Folding Boats

The Portabote is the only way to go with folding boats.

We have a near new 9.1 foot model and it performs well with a 3.5hp outboard and also rows well with the optional oars and rowlocks.

I agree the Porta Bote is a very good option. I own both a PB aluminum tinnie of equal size and I reckon the PB is the safer. In the Tinnie if one side goes down the other will go up at an equal rate. In the PB it will just fold with hardly any noticeable difference. It DOES take some getting used to but once you get over this it is great. A 3HP motor with one on board will get up and boogey. We have had 4 "large" lads in it and felt very safe . For inland waters such as the Murrumbidgee it would be perfect.

I have the 12'Potabote with a 5HP Honda outboard. I have mixed feelings about the "Bote". It's a great unit, rides well (though as mentioned the flex takes a little getting used to), is low profile on the roof racks and relatively easy to set up. The extra gear (seats, oars etc.) do take up a fair amount of room in the vehicle but most of it you have to carry for a tinnie anyway (anchor, safety equipment etc).

I'll be taking it up north into croc territory next year and having used numerous tinnies fly fishing for Barra and 'Togas I feel quite confident in the "Bote" being suitable for this use. If you hit a log (or croc!) in a tinnie it scares the $h^! out of you with the way it tips, but the "Bote" simply flexes and carries on. Easier to puncture a tinnie too. I have a lot of confidence in the polyethylene, having come from an outdoor ed background using poly kayaks for whitewater.

It does, however take a time to set up completely (30 mins with all accessories) and if you can't get the extras in the vehicle the size and shape on the roof pretty much negates the advantage of the lower roof profile.

Overall pretty happy with my purchase but not a zealot.

Cheers,

Mark

PS I'm a menber but I couldn't remember ny number. When I sent the "can't remember" message in it came up with a visitor profile?

Kay

We have a 10' porta bote and a 5hp motor.

I can manage the bote and motor by myself, but it is a 2 man job on the 12' bote.

When someone mentions that they track well you had better believe them.
The three ridges on the bottom of the bote ensure it tracks or allows you to row in a staight line.

I found out the hard way that you cannot do a fast, tight U turn in a bote like you can in a tinnie. It will flip you out of the bote. Only happened once.LOL

I reckon its a great bote and can get it of the troopy down to the water, set up with every thing and into the water in about 30 mins.

When we camp along the river we normally lock it up to the nearest tree while we are there. That way you only setup and fold up once.

You need a bit of room on top or in the vehicle or a trailer.

The 5 hp is great with 2 people on board. It runs on the smell of an oily rag and is very good on small choppy water as the flexing absorbs the chop.A very comfortable ride.

There is also a porta bote forum that is fairly informative.

Overall its a great bote and I would highly recommend it.

Regards BooBoo

,

I'm also a canoeist wanting to have something with more load carrying capacity, also interested in the Portabote.

They are quite expensive inAustralia though, especially with the current exchange rate - much cheaper in the US.

I'm keen on the options of a sailing rig and sunshade for it - has anyone any experience with these ?

Many thanks, for all your replies. My husband and I appreciate your comments - we have 2 kyaks, 1 fibre glass boat (too heavy) so thought the folding boat would be easier to manage. Will investigate the forum web site.
Kay