Port-a-bote first impressions

[Andy26M]

I spent this past weekend on the Narragansett Bay with my new 8' Port-a-Bote folding dinghy. I was sailing with a group of about 12 Macs from the New England Trailer Sailors (it was a great weekend btw!).

I unfolded and rigged the dinghy at the dock, so did not tote it around on deck at all. My impression is that even the 8' model could not be unfolded on the Mac 26M deck with any practicality. I suppose that if both lifelines were dropped, you could unfold it on deck with it oriented athwartships, but it would not be convenient and you'd probably scratch the deck up a lot.

From a tip I'd read on the web, I filled a spare 5-gallon collapsible water jug and bungee'd it into the transom to act as a little "ballast" and help keep the nose up for towing.

I towed the dinghy with a 20' painter. Any time I was maneuvering or backing down with the engine, I simply pulled the painter up and gave it a few wraps around the mast-holder bracket - this kept the dinghy closer and kept the painter up so that it could not tangle on anything or get into the prop.

Overall, the dinghy towed effortlessly and had no problems. I was worried that the relatively low nose might allow a lot of water into the boat, but even in some pretty rough seas on Sunday afternoon, the dinghy stayed very dry.

Capacity wise, the dinghy held my 215# plus a 180# passenger, as well as the 5-gallon water jug with no strain and terrific stability. It is extremely easy to row and tracks very well.

For comparison, I have an 8'6" inflatable dinghy with a plywood floor. The Port-a-Bote is far easier to unfold and set up, lighter in weight, more stable to stand in, easier to row, tracks better (coasts in a straight line), and is far more comfortable to sit/ride in.

Bottom line: I enthusiastically endorse these boats as dinghies! I doubt my inflatable will ever see use as a dinghy behind my 26M again.

Next test: sail rig on the Port-a-Bote...

http://www.porta-bote.com/

- AndyS


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

[Chuck Healey]

I also picked up the 8 Foot model last Fall. I havn't used it much, but I have been pleased with it. It sets up a lot faster than my old inflatable, tows a lot easier and takes less space to store it. I have a 3 HP Merc that can push it along at about 10 MPH with just me aboard. Another NE-TS member bought the 10 Foot version a couple of years ago and said he had some problems with it tracking in a straight line when being towed. I think that extra ballast that you mentioned does help with this problem. My outboard seems to serve the same purpose, it tracks as straight as an arrow. I plan on taking it up to the NE-TS Champlain redezvous in July, maybe we can meet up there and compare notes if your planning on attending.

[SAILINGWINDWARD]

How much $$$, was the Boat?

[awolfe]

Doesn't it defeat a main purpose for an on-board dinghy if you cannot turn it into one while on-board? I mean, I want a dinghy I can (blow up, or build, or whatever, and) launch, to get from my boat to shore. I'd be afraid that I couldn't always get to shore or a dock to turn my whatever into a dinghy before I needed to use it to get to a shore or a dock... Am I missing something?

Just asking...

Tom
Annie's Song,
Denver

[Andy26M]

Tom -

As to defeating the purpose, it is going to depend on your situation. I could not blow up my 8'6" dinghy with hard plywood floor on the 26M deck either - it was just too unwieldy. For true portability, I have an inflatable 2-many rowboat from Wal-Mart that cost about 10 bucks - super easy to assemble onboard the 26M, but you get a wet butt riding in it.

Just towing it around behind all the time is very convenient - it doesn't really slow you down, and as soon as you drop the hook or grab the mooring your dinghy is ready to go... On the other hand, you don't want to open up the throttle too much with a dinghy towing behind.

Everything is a compromise.

- AndyS

[McSkipper]

Thanks for the comparison of Porta Boat and Inflatables. I have had the 10' version for 2 years now. I tend to second quess myself and have wondered if the "blow up dingy's" were better on the Mac. Sounds like you guys concur with the choice I made.
Our own experience has been positive with Porta Boat. We affectionately call it "Lit'l Boat". The first time we put it together was in Little Harbor, a cove on the west side of Catalina. We, the first mate and I, put it together on the foredeck. It did take more than 15 minutes advertised through . We were there on a cruise with the Arrowhead Power Squadron we belong to and were doing a beach bar-b-que. No one had a table and Lit'l Boat got enlisted. She was an instant success with everyone. The blow ups couldn't fit the bill for that job.
This past Christmas the first mate and I agreed to give ourselves the present of a new outboard for Lit'l Boat. We bought a 6 hp Nissan 4 stoke from Porta Boat. They had the best deal.
Litl Boat tows straight and has not taken on water when towing in a nasty 3 foot chop up at Lake Mohave a few weeks ago with the engine on it.
We sailed with it lashed on deck and it fits in the cabin when needed in rough seas (got caught in the Catalina channel one night when it got a little dicey).
This past weekend I had it on the Colorado River by Laughlin, Nv. We had a ball on it in the 13+ current.
It is not the most stable craft I've ever been in that's for sure. I started boating with a 12' aluminum boat and the stability is about the same. It's a weird feeling though when it gets up on plane and the bottom flexes out when you would think it would flex in.
I think I'll keep it.
I'm really interested to hear how she sails. Let us know.
Skip

[waternwaves]

In looking at the port a boat website..it looks like the boat could be opened and expanded while laying length wise in the cockpit of a 26 X with the seat up.

Sufficient leverage could be obtained standing on the starboard bench seat.

Any comment..

[McSkipper]

First Officer,
The first mate and I have tried various positions on the "jNi" , our - to put Lit'l Boat together that is. We've tried across the cockpit but not over the stern as it seems you suggest. Opening it across the cockpit has worked. It slides nicely into the water once opened and the transom in place from the cockpit. I think I prefer the foredeck through.
Skip

[SAILINGWINDWARD]

Any one know how much $$$ I should pay for a 8ft Porta-Bote(new)?
I have asked this question before but no reply.

[Jim Bunnell]

If you go to their web site (see first post above) and fill out the form, Sandy at Porta-bote will send you the latest pricing guide. I understand you can get the "show special" price any time. I haven't heard of the botes being discounted elsewhere. If you are looking for a motor as well, his prices are great, and there is a discount on the boat if you order the motor at the same time. There are a couple of discussion groups on Yahoo for porta-bote owners, and they sometimes have a bote for sale. The California group (first link) has Sandy (the owner of Porta-bote) as an active member. Lots of good information.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PortaBote/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pbowners/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PortaBotersWorldWide/

[waternwaves]

SailingWindward....

have to tell ya.....
I am less than enamoured with their method of selling the botes...getting a price out of them.for example a list price.....is like pulling teeth from cats...

and yes I have emailed them for the info......and they choose not to put the pricing info in the email response...

Now I am not going to argue the merits or demerits of this kind of marketing to the masses..... I only know one thing......

They lost a sale.....
I am at a point now that I dont care if it is 200 dollars for the damn thing... and it has every feature I could ever possibly want.... IF the factory email mail doesnt have a price list in it...and if I have to wait for snail mail....then they are not serious about selling it to me........and I am just a hardened enough engineer skeptic that this technique does not work for me....for anything...... the aura of the thing doesnt do anything for me...

Now I am not going to pick on just this product and company...nooooooooo not me.... let me tell you of another company that feigns to deal with real prices.....

Toyotomi stoves and heaters.....by the time you get 6 emails back and forth.......and they want to know exactly where you live......and what you are using it for......kerist...........another sale lost....Should I continue to the inflatable dealers......that have no fixed pricing.......

well, before I wax philosophic on the effects of this inanity....Oh well....I'm on a roll here......if is its that difficult to get prices..... think how tough real cusotmer service for repairs or parts is......

Remember how Sears became the largest retailer in the world for a while... with a catalog and service and parts.....only to lose its ranking to other companies willing to get the desired products to the door.......quicker faster cheaper..... or should I say Cheaper ....cheaper cheaper...... (no..... I have not bought anything at wallyworld for over 3 years.....) I cant in good faith recommend companies or products that wont publish prices and waste my time beggin for the information.

Or even better yet......tell me that I can go to the EAA fly in arlington this week to talk to the rep and get a price sheet......This boils down to pay $15 to another entity......(tho I would love to go anyway) just to see a price...... Can you imagine any other boat vendor that does not have a suggested price list....


Sorry.......wrong guy.

and yes I know why they do this to let the Rep/dealer/agent make maximum profits....but kind of hard to make a profit on a lost sale....
and a follower of P.T Barnum....I am not....

and some pepole wonder why I like to fall off the planet and sail north in the fall........ and get awy from this B.S.

good products sell themselves......... somehow I doubt this one can.....

JMHO.....

[Frank C]

Darren,

Hear ... Hear!
( LOL )

... seems to me that PortaBote's price at the last boat show was about $1200 for the shortie? Since they don't want to say, guess that's close enough to judge the Walker Bay 8-footer ($600 @ WM) about half as costly, ergo about twice as good?? I really like the looks of that Walker-8, and recognize your feedback on the doughnut.

[Idle Time]

We have an older port a boat. Our biggest problem was the front going so high when over 6 mph that the back would fill with water and eventually sink. Had to dump it 3 times. We'll have to try the 5 gallon jug in the bow and see if it works. We couldnt keep the nose down. We eventually folded it up and secured it to the bow and it rode there just fine even in a storm. I'd post a pic but dont know how.