I bought a boat! (not C-Dory)

hardee":1bpf9axe said:
www.porta-bote.com

For info on the Porta-Bote.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Click to expand...

Looking at the Porta-Bote instructions it seems that it would be kind of hard to set up (deploy) if you were cruising with it folded up on the top of the cabin and decided to use it. Not really enough space in the cockpit of a 22 or 25 to lay it out and stand on one side while using the "2 Step Boat Opener" to unfold the boat.

With my inflatable (if it is stowed in the container) I can spread it across the splash well and put a bit of air in it, then toss it over the side and fill it up while it is floating.
 
We had a Porta-Bote back when we had a Corsair Trimaran (sailboat). It was a challenge to set up on the nets, but the biggest issue with it was the gawd-awful black marks the bottom center joint on the PB leaves if it rubs against your pretty while gelcoat. It was a decent dinghy - as Harvey mentions: nearly indestructible. Between a solid dinghy and an inflatable, I considered it to "slither" over waves; a bit unnerving at first, but it was never a safety issue while we had the PB. I would think it would be impossible to set up in the small cockpit of any C-Dory... you get what amounts to a wooden "pry bar" to hold the boat open while inserting the seats. And, speaking of seats, the Porta-bote folds up to the size of a surfboard, but you also have the seats and transom, which take up a considerable amount of room.

We already had an inflatable dinghy when we bought our C-Dory, but I sold the Porta-bote at that point, knowing that I wouldn't be using it with the CD-25. The Porta-bote was relatively convenient to take with the motorhome we had at the time (PB strapped on top of our Tahoe tow vehicle, seats and transom in the back of the SUV). You need space the length of the PB, plus more than it's width to set up (you stand beside it to get the process started).
 
Jim, Thanks for the mention og th PB leaving a black streak. I have an 8 ft PB, but have not used it on the C-Dory (yet), as I have not figured how to get it up on my rack. It is heavier by 20 pounds over the Alaska version I have. I agree, it would be near impossible to set it up in a CD cockpit, so if/when I use it on the C-Dory, it will travel up on the rack over the cockpit.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?full ... _photo.php
 
Harvey, I like the Porta-bote; certainly not putting it down. It is functional, as long as you are clear about the potential downsides: storing the extra pieces (seats and transom), the black streak, and the prying-open part of the set up. Now, for full disclosure, that tight set up does ease up a bit with a bunch of openings and closings. For even more disclosure, I had the boat close up on my legs once while setting it up... felt like a scene from Jaws. :mrgreen: No damage done, even when I fell on my side on the dock. I did, however, look around to see if anyone saw how stupid I looked. (No.)

I haven't heard of anyone being wrestled to the ground by their inflatable dinghy... although I did have the bottom of one come unglued while spray-washing the bottom on Wild Blue while in my buddy Herb's boat lift. I got 10 years of good service out of that dinghy... and, no, that "inflatable dinghy glue" didn't hold.
 
JamesTXSD":3mewrw39 said:
I did, however, look around to see if anyone saw how stupid I looked. (No.)
Click to expand...


Jim, that's a boaters "Natural" instinct! Bass opening day 2007(still remember the date) I was coming back into the marina around 7:30am. Came to the wall and decided it would be a good idea to sit on the gunwhale instead of reaching over for the cleat. Ended up leaning too far and my hand on the wall had the effect of pushing the boat off the wall - into the drink I went. In a last ditch effort I grabbed the VHF antenna(which snapped like a twig). The water was less than 4' so no problem standing up and yes the next thing I did was look around to see if anyone had seen my mishap! (No). I did find it rather funny later so decided to tell the guys at work. 13 years later I am still the brunt of many "Antenna" jokes!

You are not alone brother! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Regards,

Rob
 
Jim and Rob. Here I thought I was the only one who checked to see if anyone was looking..... and there was. A whole wedding part standing on the balcany at John Wayne Marina. Oh man, that was embarrassing :oops: :oops: :oops:

Now back to the original (?) thought. I think the Porta-Bote can work, BUT I'm pretty sure it works best if it is left assembled.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Relieved to learn I'm not the only one to look around to see if wedding parties or Youtubers are amused by my bloopers.
Hey, Mark, I also want to congratulate you for your latest family member. That's one eye-catching, classy craft, and I wish you both years of delightful cruises. That style and size has long been a favorite of mine. And hey, it's good to know we've added a bountiful party boat to the regatta!
:cocktail
 
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