My 3rd. Porta Bote

[hpeer]

I find the PB quite sensitive to bottom fouling. A clean bottom makes a lot if difference.

We frequently leave the PB in the water for long periods, we use it daily after all. Then I have to haul her up in a beach and scrub the growth off periodically.

A while ago I left the PB in a marina for a long time. She had a very hefty growth of barnacle. I hauled her, cleaned iff the worse and let her sit folded. Then when we got back to the boat I had all this weird debris on the fore deck. It was the barnacle bases popping off. I gave the bottom a good wack and a bunch more jumped off. The bottom then was almost like new! Not much really sticks to a PB.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by hpeer

I find the PB quite sensitive to bottom fouling. A clean bottom makes a lot if difference.

We frequently leave the PB in the water for long periods, we use it daily after all. Then I have to haul her up in a beach and scrub the growth off periodically.

A while ago I left the PB in a marina for a long time. She had a very hefty growth of barnacle. I hauled her, cleaned iff the worse and let her sit folded. Then when we got back to the boat I had all this weird debris on the fore deck. It was the barnacle bases popping off. I gave the bottom a good wack and a bunch more jumped off. The bottom then was almost like new! Not much really sticks to a PB.

I did an experiment with diaper rash ointment (Desitin) on a recommendation of someone here before I set off for Mexico. I used it on my Livingston 8 as well as my 10'(at the time)Porta-Bote. It really helped to extend times between bottom cleanings. When I did clean, it was much easier. It's like a clear grease.

[fox9988]

I wonder if waxing the bottom would make much difference in the speed and growth.

I bought a used Yamaha 6hp 4 cycle today. Needs lower unit work. We'll see how it does.

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by fox9988

I wonder if waxing the bottom would make much difference in the speed and growth.

I bought a used Yamaha 6hp 4 cycle today. Needs lower unit work. We'll see how it does.

That and/or 303 Protectant, which they recommend for all plastic parts...

Our use was in warm (or tolerable at minimum) waters; we just swam alongside and used a 3M handled flat scrubbie to get off slime (we never let it get to barnacle stage), bare (never did the 303 bit)...

Our 10', with an aged 6HP Johnson, would take 400# at 15 knots...

[sailhand]

Always liked the porta bote. Great alternative for many reasons. Heres something you guys might find interesting from down under. Its a blatant copy of the portabote heralded as a fantastic new invention, go figure. It might more accurately be described as an improved, in some ways, portabote. I owned one briefly that had been set up on a trailer with outboard attached for five years and seen a lot of use. The big difference is the fact that the panels are a high density h80 divinycell foam with epoxy glass laminate. When assembled it feel exactly the same as a hard dink. No wobbly floor and really solid all round. This is good for the motoring aspect but maybe not so good for access from deepwater or damaging your topsides when moored beside the mothership. They really do ride and feel exactly the same as a hard dink.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_FTnBOexrY4

[Celestialsailor]

Looks good. Slightly heavier than a Porta-Bote and a little more expensive.

[Mike OReilly]

I looked at Quickboat a few years ago. A clear knock-off of Portabote, but looks well done, and perhaps an improvement on the design. Unfortunately, it appears the company is no longer in business. The website is down, and I came across this comment from a blogger:

" it is likely that you will not hear about Quickboats anytime soon. This is because the company was acquired by a Sydney-based purchaser, and the product has not been re-launched. This article will provide some information about quickboats as well as what happened to them.

Quickboats were a great invention, and they were put on sale for quite a while after their introduction. However, things took a bad turn in 2017. The company was sold to a purchaser in Sydney, and all sales were stopped. The company tried to find other means of production, but there has been no success so far. "

[Celestialsailor]

"...The company tried to find other means of production, but there has been no success so far. "
Oh, I know what that means. Couldn't find an offshore company to build it cheap enough.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

"...The company tried to find other means of production, but there has been no success so far. "
Oh, I know what that means. Couldn't find an offshore company to build it cheap enough.

Most likely. Of course, most people are only willing to pay so much for a given product, so if you can't produce it cheaply enough to sell it for a price people are willing to pay, then it's not going to be a success.

[sailhand]

They do regularly appear on the used market here. They were primarily marketed to whats coloquially known as the grey nomads. Retirees towing large caravans, travel trailers to those in the US, around our vast empty country. This demographic has a use by date on these types of toys as they are relatively heavy to use, assemble, store and transport for the older boater. Many rationalise toys due to weight restrictions and physical and mobility issues as time inevitably creeps relentlessly onwards. They fall into the "seemed like a good idea" category fairly quickly in some cases. I can honestly state that since moving onto my boat in 2003, l have never seen one deployed as a tender. Portabotes are not all that common either in Australia.

[alanfw]

Just read this whole thread. I've been thinking of a portabote for a while as the tender for my 31 footer. But I can't make up my mind between the 8foot (which is really 9foot6) and the 10foot (which is really 10foot8).
Now you've had your 8 footer for a while, what is your opinion? I know the smaller one is only supposed to take 2 people, but does it work with 3? (Occasionally I would want three to go the 30m from yacht to shore.)

[Celestialsailor]

I called Portabote with the question of outboard weigh vs. horsepower. I had noticed on an Australian site the engine weight was 54lbs., max and 445lbs capacity or 500lbs. total. On the U.S. site, 35lbs. max., capacity, 445 lbs. or 480lbs. total.

I have a Nissan 5hp at 54lbs., leaving me with 426lbs. left. If I had 3 people, the average weight would need to be 142. I would push that in calm waters. However with two of us, it planes nicely.

The 10ft. is only 10 lbs more and the capacity goes up 140lbs. I use to have a 10ft. and it stored nicely on my stanchions. The 8ft. stores very well and I can handle myself. The other thing I like about the 8ft. is it has only 2 seats to install and so easier storage or the seats.
Portabote told me that the USCG came up with the specs.

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

(clip)

I have a Nissan 5hp.
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with two of us, it planes nicely.

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I use to have a 10ft. and it stored nicely on my stanchions.
(clip)

Our 10' with an ancient Johnson 6, propelled it and ~400 pounds (people, gear and fuel) at 15 knots.

We also stored ours on the stanchions, with the transom and seats in a custom duffel we made for it...

[hpeer]

As to the motor "specification" there is something on line about how they come up with those numbers. It is not specific PB but the width of the transom and maybe something else.

GRUMPY OLD FART STRONG OPINION FOLLOWS:

IMNSHO the folding transom model is really a sensible adjustment of PB management as their likely largest market is to folks who want a light transportable boat for lake fishing which can accept a trolling motor and be rowed with reasonable facility. Perhaps some pipsqueak outboard. This can be accomplished with a folding transom with no further degradation of legal ratings. The transom could be made of cardboard, transom strength is not a consideration.

I am NOT criticizing PB maker or boat. Their hands are tied in multiple ways. The US regulatory structure limits the transom weight by some formula. Exposure to liability suits would make it very foolish to publish or advocate any higher number. The requirement for a 4 stroke motor significantly reduces the HP of a motor that can be fitted within those weight requirements.

If you are seeking a tender that meets these limitations then the folding transom is a good solution.

For more robust work, where you need to move some weight some distance with reasonable speed the folding transom is simply not gonna cut it. The transom requires a folding brace between the transom and rear seat, secured with pop rivets into 1/8" plastic.

If you exist OUTSIDE that regulatory environment then a fixed transom PB, or a new PB retrofitted with a fixed transom, when fitted with a lightweight/hp motor (TWO STROKE) is a wonderful option. When building your own transom then you need to be very cautious of the weight. I have built a couple, which work well, but I can do better in retaing strength while being lighter.

We live aboard 6 months in thr Caribbean, on anchor, and use our PB every day. 8hp 2 stroke, Yamaha Enduro, we regularly carry over 500 pounds total load. We are very happy with the PB and find it more convenient to get in and out. We board over the side of the Mother ship with a single hanging step. Because you do not have the blow up tubes to struggle over it is a safe and easy step from the PB seat, onto the single step and onto the deck. The last 2 days we have had beach only access, I run her up on the beach, Wife steps in/out, I back off. She hardly got her feet wet. We are 70 and 72.

The PB is a great boat and practical solution struggling in a tough regulatory world.

BUT ALSO REMEMBER THIS: There is at least one state (MN?) within the USA where it is ILLEGAL to ride on the tube of an inflatable. The skipper and all passengers are REQUIRED to reside WITHIN the confines of the tender, on provided seats. Try THAT with 2 full sized folks in a 8' hard bottom planing RIB.

As they say on Hill Street Blues

BE SAFE OUT THERE

[Pegu Club]

We have twelve foot PB with a Yamaha 4hp 2stroke, it planes with my 210 pound easily, and goes quite well well me and my wife on board, and will surf the lesser wakes of passing boats at a very good clip. Being we have a 30 foot sailboat and prefer not to tow, it stows nicely on “J”’hooks on the side deck, it works quite well for hauling goods to and from shore, and is pretty much bulletproof when dragging it onto a gravelly beach. Would recommend, although everyone’s needs are somewhat different.

Fair winds,