Folding boats?

Afry · Feb-03-2008, 11:14 PM

Cool, I was hoping they were usable. Sounds like a great camper boat. I already have an air cooled Honda 4s 2.5hp that would be perfect. I want to camp more next year.

bufo1313 · Feb-04-2008, 08:53 AM

Mine is also a 12 footer with a 5 hp 4 stroke outboard. I have swivel seats, a sonar and downriggers on it and they are quickly removable for transport of the boat. Like Marlyn, I keep the boat together and ready during the summer, but in the winter I do fold it up and keep it in the garage because of freezing temperatures and snow.

marlyn · Feb-04-2008, 11:03 AM

arnie,your engine is perfect for a portabote.the great thing is if you want to fish one lake in the am and another later in the day its so easy to do,just throw it on the truck and go.doc,i have swivel seats and sonar on mine too but im curious how you did the downriggers?could you post a pic?i use leadcore alot in the sierras but it sucks fighting the fish on it,downriggers would be sweet,i have them on my big boat for threshers etc etc but how do you put them on a porta bote?

bufo1313 · Feb-04-2008, 11:59 AM

Marlyn; sorry, no pictures. I use Scotty manual downriggers (2 feet/turn), so they are easy on and off. I built pedistals out of wood to which I attached two heavy velcro straps. The pedistals are strapped to the seat butted against the boat sides and the downriggers slide into the downrigger brackets. The rear pedistal has the base extended about 10 inches foreward where my Humminbird sonar screen is mounted and the transducer is mounted on a redwood 2x2 which clamps to the transom. I also use velcro straps to attach my swivel seats.

5150dude · Feb-06-2008, 03:57 PM

I was looking at these to get to shore and back.
$500.00.
I have no idea how good they are.
Inflatable Kayaks by Saturn. High quality at lowest prices in USA!

Fog Ducker · Feb-06-2008, 05:48 PM

I bought a Porta-bote last year off ebay. I paid $1500 and I had to drive to Vegas to get it. It came with a New-ish 5hp Nissan, wheels, rv holder, gas tank, some swivel seats and paddles. I bought it to fish the harbor and the first time I took it out was with my daughter on a pretty calm day. Even though it looks easy to put together its really a pain in the ass. It did pretty good when it came to speed but I didn't like the feeling of fishing from it, it felt like I was riding on a trampoline - there was very little underfoot stability and when someone moved everyone felt it. I sold it after that one trip for $1200. I think an aluminum boat for the same price would be more practical. If you must have a 12' boat that folds down to 4" then it would be ok.

There are two types of Porta-botes, the old ones are tapered to a point at both ends and I would avoid those. The new ones, the Genisis IV are designed like a standard boat.