The best feature of the Porta Bote (if you don't require foldability) is the fact that the forward inner folds act as spray chines and give a very dry ride when compared to just about any similarly-sized inflatable.
Yeah, Tom has a dinghy problem. He owns so many. They now use the porta boate and a Portland Pudgy. I think it's likely he will end up owing the folding cat dinghy as well when Rowland makes it available for purchase this year.
I don't know if you're still checking comments, but thought I'd ask. Can you tell me where you got the drain plug you installed, or how deep it should be? I am picking up a new Porta bote this week, and am planning to add a drain plug in the same location you did.. I think it's a great idea, and safer than trying to tip the water out if too full..
Yes he did well with his drain solution. Wish I had done that back when I had a portaboat. You will just have to search unless someone else sees this comment. I don't know.
If you mean what did you attach lifting tackle to, I bought four 1/4 20 eyenuts and used them in place of the supplied wingnuts for securing the transom on my 8-foot 2012 model. On the front seat, I used 2 1/2 screws and 2 more eyenuts in place of the seat pin clips. I rigged a bridle fore and aft for my davit lift points. Works a charm.
@@Clarks-Adventure Thanks for your quick response. Then I think I'll go for the 10 ft version. I will mainly sail with 2 adults, but it is nice that 4 is possible if necessary.
What drain plug is recommended for this purpose? Is there any problem with extra stress on that hinge when folding, considering the drain plug protrudes a bit?
@@dannyrusso8279 @UCtRbKD1LB4o4aagI6OKoy7w Hi. Tom here. I've installed two different drain plugs on two different Ports-Botes. For the first one, I cut a small rectangle of Starboard and bolted and sealed it with 5200 to the outside of the hull low down on the starboard aft corner of the hull. I bored a hole through both the Starboard and the hull so they lined up perfectly. I then used a standard rubber expansion plug to close the hole. If putting the plug in from the inside, you should remove it when folding the dinghy so the plug handle doesn't jam against the diaphragm inside the transom. For the second drain installation, I used a Beckson drain plug. I bored a hole in the hull as before to mount the drain plug housing, bolting and sealing it to the inside of the hull with 5200. The plug for the drain screws in from the inside of the hull. This plug seems to have a low enough profile that it doesn't interfere with the transom diaphragm when folding. I hope this helps!
@@tomkintz1895 Thanks for the great info Tom. I'll go with the Beckson drain plug, since it won't interfere when folding. I'll use the 3M DP8004 adhesive that I just bought to fix a tiny leak at the lower corner of the transom, where the sides meet. This 3M product is supposed to work for tough to glue plastics. It should work great on the drain plug.
In my hometown on Facebook Marketplace there is a 10-footer but it's a 2006 model & I've heard that they've revamped the original design. The asking price is $1,300- comes with a Bimini top/6 horsepower Nissan gas motor- in your opinion would you try to haggle slightly? PS, It is in Immaculate condition.
It's all about what condition it's in. Motor and boat. I know there were several years where the seats failed easily and eventually the hull gets overly soft. Saving money is great but you don't want someone's problem either. But a boat and motor in good shape for that could be a great price. I personally like the 10 footer best. Has three seats like the 12 but being a bit shorter it's firmer.
In CA I have a 12ft Porta Bote and it has to be registered. You have to not just register it but you also have to pay for Quagga/Zebra Mussel if vessel is used on lakes. My opinion dumb law but that's my opinion. That's California surprise surprise. I have a 5hp outboard.
@@Clarks-Adventure Hi. Tom here. I've installed two different drain plugs on two different Ports-Botes. For the first one, I cut a small rectangle of Starboard and bolted and sealed it with 5200 to the outside of the hull low down on the starboard aft corner of the hull. I bored a hole through both the Starboard and the hull so they lined up perfectly. I then used a standard rubber expansion plug to close the hole. If putting the plug in from the inside, you should remove it when folding the dinghy so the plug handle doesn't jam against the diaphragm inside the transom. For the second drain installation, I used a Beckson drain plug. I bored a hole in the hull as before to mount the drain plug housing, bolting and sealing it to the inside of the hull with 5200. The plug for the drain screws in from the inside of the hull. This plug seems to have a low enough profile that it doesn't interfere with the transom diaphragm when folding. I hope this helps!
I had one for several years. I had some rivets fail but easily replaced them with machine screws. And any dinghy is easy to board over the stern with a loop of rope to step on. -C
How does your 10ft porta bote handle on the ocean? I have a 12ft porta bote with 5hp. Did feel it a little slow on the lake. More like a pop pop boat haha haha haha. Can anyone can share their experience of a porta bote in the ocean and what hp outboard? Thanks.
I had a 12 footer years ago. I ran it with a 2 stroke 4hp and an 8hp Honda. The Honda was a little heavy and more power then the boat liked. The ports boat handles waves well.it sorta snakes over them and gives you a smooth ride.
More power then you need but the biggest issue is weight. Try to find a 2 stroke of you really want a portaboat. And I think 6 up is enough for two in shape people. I personally prefer the 10 footer. It's stronger and big enough.
@@LongDistanceSailor I already have a 12footer. And 4 stroke 5hp outboard but last time I took the boat to the lake I felt the outboard was too weak. I am wondering if 6 or 8hp might be a better setup for the ocean. I would not dare to go to the ocean with the 4 cycle 5hp😬😂
![Our Porta-Bote Sunk + Fiberglassing FAIL - Sailing Uma [Step 114]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OwqIy1RXh8w/mqdefault.jpg)
![Our Porta-Bote Sunk + Fiberglassing FAIL — Sailing Uma [Step 114]](/img/tr.png)
The best feature of the Porta Bote (if you don't require foldability) is the fact that the forward inner folds act as spray chines and give a very dry ride when compared to just about any similarly-sized inflatable.
And the flexible hull gives a gentle ride over waves
Man, this guy loves his dinghy!
Yeah, Tom has a dinghy problem. He owns so many. They now use the porta boate and a Portland Pudgy.
I think it's likely he will end up owing the folding cat dinghy as well when Rowland makes it available for purchase this year.
Just met Tom a day ago in Deltaville. Although he still has the Porto boat they just got a Portland Pudgy too. Headed back down to G town.
Funny, I put my drain plug in the exact same spot on my 10' Porta Bote. It's best matched with a 6hp Suzuki.
I don't know if you're still checking comments, but thought I'd ask.
Can you tell me where you got the drain plug you installed, or how deep it should be? I am picking up a new Porta bote this week, and am planning to add a drain plug in the same location you did.. I think it's a great idea, and safer than trying to tip the water out if too full..
Yes he did well with his drain solution. Wish I had done that back when I had a portaboat.
You will just have to search unless someone else sees this comment. I don't know.
Can you tell me what hardware you use on the PB to attached the lifting harness so you can hang it from davits?
I think he used the magma product for carrying surf and paddle boards. He says it in the video I believe.
If you mean what did you attach lifting tackle to, I bought four 1/4 20 eyenuts and used them in place of the supplied wingnuts for securing the transom on my 8-foot 2012 model. On the front seat, I used 2 1/2 screws and 2 more eyenuts in place of the seat pin clips. I rigged a bridle fore and aft for my davit lift points. Works a charm.
Did you ever use it with 4 adults? Does the 10 ft version offer enough space for 4 adults?
I had one myself years ago. Yes it's fine with 4 but it won't plane.
@@Clarks-Adventure Thanks for your quick response. Then I think I'll go for the 10 ft version. I will mainly sail with 2 adults, but it is nice that 4 is possible if necessary.
10 footer is arguably better then the 12. Same number of seats but shorter makes it stiffer.
@@Clarks-Adventure Thanks for clearing my doubt! :)
What drain plug is recommended for this purpose? Is there any problem with extra stress on that hinge when folding, considering the drain plug protrudes a bit?
Hi Danny,. I just asked Tom (from the video) to answer this for you.
@@Clarks-Adventure Awesome, thanks!
@@dannyrusso8279 @UCtRbKD1LB4o4aagI6OKoy7w Hi. Tom here. I've installed two different drain plugs on two different Ports-Botes. For the first one, I cut a small rectangle of Starboard and bolted and sealed it with 5200 to the outside of the hull low down on the starboard aft corner of the hull. I bored a hole through both the Starboard and the hull so they lined up perfectly. I then used a standard rubber expansion plug to close the hole. If putting the plug in from the inside, you should remove it when folding the dinghy so the plug handle doesn't jam against the diaphragm inside the transom.
For the second drain installation, I used a Beckson drain plug. I bored a hole in the hull as before to mount the drain plug housing, bolting and sealing it to the inside of the hull with 5200. The plug for the drain screws in from the inside of the hull. This plug seems to have a low enough profile that it doesn't interfere with the transom diaphragm when folding. I hope this helps!
@@tomkintz1895 Thanks for the great info Tom. I'll go with the Beckson drain plug, since it won't interfere when folding. I'll use the 3M DP8004 adhesive that I just bought to fix a tiny leak at the lower corner of the transom, where the sides meet. This 3M product is supposed to work for tough to glue plastics. It should work great on the drain plug.
In my hometown on Facebook Marketplace there is a 10-footer but it's a 2006 model & I've heard that they've revamped the original design. The asking price is $1,300- comes with a Bimini top/6 horsepower Nissan gas motor- in your opinion would you try to haggle slightly? PS, It is in Immaculate condition.
It's all about what condition it's in. Motor and boat. I know there were several years where the seats failed easily and eventually the hull gets overly soft. Saving money is great but you don't want someone's problem either.
But a boat and motor in good shape for that could be a great price.
I personally like the 10 footer best. Has three seats like the 12 but being a bit shorter it's firmer.
How is it with 3 ppl sometime 4 to be in the 10 foot
I hope someone else answers but I've had a 12 footer. No problem with 4 people but it won't plane with More then 2 and a small engine
Does this boat have to be registered?
Any boat with a motor in the US needs to be registered.
With an electric I bet you could get away without but I don't know the law.
In Florida, any vessel with any type of motor propulsion has to be registered, electric or fuel.
In CA I have a 12ft Porta Bote and it has to be registered. You have to not just register it but you also have to pay for Quagga/Zebra Mussel if vessel is used on lakes. My opinion dumb law but that's my opinion. That's California surprise surprise. I have a 5hp outboard.
Did I miss the part when he demonstrates how it folds up???
I bet the portaboat website would show that. We supplied an unbiased opinion.
There’s a drain plug on mine, and it’s separating and leaking
Can it be fixed?
Hi James,. I just asked Tom (from the video) to answer this for you.
@@Clarks-Adventure Hi. Tom here. I've installed two different drain plugs on two different Ports-Botes. For the first one, I cut a small rectangle of Starboard and bolted and sealed it with 5200 to the outside of the hull low down on the starboard aft corner of the hull. I bored a hole through both the Starboard and the hull so they lined up perfectly. I then used a standard rubber expansion plug to close the hole. If putting the plug in from the inside, you should remove it when folding the dinghy so the plug handle doesn't jam against the diaphragm inside the transom.
For the second drain installation, I used a Beckson drain plug. I bored a hole in the hull as before to mount the drain plug housing, bolting and sealing it to the inside of the hull with 5200. The plug for the drain screws in from the inside of the hull. This plug seems to have a low enough profile that it doesn't interfere with the transom diaphragm when folding. I hope this helps!
Any issues with the hinges? How easy is it to board from the water?
I had one for several years. I had some rivets fail but easily replaced them with machine screws.
And any dinghy is easy to board over the stern with a loop of rope to step on. -C
How does your 10ft porta bote handle on the ocean? I have a 12ft porta bote with 5hp. Did feel it a little slow on the lake. More like a pop pop boat haha haha haha. Can anyone can share their experience of a porta bote in the ocean and what hp outboard? Thanks.
I had a 12 footer years ago. I ran it with a 2 stroke 4hp and an 8hp Honda. The Honda was a little heavy and more power then the boat liked.
The ports boat handles waves well.it sorta snakes over them and gives you a smooth ride.
@@Clarks-Adventure would you recommend the 8hp on the 12footer? I would really like to cruise, hugging the coast/shore around Ventura beach CA
More power then you need but the biggest issue is weight. Try to find a 2 stroke of you really want a portaboat. And I think 6 up is enough for two in shape people.
I personally prefer the 10 footer. It's stronger and big enough.
@@LongDistanceSailor I already have a 12footer. And 4 stroke 5hp outboard but last time I took the boat to the lake I felt the outboard was too weak. I am wondering if 6 or 8hp might be a better setup for the ocean. I would not dare to go to the ocean with the 4 cycle 5hp😬😂
Will it plane? What is it's cargo?
A Timeout… Really??