I had been mulling the Portaboat as an option for some time and this one just came up on Facebook marketplace close by and looking good value at a third of new
price and only having had a couple of uses.
The newer model fold in transom had me concerned for a moment as I had previously only seen older models and picked the boat up from the owners brother in law who had never seen it in use.
It came with the three seats and unfolding plank and I asked where the transon was and he didn’t know.
I had to ring the owner to question the transoms absence!
It is pretty heavy to carry. Was the earlier model with separate transom lighter to carry just the folded hulls?
The location to store the seats is going to pose another dilemma. I may have to bag them and strap them to the outside of the safety rails on the other side of the yacht as there is not another space available big enough to store them.
Alternatively they may fit under the upturned inflatable if this still allows the forward
hatch to open but I will need a way to secure them if stored there. Untying the nose of the inflatable to access them is pretty simple.
Fitting everything for a 3/4 month
cruise for a couple without resupply opportunity’s on a 28 foot trailerable yacht is like tackling a complicated puzzle.
The Imexus 28 was however purchased with this long held goal of exploring The Kimberley’s by
trailer sailer specifically in mind.
Previous and likely future very extended cruises don’t pose the logistical, access, predator and
storage challenges of The Kimberley’s.
Like my recent 12v
reverse osmosis watermaker made portable, the Portaboat may only have a one trip lifespan with me depending on how it performs and how easy it is to use.
The safety rail carrier is shown here in its normal position. The inflatable dingy still fits neatly on
deck even in trailering mode with the
mast clearing it by a paper thin margin.
Thanks again for your
advice.