since I'm an older gentleman (use the term loosely!!) and I know my decks get slippery, I decided against being swallowed up by one of these sping loaded things. I'll stick to a RIB, kayak or Walker Bay, thank you. Although, I did receive a reply (on another board) where the fellow uses one all the time and stows it along side the cabin when not in use. Just another compromise as all things are when sailing.... Thanks
Well, it's about time for me to ask a stupid question, driven by winter induced, cabin fever...
Has anyone ever tried using a Porta-bote for a tender??? rather than an inflatable.
What was the good, bad and ugly learned? Thanks, Tom Dana Cape Dory 25, 1977, #541 San Diego Bay
Posted By: Jim Triton 94 - KD7YLL Date: 2/1/06 4:08p.m.
In Response To: Porta-bote (Tom T House)
I haven't used one personally, but I hear nothing but good about them. (except price) The best thing about them is that they fold up flat and you can carry them edgewise tied to a stanchion out of the way on the house side deck.
I own one
Posted By: Pez
Date: 2/2/06 10:47a.m.
In Response To: fold up (pic) (Jim Triton 94 - KD7YLL)
While they are worthy craft on the water, they really cry out for a flat surface that is about 6 feet wider than their beam and a few feet longer than their length. A fair amount of strength and balancing is required to unfold them. It could be very tough to do on a boat without a fairly flat area like the one I describe, or in a pitching boat. I have always assembled it on land or a dock.
Also realize that when folded up, you must still store the removeable wooden bench seats covered with about 5 inches of closed-cell foam on the sitting side. The wooden transom must also be stored.
In addition, the means of attaching a line to the bow use some rather small brass grommets that are in the nose of the hull. This limits the diameter of the line that you can tow it with. The typical ring at the front of an inflatable in superior, IMO.
But there's no denying that they ride better, are more efficient, have more room and are more comfortable than an inflatable. If you plan on assembling it before you go and simply towing it or hanging it from davits, then I'd say it's superior. But those are BIG ifs.
Mine is a 12 footer that is great on lakes. But when I began to consider it as a tender, I found myself wishing I had an 8 footer. As I am a power boater, an 8 footer could be turned upside down on the bow and remain assembled, even though my LOA is only 26 feet.
Porta-boat Posted By: Gary
Date: 2/2/06 12:42p.m. In Response To: I own one (Pez)
I have the 10.5' and I love it. I can fish out of it and fold or assemble it on deck. There are tricks that make this easier than it appears
Date: 2/2/06 6:56p.m. In Response To: Porta-bote (Tom T House)
Hi, I was thinking of one. I received their brochure and was all for getting one when I happened to see America's Funniest Home Videos. Would you believe they had one that should this older gentleman trying to pop out the sides and his foot slipped and he fell inside the half opened boat and then the sides closed in on him. Really funny video. But since I'm an older gentleman (use the term loosely!!) and I know my decks get slippery, I decided against being swallowed up by one of these sping loaded things. I'll stick to a RIB, kayak or Walker Bay, thank you. Although, I did receive a reply (on another board) where the fellow uses one all the time and stows it along side the cabin when not in use. Just another compromise as all things are when sailing.... Thanks
Well, it's about time for me to ask a stupid question, driven by winter induced, cabin fever...
Has anyone ever tried using a Porta-bote for a tender??? rather than an inflatable.
What was the good, bad and ugly learned? Thanks, Tom Dana Cape Dory 25, 1977, #541 San Diego Bay
Posted By: Jim Triton 94 - KD7YLL Date: 2/1/06 4:08p.m.
In Response To: Porta-bote (Tom T House)
I haven't used one personally, but I hear nothing but good about them. (except price) The best thing about them is that they fold up flat and you can carry them edgewise tied to a stanchion out of the way on the house side deck.
I own one
Posted By: Pez
Date: 2/2/06 10:47a.m.
In Response To: fold up (pic) (Jim Triton 94 - KD7YLL)
While they are worthy craft on the water, they really cry out for a flat surface that is about 6 feet wider than their beam and a few feet longer than their length. A fair amount of strength and balancing is required to unfold them. It could be very tough to do on a boat without a fairly flat area like the one I describe, or in a pitching boat. I have always assembled it on land or a dock.
Also realize that when folded up, you must still store the removeable wooden bench seats covered with about 5 inches of closed-cell foam on the sitting side. The wooden transom must also be stored.
In addition, the means of attaching a line to the bow use some rather small brass grommets that are in the nose of the hull. This limits the diameter of the line that you can tow it with. The typical ring at the front of an inflatable in superior, IMO.
But there's no denying that they ride better, are more efficient, have more room and are more comfortable than an inflatable. If you plan on assembling it before you go and simply towing it or hanging it from davits, then I'd say it's superior. But those are BIG ifs.
Mine is a 12 footer that is great on lakes. But when I began to consider it as a tender, I found myself wishing I had an 8 footer. As I am a power boater, an 8 footer could be turned upside down on the bow and remain assembled, even though my LOA is only 26 feet.
Porta-boat Posted By: Gary
Date: 2/2/06 12:42p.m. In Response To: I own one (Pez)
I have the 10.5' and I love it. I can fish out of it and fold or assemble it on deck. There are tricks that make this easier than it appears
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They Theirs
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- Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2005 1:42 pm
From.Latitudes & Attitudes the Cruising Lifestyle
posted November 10, 2005 10:25 PM
Michael
Charter Member
Member # 3218
Yes I used on on the previous 26' boat. Folded up it rode just inside the starboard rail with a bit sticking out. On the neew 31' boat I chose to go with an inflatable though due to deck, especially side deck space considerations. The portabote itself is a good design. It both rows and motors well. In addition one could add Dinghy Dogs or something similar on the sides (inflateable tubes). Given the storage space available on your big boat I would not hesitate to recommend them.
M.
Porta-Boat
posted November 11, 2005 05:36 AM
Macks
Charter Member
Member # 2648
I have a 10'er with a 5 hp motor. It is carried on a surfboard carrier outside the lifelines of a 36'sloop. The 'bote planes with 2 up, and rows easily. The poly propylene is indestructible and beaching technique is a full speed ram, lifting the motor just before impact.
The downsides: Don't tow unless in protected water. don't tow in a following wind or sea. Set up and knockdown is relatively easy, but rummaging through the mothership to gather all the parts and restoring everything to order is time consuming. As a result, casual use of the boat is avoided. In overnight anchorages, the dinghy is not deployed.
My preference would be a RIB on davits but I can't justify a $6000.00 package, so the portabote is it.
posted November 11, 2005 07:56 AM
S/V My Prozac
Charter Member
Member # 4464
We have a 10'er also. OB will be one of this next season's treats. I like it because it's got tons of room and is stable to stand in while lifting stuff & dogs to & from the mothership. Four people & gear are not a crowd. Assembly is not bad, although I wouldn't want to do it onboard my 25'er Might be a bit like wrestling an anaconda in a bathtub. We keep all the seats & assembly stuff together in a large canvas sack we bought at a military surplus store. I can carry the sack by myself and I'm not known for my upper body strength. The collapsed boat only weighs about 50+ lbs. Dave was very resistant to the looks too, but it has been a good answer for us. We bought it at a sportsman show and the rep, Warren Michaels, is a sailor who uses one as a tender too. He sails out of Blaine in fact. He has input about how he rigged his for towing etc.
posted November 11, 2005 12:18 PM
brad barrett
Charter Member
Member # 999
They are safe, stable, and perform very well...part of the "Practical Sailor" review...
Performance with a 4-hp. engine was, in a word, startling! The boat, even with a 200-pounder and some gear aboard, jumped up onto a plane in less than 50', with no movement nor other acrobatics required on the part of the driver. With only a driver, we reached a speed of 15.2 knots. As a reference point, the easiest-planing RIB we tested, the Apex A10, could only achieve a partial plane and a top speed of only 9.3 knots, with a 4-hp. motor and a solo driver.
Stability is excellent. You can stand almost anywhere in the boat without danger of tipping. Porta-Bote is roomier than a comparably sized inflatable. Unlike an inflatable, the entire interior of the boat is available for loading gear.
Assembling the Porta-Bote is quick and easy. The entire operation, after a bit of practice, takes about six minutes. All fittings are stainless steel or anodized aluminum. Once you put the Porta-Bote together, you have an open dinghy with a 5' beam. The seats and gunwales carry foam flotation to keep the boat afloat and upright even if swamped
The Porta-Bote has a soft ride, apparently because much of the force of waves hitting the boat is soaked up in the hull's flexing. It's a nimble boat, not surprising for a beamy, essentially flat-bottomed craft. What we found surprising was how accurately it steered, exhibiting very little of the skidding on turns that we'd expected. The handling of the Porta-Bote was very good. Accurate turns could be negotiated at speeds that were somewhat above our testers' confidence levels....The hull material, which carries a 10-year warranty, is really tough... over 50,000 currently in use...
The boat is okayed for import into Japan, which has the highest standards in the world, and the testing they put a boat through before allowing it to be imported is grueling...
I researched the boat, and there are a lot of good things about it, I just couldn't get over how ugly it is to my eyes, that's the reason I couldn't bring myself to get one...
Here is a link to a whole bunch of reviews... Reviews of Portaboat
posted November 11, 2005 01:30 PM
DKD
Charter Member
Member # 2771
I agree with all of the positive comments....I have a 12 footer, and becuase of my rig configuration, davits are impractical. And towing is very impractical. And stowing on deck with a full 12' footprint is again, in my case, impractical. I stow my porta bote flat as a surfboard, assemble on deck when needed, and use a sling to lower in the water. I think they are a great solution to many of the dinghy problems some of us have.
Timber, on the next jump up. I'll bring mine over and you can try it out for yourself.
DKD
posted November 12, 2005 09:25 AM
able snead
Charter Member
Member # 1495
We started with a porta boat, being neophytes we thought all those guys with inflatables must know something we didn't. We were mistaken--as soon as these trades let me get to PR I'm buying another one. Other than ugly I cant think of any real everyday use downside.
posted November 12, 2005 02:48 PM
S/V Leapin Lizard
Charter Member
Member # 14
They suck. Period.
This horse has been beat around here like the "Guns on boats thread."
I've had one, hated it. Spent $1,200 for the damn thing. It was a time comsuming pain in the butt to put together, It left black marks on the deck, it chafted the port jib lines, couldn't store it on deck so I bought a windsufer rack for life line sanction mounting, now huge blind spot to port, The sun (U/V) went to work on the plastic, Had to have a canvas shop make a bag to hold all of the sh~t it takes to assemble it ( after having to buy more of the stuff because it got lost in the boat). It got where I hated it so bad I went and rented a mini wharehouse unit to store it. Bought a 10' fiberglass pram, added some davits, and lived happly ever after. When I sold the boat I pulled it out and said "Look at this Fine dink to go with the boat" (Wink-wink). The fiberglass pram went with me on two other boats since.
If you'r thinking about buying one, my suggestion is to rent/borrow one and try setting it up on your fore deck while achored (away from the dock). Just to see if it's something you'll want to do at every anchorage you enter.
Dan
posted November 12, 2005 03:13 PM
brad barrett
Charter Member
Member # 999
So, basically all the problems you had with it would have been solved if you'd hung it in the davits....I mean let's face it, assembling anything on deck is a pain in the ass, anything leaves marks/chips on deck,etc...,
posted November 12, 2005 04:45 PM
S/V Leapin Lizard
Charter Member
Member # 14
Then why do it in the first place? It's 12' long. Unless you'r on a very large monohull (or a catamaran) then you have some size isusses when healing. Why put it on davits? The whole concept is to fold it up out of the way. They were designed for RV campers not boat decks. If your putting it on davits why not get a much better dink and put "it" on those davits?
Dan
posted November 12, 2005 05:36 PM
brad barrett
Charter Member
Member # 999
Oh, I won't get one...i don't like the looks, and there are some things I'll compromise on and others I won't...but that was kinda my point...On average to smaller crusing yachts, tenders are a compromise just like the cruisning boat is...for some, the portabote will be great...
I was just pointing out that davits and hard dinks, rib's and roll-ups. all have thier challenges too...For instance, I'd never carry any boat on davits in a heavy weather following seas situation on a regular to average sized sailboat...I use a nexting dinghy...beats the crap out of the big boat getting it on deck,assembled etc., and can't (won't) use davits on my boat...so, I compromise too...
posted November 13, 2005 12:16 AM
Timber
Charter Member
Member # 1368
This is what I love about the board, ask for an honest opinion and youll get it.
Who needs practical sailor?
Well I bought it, the porta boat that is, I dont know if its what I want to take on the boat crusing or not, but it was for sale by a local charity, was a good deal and the money went to a good cause and best of all was attach to a brand new 4hp Nissan 4 stroke I wanted anyway, so I am adding the porta bote to my dock side fleet.
I would like to find a tender that will go 10 miles or so, in semi protected waters at a speed that will get you there and back in the same afternoon. We like anchoring away from the towns whenever we can, and there are those inevitable grocery runs
I agree with Brad about there being no prefect tender, they all a compromise in some way, We have a trinka, a whaler, a achilles inflatable, two inflatable kayaks, a sea swirl and Livingston. None of these do every thing well all the time and I cant take them all with me. I might as well test one more option before I leave the dock for good.
The pros and cons discussed here are intriguing; the black rub strakes are a minus I hadnt considered. On the other hand they do have a reputation for durability and surprising long warranty. The speed they are reported to a attain for a given HP has me interested, but as far as Viking funerals go, well, you might have yourself folded up in one and set a fire. No doubt you would find yourself on the way to Valhalla in a toxic cloud of PVC plastic. I hope never to form any real opinion on this use of a porta bote.
When not in use, PORTAbote folds into a compact, flat package less than 12cm deep that is easy to store and transport. It is small enough to be stored permanently on rescue vehicles and can be hand-carried to remote locations. Once at an incident it unfolds in seconds and is ready to launch. Removable seats are provided and an optional outboard motor can be fitted to extend the boats range and capability.
I've got a 12 ft Portabote, which is probably the most common folding boat. I'm not really familiar with other brands.
The Portabote is a good size and very stabile. Definitely harder to tip than a small jon boat, I've played around in shallow water and found that it's almost untipable. I've had mine out on big rivers and some lakes in rough conditions and never felt threatened. It's light enough to go through some pretty shallow water, and also light enough to drag if things get too shallow. The plastic (polypropelene) hull is incredibly tough. It carries nicely on a roof rack. With one passenger it gets up on plane and moves pretty fast using a 5hp outboard.
Now the negatives.. It's a pain to set up. The adverisements list the hull weight (69lbs for mine), but don't mention the big bag of seats, transom, etc that add another 30-40lbs and takes up a chunk of space in your car or home. You have to cary the outboard somewhere - inside the car. There goes another chunk of space, and be ready for gasoline fumes. The design only allows fairly limited horsepower outboards, ok for some use, but it's a problem for me trying to get anywhere upstream on a big river with a passenger and gear. The flexible sides are not good for rod holders.
Eventually I got a trailer, and now I just leave mine assembled. If I had it to do over, I would just get an aluminum boat. But the folding boats do have their niche, and I've had a lot of fun with mine.
posted November 10, 2005 10:25 PM
Michael
Charter Member
Member # 3218
Yes I used on on the previous 26' boat. Folded up it rode just inside the starboard rail with a bit sticking out. On the neew 31' boat I chose to go with an inflatable though due to deck, especially side deck space considerations. The portabote itself is a good design. It both rows and motors well. In addition one could add Dinghy Dogs or something similar on the sides (inflateable tubes). Given the storage space available on your big boat I would not hesitate to recommend them.
M.
Porta-Boat
posted November 11, 2005 05:36 AM
Macks
Charter Member
Member # 2648
I have a 10'er with a 5 hp motor. It is carried on a surfboard carrier outside the lifelines of a 36'sloop. The 'bote planes with 2 up, and rows easily. The poly propylene is indestructible and beaching technique is a full speed ram, lifting the motor just before impact.
The downsides: Don't tow unless in protected water. don't tow in a following wind or sea. Set up and knockdown is relatively easy, but rummaging through the mothership to gather all the parts and restoring everything to order is time consuming. As a result, casual use of the boat is avoided. In overnight anchorages, the dinghy is not deployed.
My preference would be a RIB on davits but I can't justify a $6000.00 package, so the portabote is it.
posted November 11, 2005 07:56 AM
S/V My Prozac
Charter Member
Member # 4464
We have a 10'er also. OB will be one of this next season's treats. I like it because it's got tons of room and is stable to stand in while lifting stuff & dogs to & from the mothership. Four people & gear are not a crowd. Assembly is not bad, although I wouldn't want to do it onboard my 25'er Might be a bit like wrestling an anaconda in a bathtub. We keep all the seats & assembly stuff together in a large canvas sack we bought at a military surplus store. I can carry the sack by myself and I'm not known for my upper body strength. The collapsed boat only weighs about 50+ lbs. Dave was very resistant to the looks too, but it has been a good answer for us. We bought it at a sportsman show and the rep, Warren Michaels, is a sailor who uses one as a tender too. He sails out of Blaine in fact. He has input about how he rigged his for towing etc.
posted November 11, 2005 12:18 PM
brad barrett
Charter Member
Member # 999
They are safe, stable, and perform very well...part of the "Practical Sailor" review...
Performance with a 4-hp. engine was, in a word, startling! The boat, even with a 200-pounder and some gear aboard, jumped up onto a plane in less than 50', with no movement nor other acrobatics required on the part of the driver. With only a driver, we reached a speed of 15.2 knots. As a reference point, the easiest-planing RIB we tested, the Apex A10, could only achieve a partial plane and a top speed of only 9.3 knots, with a 4-hp. motor and a solo driver.
Stability is excellent. You can stand almost anywhere in the boat without danger of tipping. Porta-Bote is roomier than a comparably sized inflatable. Unlike an inflatable, the entire interior of the boat is available for loading gear.
Assembling the Porta-Bote is quick and easy. The entire operation, after a bit of practice, takes about six minutes. All fittings are stainless steel or anodized aluminum. Once you put the Porta-Bote together, you have an open dinghy with a 5' beam. The seats and gunwales carry foam flotation to keep the boat afloat and upright even if swamped
The Porta-Bote has a soft ride, apparently because much of the force of waves hitting the boat is soaked up in the hull's flexing. It's a nimble boat, not surprising for a beamy, essentially flat-bottomed craft. What we found surprising was how accurately it steered, exhibiting very little of the skidding on turns that we'd expected. The handling of the Porta-Bote was very good. Accurate turns could be negotiated at speeds that were somewhat above our testers' confidence levels....The hull material, which carries a 10-year warranty, is really tough... over 50,000 currently in use...
The boat is okayed for import into Japan, which has the highest standards in the world, and the testing they put a boat through before allowing it to be imported is grueling...
I researched the boat, and there are a lot of good things about it, I just couldn't get over how ugly it is to my eyes, that's the reason I couldn't bring myself to get one...
Here is a link to a whole bunch of reviews... Reviews of Portaboat
posted November 11, 2005 01:30 PM
DKD
Charter Member
Member # 2771
I agree with all of the positive comments....I have a 12 footer, and becuase of my rig configuration, davits are impractical. And towing is very impractical. And stowing on deck with a full 12' footprint is again, in my case, impractical. I stow my porta bote flat as a surfboard, assemble on deck when needed, and use a sling to lower in the water. I think they are a great solution to many of the dinghy problems some of us have.
Timber, on the next jump up. I'll bring mine over and you can try it out for yourself.
DKD
posted November 12, 2005 09:25 AM
able snead
Charter Member
Member # 1495
We started with a porta boat, being neophytes we thought all those guys with inflatables must know something we didn't. We were mistaken--as soon as these trades let me get to PR I'm buying another one. Other than ugly I cant think of any real everyday use downside.
posted November 12, 2005 02:48 PM
S/V Leapin Lizard
Charter Member
Member # 14
They suck. Period.
This horse has been beat around here like the "Guns on boats thread."
I've had one, hated it. Spent $1,200 for the damn thing. It was a time comsuming pain in the butt to put together, It left black marks on the deck, it chafted the port jib lines, couldn't store it on deck so I bought a windsufer rack for life line sanction mounting, now huge blind spot to port, The sun (U/V) went to work on the plastic, Had to have a canvas shop make a bag to hold all of the sh~t it takes to assemble it ( after having to buy more of the stuff because it got lost in the boat). It got where I hated it so bad I went and rented a mini wharehouse unit to store it. Bought a 10' fiberglass pram, added some davits, and lived happly ever after. When I sold the boat I pulled it out and said "Look at this Fine dink to go with the boat" (Wink-wink). The fiberglass pram went with me on two other boats since.
If you'r thinking about buying one, my suggestion is to rent/borrow one and try setting it up on your fore deck while achored (away from the dock). Just to see if it's something you'll want to do at every anchorage you enter.
Dan
posted November 12, 2005 03:13 PM
brad barrett
Charter Member
Member # 999
So, basically all the problems you had with it would have been solved if you'd hung it in the davits....I mean let's face it, assembling anything on deck is a pain in the ass, anything leaves marks/chips on deck,etc...,
posted November 12, 2005 04:45 PM
S/V Leapin Lizard
Charter Member
Member # 14
Then why do it in the first place? It's 12' long. Unless you'r on a very large monohull (or a catamaran) then you have some size isusses when healing. Why put it on davits? The whole concept is to fold it up out of the way. They were designed for RV campers not boat decks. If your putting it on davits why not get a much better dink and put "it" on those davits?
Dan
posted November 12, 2005 05:36 PM
brad barrett
Charter Member
Member # 999
Oh, I won't get one...i don't like the looks, and there are some things I'll compromise on and others I won't...but that was kinda my point...On average to smaller crusing yachts, tenders are a compromise just like the cruisning boat is...for some, the portabote will be great...
I was just pointing out that davits and hard dinks, rib's and roll-ups. all have thier challenges too...For instance, I'd never carry any boat on davits in a heavy weather following seas situation on a regular to average sized sailboat...I use a nexting dinghy...beats the crap out of the big boat getting it on deck,assembled etc., and can't (won't) use davits on my boat...so, I compromise too...
posted November 13, 2005 12:16 AM
Timber
Charter Member
Member # 1368
This is what I love about the board, ask for an honest opinion and youll get it.
Who needs practical sailor?
Well I bought it, the porta boat that is, I dont know if its what I want to take on the boat crusing or not, but it was for sale by a local charity, was a good deal and the money went to a good cause and best of all was attach to a brand new 4hp Nissan 4 stroke I wanted anyway, so I am adding the porta bote to my dock side fleet.
I would like to find a tender that will go 10 miles or so, in semi protected waters at a speed that will get you there and back in the same afternoon. We like anchoring away from the towns whenever we can, and there are those inevitable grocery runs
I agree with Brad about there being no prefect tender, they all a compromise in some way, We have a trinka, a whaler, a achilles inflatable, two inflatable kayaks, a sea swirl and Livingston. None of these do every thing well all the time and I cant take them all with me. I might as well test one more option before I leave the dock for good.
The pros and cons discussed here are intriguing; the black rub strakes are a minus I hadnt considered. On the other hand they do have a reputation for durability and surprising long warranty. The speed they are reported to a attain for a given HP has me interested, but as far as Viking funerals go, well, you might have yourself folded up in one and set a fire. No doubt you would find yourself on the way to Valhalla in a toxic cloud of PVC plastic. I hope never to form any real opinion on this use of a porta bote.
When not in use, PORTAbote folds into a compact, flat package less than 12cm deep that is easy to store and transport. It is small enough to be stored permanently on rescue vehicles and can be hand-carried to remote locations. Once at an incident it unfolds in seconds and is ready to launch. Removable seats are provided and an optional outboard motor can be fitted to extend the boats range and capability.
I've got a 12 ft Portabote, which is probably the most common folding boat. I'm not really familiar with other brands.
The Portabote is a good size and very stabile. Definitely harder to tip than a small jon boat, I've played around in shallow water and found that it's almost untipable. I've had mine out on big rivers and some lakes in rough conditions and never felt threatened. It's light enough to go through some pretty shallow water, and also light enough to drag if things get too shallow. The plastic (polypropelene) hull is incredibly tough. It carries nicely on a roof rack. With one passenger it gets up on plane and moves pretty fast using a 5hp outboard.
Now the negatives.. It's a pain to set up. The adverisements list the hull weight (69lbs for mine), but don't mention the big bag of seats, transom, etc that add another 30-40lbs and takes up a chunk of space in your car or home. You have to cary the outboard somewhere - inside the car. There goes another chunk of space, and be ready for gasoline fumes. The design only allows fairly limited horsepower outboards, ok for some use, but it's a problem for me trying to get anywhere upstream on a big river with a passenger and gear. The flexible sides are not good for rod holders.
Eventually I got a trailer, and now I just leave mine assembled. If I had it to do over, I would just get an aluminum boat. But the folding boats do have their niche, and I've had a lot of fun with mine.