Portaboat

One of my brothers uses one for calm water fishing. He seems to be happy with it.

We've had a 12ft one for over twenty years now, ours is the early style with the tapered stern and an alloy bracket to mount the outboard. We also have the sail kit.
It is pretty well indestructible, we've used it in everything from flooded creeks, inland rivers to the sea off Arnhem land with no problems.
It is easily carried on the roof rack and is great solution where use is either infrequent or water access is difficult (you have to carry the boat to the water).
We've also used it in places like lawn hill where outboards are banned, don't think they were impressed with us sailing up the gorge!
If the boat is going to be used regularly I'd be looking at a tinnie (we've had both).
I wasn't aware they came in 16 or 18ft sizes, I've only seen 10 and 12ft and lately a 14ft.

G'day Ross
There has been previous threads on the Portaboat.
I'm sure if you used the search function- you would find previous comments/input.
Cheers

Ross
yes plenty of previous posts.

I would only get the min length you can get away with as they are cumbersome to handle. You need the space also for the seats and transom - bulky. We had the 10'6" but would've been much happier with the 9'.
If my back was good we'd still have it. Troopy roof too high also.
4hp pushed ours along well. Planed easily with one aboard.
cheers
John

Hi Ross, I looked at the portabote but got a Walker Bay rigid dinghy instead. Although my one is the 8' model it only weighs 32kg. They do a 10' as well and the details are below. Photos and more details here:
http://activewatersports.com.au/walkerbay/original-series-2.html
Price is approx $1300.
"The walker bay 10f boat/dinghy is great for a couple weighing only 57 kg It's still easy for a couple or one person to roll."
Boats Specifications:

* Length: 295cm
* Beam: 145cm
* Weight: 57kg
* Depth: 53cm
* Capacity: 3 Persons
* Max Load: 204kg
* Max: 3hp

cheers
T.R.

You say you are concerned about weight on you car, what sort of car is it.

We carried a 13" tinny on a BJ40 for years in fact the only time it came of was when it was in the water.

Cheers Steve.

CROC'S LUV EM! Seriously,never had one but as someone said it's not just storing the boat but the car load of extra's that have to be carried for it.

This maybe a better idea for ALL of you that like to go vanning and boating too??

Just scroll all the way to the bottom to see a beautiful boat you all may be able to use.

Dont get sidetracked by the old van and the esky/scooter while scrolling on the way down. Looks like fun

vanboat

And just OT a bit, have a look at his marriage saver idea for parking the van when reversing in with the caravan - brilliant!!