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When comparing the Porta-Bote to similar sized boats such as aluminum boats, wooden boats, inflatable boats or fiberglass boats it is more than clear that the Polypropylene hull of the Porta-Bote beats them all. Whether it is the Porta-Bote's stability and durability that keeps it stable and constantly floating even when meeting sharp rocks or reefs, or whether it is its ultra-light weight that makes it so easy to transport. While some inflatable boats can be really frustrating to deal with as they are heavy and takes a lot of time to inflate and deflate.
The ideal sail boat
When going on a recreational cruise, many people like to use sail boats. What a best way is there to enjoy nature, then surfing on sail boats?
No motor humming, no oar splashing. Sail boats are indeed a perfect way to harness the power of the wind, while enjoying the serenity and silence of being one with nature.
Why not turning your Portabote into a sail boat?
All Portaboat models can be fitted with a sail, and easily turned into sail boats.
The sail is attached firmly to the hull, and can be used whenever you are tired of rowing, and fed up with motor humming.
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Published with permission by author Richard Komar Plano, Texas, USA
Published in Fly Fishing Online
In early 2003, I was searching for a watercraft to fish the ponds and lakes here in north Texas. I wanted a craft that was 1) portable, 2) buoyant, 3) stable, 4) durable and 5) versatile. After trying most of the conventional fishing platforms, I found none of them fit all the criteria for my fishing boat. Except one. The Porta-Bote portable folding boat made by Porta-Bote International in Mountain View, California.
I have had my Porta-Bote for 15 months now and have found it to be everything it is advertised to be and more. I opted for the 10-½ foot model. There is also an 8½ footer, a 12 footer and the newest member of the family, a 14 footer. Available colors are olive drab, Pacific Pearl (off-white) and aluminum.
All models have a 5-foot beam, 4-inch draft, full-width bench seats, transom, floatation collar and oars. The 8½ footer weighs 47 lbs. (hull only), my 10 ½ Bote weighs 58 lbs., the 12 footer is 69 lbs., and the 14 footer is only 96 lbs. Maximum outboard engine weights range from 35 lbs. to 86 lbs. and all models can accommodate any size electric trolling motor. The smallest model has a capacity of 445 lbs. (persons, motors and gear) while the biggest model can handle 807 lbs. All models fold to a thickness of 4 inches and a width of 24 inches.
Portability: I store my 10-½ foot Porta-Bote by hanging it on the wall of my garage. I do not have room for a conventional boat and boat trailer, but I do have room on the wall. Once you get comfortable with the balance point of the hull, you can easily slide it in and out of its "mooring" and transfer it directly to the top of your vehicle in one wide sweeping motion (with no need of a boat trailer –L.K). I chose the 10 ½ Boat, because it is big enough for two fly fisherpersons, yet not too big for one person to lift safely. The 12 and 14 footer are more suited for a two-person operation.
Buoyancy : The Porta-Bote will float even when completely filled with water and it can even be rowed when filled with water (unlike inflatable canoes or inflatable boats for example – L.K) This can be attributed to the unique floatation collar which lines the hull all the way around under the gunwales and across the transom. I personally have not tested this feature, but I am confident the buoyancy is as advertised. The collar is 2 inches thick.
Stability: The Porta-Bote is a flexible V-hull craft. Its keel and concave "vee" section provide exceptional directional stability. The hull design means the Porta-Bote is more comfortable to ride in because the flexible polypropylene hull absorbs shocks and the Bote does not bounce like an inflatable boat or pound like a rigid boat (such as aluminum boat, wood boat or fiberglass boat – L.K). The flexible hull allows for easy, stable standing. The inside of the hull is rough-surfaced for traction, even when wet.
When you stand up, the hull flattens against the water's surface with a suction effect adding to the stability. Because of the wide 5-foot beam, the Porta-Bote is exceptionally stable even when fully loaded and planning at full speed. The same suction effect that allows you to stand up safely also keeps the boat solidly on the surface. It feels good to stand up and stretch, look out over the water and comfortably fly cast with no worries about the Boat tipping over.
Durability: The Porta-Bote Company says there over 50,000 Porta-Botes afloat around the world. Some are as old as 30 years and still floating. Porta-Botes attribute their durability to the unique design hinges and lightweight, flexible polypropylene hull.
The hinges are waterproof and can take a stress of over 90,000 lbs. per square inch. They are designed to take a beating. I have pushed and pulled my fully loaded Bote while launching and beaching, all the while on the keel hinge with no noticeable adverse wear.
The hull is made of flexible polypropylene and utilizes an ultra-violet filter and anti-oxidant for resistance to sun and saltwater damage. This hull material is used in Astro-Turf, car bumpers and highway signs. Porta-Bote's "Flexi-Hull" flexes inward and absorbs wave energy and disperses its force. The same flexibility allows the portable folding boat to "give" safely when bumping against underwater obstacles. The Porta-Bote's hull is almost ¼ inch thick, thicker than an aluminum hull (found in aluminum boats, aluminum canoes and aluminum fishing boats – L.K).
I have watched my Bote's hull flex inward when the boat rubbed against a partially submerged stump or branch and I watched it spring back. Upon inspection on shore, no damage could be seen on the hull, not even a scratch.
It never needs painting. All I do at the end of the day, before I put it back on the wall, is to sweep out any dirt from inside the hull, make sure it is dry on the inside, and wipe down the outside hull and hinges with a some vinyl-protectant. That's it.
Versatility: The Porta-Bote can be used on ponds, lakes and rivers. It can be a fishing boat, a sail boat (with optional sail kit), a duck-hunting boat, a ship-to-shore dinghy or just a weekend family pleasure boat. It can easily be transported on top of most vehicles (no need of boat trailer), RVs, seaplanes and yak. The British Royal Air Force Climbing & Rescue Team used it on their record setting climb up Mt. Everest. The team used the Porta-Bote at 20,000 feet to cross a glacier lake. Inflatable boats were too puncture-prone and unreliable while ordinary rigid boats (such as: aluminum boats, wooden boats and fiberglass boats – L.K) were too heavy to carry up Everest. The Porta-Bote fit perfectly on the back of a yak. I use my Boat as a fly fishing boat and transport it on top of my Jeep Cherokee. If I ever need to put my Porta-Bote on top of a yak someday, I am confident it will perform as advertised!
I usually set up the Bote right at the water's edge and just push it off the shore. I add the following items to my Bote: two rod-holders, two small buckets with mushroom anchors, a gunwale boat bag, full-size trolling marine battery under the rear seat, plastic accessories container behind rear seat, long handled net and a thick nylon loop at the bow for pulling. That's it! Everything fits inside my Jeep and the Porta-Bote is secured to the luggage rack with straps. It takes me about 20 minutes to set up the Porta-Bote and 10 minutes to fold it back up at the end of the day.
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