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Porta-bote

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:02 am
by burt bee
Can anyone let me know if they have a porta-bote with a seagull engine on it and how does it handle,
also what type and shaft length is it, as myself and a friend of mine have just aquired a silver century with clutch and a forty featherweight + both short shafts and we would like to use them on the porta-botes we will be buying soon.

Re: Porta-bote

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:39 pm
by david doyle
I had an early aluminum version of the porta-boat. (the transom model). They take a 15 inch leg. The only reason to own one of those boats is if you need to drag it into your trap line cabin on a narrow trail with a ski-doo. Barring that IMHO they are best avoided. You will be much,much happier with a real boat. Happiest day of ownership will be the day you find a guy who will still buy it after you list the 10 reasons you hate it. Took me a while to find that guy.

Re: Porta-bote

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:45 pm
by Horsley-Anarak
David Your brilliant. :roll:

Re: Porta-bote

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:58 pm
by Charles uk
Ask the Kiwi's what they think, from what I've heard they're very impressed, just look at the Waikato results.

Re: Porta-bote

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:26 am
by david doyle
Charles, when you buy one and decide it is a good boat I'll be interested to hear what I missed.

Re: Porta-bote

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 6:00 am
by Charles uk
The first time I ever saw one was in NZ in 09 I think, it was owned by Graham, the nice man from Simply Seagulls, my views after looking at his porta loo were similar to yours.

3 days later when the Waikato race was over, even though I'd said nothing to Graham about his boat, I apologised to him for what I'd been thinking, that plastic thing went really well with his Seagull on the back.

I know the Tinker has tried one out with his motor, lets wait for his comment, as I've never been in one.

Re: Porta-bote

Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:44 am
by The Tinker
Ugly boat but goes really well with a seagull on it. A porta boat holds a couple of Waikato river records.

Re: Porta-bote

Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 8:47 pm
by david doyle
I guess it comes down to what the purchaser wants in a boat. I am surprised that convential hull manufacturers do not replicate the porta boat hull lines in a solid craft if it is that good? Again my experience is with the early Aluminum version which I suspect was heavier(?) I bought it because of the quality of construction but learned to hate it pretty quick.

Re: Porta-bote

Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 12:35 pm
by CatiGull
They are common around cape cod for cruisers in the 17-22 foot category...too small to put the tender on deck.

Vastly superior to inflatables and that hassle. I tow a 10 foot skiff behind my 26, with the caveat that if I hit heavily seas I will have to cut the painter and buy a new one .... :roll: