Porta-Bote The Portable Boat

[the_skdster]

Finally found something I can use, instead of having a trailer. Since I can't afford a trailer or have space to even store one for that matter.
Was looking into individual pontoons when I came across this. Will never buy an inflatable, ever.
Asked site for local retailers and they gave me one.
Cabela's sells this in the US, wonder why not Bass Pro?

Da Porta-Bote! 10'8" model
-less than 4" thick when folded up.
Hull Weight...................................................58 lb or 26 kg - less seats and transom board
Assembled Hull weight...................................88 lb or 39 kg - with seats and transom installed

8, 10, 12 and 14 foot models

.com kinda hick site...
http://www.porta-bote.com/

Ontario retailer - Ontario Portable Boats
http://www.ontarioportableboats.com/por ... rices.html

GREAT user vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdFrNkSYRSs

Gonna give them a call soon.
Really looking onto the 10footer.

Whatcha'll think?
Anyone know anyone who has one? Any thoughts? They've been made supposedly for over 30 years.
Seems like I'll have one by end of next year, sooner if I can find one used under 12foot. :roll:

 

[Bigfisherman]

I was looking into these for the smaller lakes/ponds I fish. but kinda pricey if they were under $1000 I would try one out. If you decide to buy it let us know how it works out. When I was researching porta boats I didn't find anything really bad about them.

 

[YAWN]

I have seen this boat close up on Orangeville Reservoir and the owners had no complaints but they didn't head out too far and no motor attached.

Light as anything folded up into a surf board thing but over all I would rather a canoe that this thing.

Now I didn't go in it or try it but I helped load it onto there car roof. Looked ok and a great concept but I'd have a hard time building up my confidence in something like this.

And when I looked at the price of these things I remember thinking FRIG that!

 

[PainInTheBass]

I read a review of these boats on tackletour.com here http://www.tackletour.com/reviewportabote.html.

I find that these guys are quite thorough with their reviews, and they seemed very impressed. It is pricy, but I think is a very nice alternative to inflatables.

 

[the_skdster]

I know for a fact that I will not be able to get a trailer and tin can, since I will have no place to put either. Not for the next 6 years at the least.
And storage is a no-no.
So for people like me, this seems to be godsend.
I don't mind spending the extra $1000(shudders) since it'll be the only thing I'll be able to use practically.

Not to mention I can finally take all my cousins out. :roll:

I read a review of these boats on tackletour.com here http://www.tackletour.com/reviewportabote.html.

Thanks for that tenichman!

 

[PainInTheBass]

NP!

I wish I had found out about it before I had gone the route of inflatable. I definitely would have strongly considered a porta-bote.

I sound like an infomercial...

"Billy Mays here..."

*shudder

 

[YAWN]

the_skdster you make a very good point for us renting in the city with little to no room for storage.

 

[Spinninreel]

I wonder how strong a boat like this is. You lean on the side of the boat and water starts coming in! Or you hit a rock and blub, blub, blub!

 

[the_skdster]

I wonder how strong a boat like this is. You lean on the side of the boat and water starts coming in! Or you hit a rock and blub, blub, blub!

Read the above posted reviews.
No one seems to have such problems, no matter how hard I search throughout the net. lol :roll:

*reviews read material is very, very durable.
*plus virtually unsinkable. that's a plus, no?

 

[halleb]

Yeah, this looks and sounds very good. I know about porta-a-bote for about one year now , last year it cost a bit less.
Also, BPS had similar boat, portable, light weight, but made out of aluminum, cost was $1500 , few weeks ago when I went to BPS last time, they still had one left.

 

[the_skdster]

Also, BPS had similar boat, portable, light weight, but made out of aluminum, cost was $1500 , few weeks ago when I went to BPS last time, they still had one left.

Link if BPS site has it?

 

[halleb]

Also, BPS had similar boat, portable, light weight, but made out of aluminum, cost was $1500 , few weeks ago when I went to BPS last time, they still had one left.

Link if BPS site has it?

I did not see it on web site, I saw it in actual BPS store at 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan, ONT L4K 5W4
Phone: 905 761 4000. I saw it at the beginning of the season, was thinking seriously to buy it, but then went on extended vacation out of country and decided to pass on it for this year. When I visited BPS few weeks ago, guy working there said that they have one left, and that they will not carry this boat any more.