Porta-bote

[Godot]

I had my new Porta-bote delivered this morning. Holy smokes, I don't remember it being this big and heavy at the boat show!

Of course, it wasn't this big and heavy at the boat show. I ordered and paid for the eight footer. What I got was the TEN footer. Yowzer.

I just unpacked and assembled it for the first time. Here's hoping it lives up to the hype. And I can not only fit her aboard Seeker, but that I can actually fold/unfold her while there.


As it came.


Assembled.

[CharlieJ]

Kewl- and a story about Porta Botes

My woodshop used to share a building with a sailboat shop. Macgregor dealer and he sold Porta botes also

Guy came in one day shortly after buying a 10 footer, wintertime. He had a tale to tell ;D

He was assembling it in his garage for the first time, home alone. As he was working to spread the fairly stiff (chilly) sides, he slipped, and fell inside the boat.

And it closed like a clam shell over him, pinning his arms to his sides.

THREE hours later his wife got home, heard him yelling, and came out to see.

She assisted in spreading the sides, so he could get his arms free and climb out. :D :D

Be Carefull-they CAN bite ya ;D ;D

[Travelnik]

That's cool! The extra space might come in handy.

I don't think I'd have room for it though.  ;)

[CharlieJ]

Looks like they've changed the seats a whole lot. Earlier PortaBotes had seats that were so bulky it took more room to stow THEM than the boat itself. I knew a number of folks who just didn't fold it up because of that.

Looks like a big improvement. They are TOUGH boats. You should be quite satisfied with it.

[Captain Smollett]

Very cool.  Nice addition to the new boat.

How long does it take to set up / fold?

[Godot]

I didn't time it; but I think from unpack to assembled took about an hour. I expect that time to improve now that I've done it once.

[Godot]

Very happy with the Portabote so far. Only complaint is with the oar locks. Broke two. Not happy about that. They did replace them quickly, though.

Launching from the deck of Seeker was something I was worried about. I handled it ok, though. I added a photo album that might be worth checking out at http://sailfar.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=159&page=1&sort=pa. For reasons I'm not clear about, there appear to be a couple photos that should live in my directory on Godot, my former Seafarer. I was going to move them; but they don't actually exist in the album formally. Weird.

Here's a few highlights...

This is where the Porta-Bote lives when it's not out performing dinghy duty.

The hardest part is probably the initial unfolding...

...and getting the spreader inserted.

With a little help from the Main halyard.

And away we go!

[Captain Smollett]

Nice.  Thanks for the pics of the process.

Be cool to hear an update after the bigger cruise.  If you are like me...the opinion of your dinghy waxes and wanes.  They are never good at everything at once. 

Of course, I try to use mine as a fishing boat where a jon boat or a small Whaler would be better suited.... ;D

[Godot]

I'll probably tow it most often. Just not on the big, open water legs. She tows pretty well if kept close. On a long painter she is all over the place.

[Jim_ME]

Appreciate your photos and impression of the Porta-Bote. an interesting concept.

On the topic of tenders... I was recently second to call the below ad for a CD14, but the first person snapped it up. I have nearly got one of these a couple times now. A bit big for a dinghy but would be fun to have as a great rowing inland and sheltered-water tender for exploring from the sailboat.

Also another recent ad for a CD10...probably a more versatile size (probably still on the large/heavy size). this seemed like a good deal, until I saw the CD14 in much better shape for not much more. They both come with a gunter rig that will stow within the boat when not being used.

[Am getting "The upload folder is full" so cannot post images now, but may try again later]

Anyway...sweet that you got the free upgrade from 8 to 10 footer. You're having better luck than I am.  :)

[Godot]

In retrospect, I'm not sure I actually did order the 8 footer. I remember going back and forth, talking the pros and cons with the salesman. Maybe I ordered the 10, thinking I had ordered the eight.

In any case, since it fits OK on deck and I can open and shut it, if not easily, then at least without too much drama, I'm happy enough with the ten.

[Captain Smollett]

What I am specifically curious about is it's use as a "truck" for cruising.

That is, have you yet used it to haul a full load of goods to/from shore while at anchor?  In a lumpy anchorage?

How does it stand up to being tied to a non-floating dinghy dock all day with a bit of tide and other boats bumping into it?

Other aspects of 'hard use;'  that sort of thing.

That's what I'm curious about with ANY dinghy, not just this one.

[Godot]

I've rowed in some chop with one and two aboard. She rows fine. I've towed. She's been banged into by other dinghies at a floating and not floating docks and came out without a scratch; but they mostly inflatables, so acted as huge fenders.

At this point I have not had to ferry a bunch of heavy items to my boat at anchor. The max load has been me, my gal, and a couple bags of smelly trash. My little trips have been short enough where it just hasn't been an issue. Next month's trip i suspect might give me an opportunity to test that further; although you never know.

At this time I suspect she is going to work out fine. I may consider a small outboard at some point. Rowing a couple miles is not an issue. Someday I may need to go further.

[Captain Smollett]

Rowing a couple miles is not an issue. Someday I may need to go further.

What got me sold on an outboard for the dink was not distance but current.  Rowing against 3+ kt current even a relatively short distance is a ... well, a drag.

I shopped hard for a "dinghy engine."  Near the top of my priority list were lightweight and fuel economy. 

I settled on the Suzuki 2.5 HP Four Stroke.  30 lbs (easy one arm carry and easy on/off), 1/4 gal fuel per hour (4.5-5 kt cruise speed, four aboard, inflatable boat) and water cooled.  Lots of folks like the little air-cooled Honda, but the Suzuki looked better to me in big picture ways, and in my estimation is an underrated engine.

Your boat undoubtedly rows better than my inflatable...no doubt at all.

The other thing is that we explore a LOT in the dinghy.  Have done nearly 20 miles in one day.  Inflatable definitely not (comfortably) row-able those kinds of distances.   ;)

[CharlieJ]

I now have a 6'6" rowing pram. I HAD a 7'6" Achilles, with a 2.2 Merc 2 stroke on it. I liked the 2 stroke because I could stow it in a cockpit locker with no regard to which side was up. Can't do that with a 4 stroke, as you must keep the crankcase down. Limits you on a small boat.

The rowing dinghy will do most places, but if I can make it back to the Bahamas, I'd definitely want a dink with an outboard. Also in many spots in the keys.

I'd buy another of that same model inflatable with no reservations. I've had two Achilles now, and both were great.

It can be a LONG row from an anchoring spot, to snorkeling waters. Or spear fishing spots.