Porta bote help

[sesmith]

Originally Posted by sharkwatcher

No, as a matter of fact it was an estate sale and had been used with an RV.

That tells all. That portabote obviously killed it's previous owner. Have you ever seen the video where the guy gets folded up in one while trying to put it together?

[hpeer]

Haul it up a halyard and assemble vertically. Piece of cake.

When you launch you just gotta try to drop the bow first to keep from shipping some water. You will probably retrieve it with the same halyard so you need the set up anyway.

[rbyham]

I've got an 8' version on 31' boat. Fits fine on stanchions and large lockers hold seats. In you r situation I might be tempted to see if I could sell it and turn it into an 8 footer. I have inquiries on a regular basis as to my portabote and sense there is a pretty good resale market for these...

[CHM]

I have a 10' for a 43' Beneteau. Setting it up is a bitch on the dock, let alone on the deck rolling with the swells. We have towed it keeping it close to the transom successfully but have a way to pump out water if it gets pooped. Alternatively, find a dock where you can tie up (fuel dock or restaurant for example) and set it up there. Then tow it. Kudos to those able to set it up on deck. My wife and I are usually cussing each other by the end of the experience.


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[stevec195]

We assemble our 8' vertically from a main or stay halyard. Definitely runs into some wind considerations and does occasionally provide entertainment. None the less, we generally can get it in the water inside of 10 minutes. I really don't know if it would be realistic to assemble the long version this way. At the end of the day, the big Porta Bote just might not work for most of us.


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[sharkwatcher]

Thanks all of you for your help and input. Maybe what we're gonna need to do is leave it set up and just tow it. Having very little towing experience, I could use some input from the more experienced with Porta Botes. How do you deal with the towed PB when leaving a slip? Any special tricks for towing (position, bridle length, bridle connections)? Do you have special problems or tricks for towing is rough/heavy seas?

[Canibul]

We just put a Porta Bote together for the first time yesterday. Another boat in the marina has a 10 ft. one and I'd been asking the captain about it. So he invited me over to assemble it and take it for a row.


From what I have seen so far, I'm betting the best way to tow one would be with the bow of the Porta Bote pulled up onto a swim platform, or otherwise snugged up pretty tight with the bow unable to reach sea level.

[hpeer]

Yes, bow right up out of the water.

I can't find a better way to assemble than with a halyard.

To make them row better remove the oarlocks and use some good 3/8"ish wood, maybe 18" long and 2" wide as a backer and install real standard size oarlocks. Then get real oars. Then you can put your back into it and they row reasonably well.

[sharkwatcher]

Great info, Thanks! After reading thru some older post on porta botes I saw mention of using large inflatable boat fenders under the seats, presumably to increase bouyancy and stiffen the seats. Anyone tried this or have any thoughts about this mod?