I have had my Porta-Bote for almost 12 years. It is older than the one you are showing so some of the bits and pieces are a little different. I love it for many of the reasons you listed in your video. The two large ABS plastic seats failed due to kids jumping on them from the dock. I built two new hollow box seats from plywood and mahogany, filling the hollow part with foam for added floatation. They're a bit heavier but have stood the test of time, about 7~8 years now. I also re-enforced the transom with two mahogany slats running athwartships and thru bolted to the transom piece at the ends. To keep the black split pipe on the gunnels from marring big boat topsides I got a piece of 1 & 1/2" (38mm) inside diameter nylon re-enforced water tubing and cut a split in it full length. This easily fit over the gunnel pipe and is fastened from the inside ONLY to the black gunnel pipe with round head SS sheet metal screws thru the nylon and into the black tube. Did this about two years ago, still working fine. Another problem I had was with the folding plastic transom piece that is stapled into the boat. Due to age and flexing this piece cracked on its centerline about 6"(150mm) up from the bottom of the dingy and for about 4"(100mm) along the bottom joint to the hull on each side of the centerline. Sealing this crack proved to be a very difficult task for a number of years since nothing I tried in the sealing / adhesive range sticks to the plastic from which the boat is made. UNTIL I stumbled upon a solution. Just for kicks I applied a a small patch(50mm X 50mm) of good old fashioned contact cement(NOT the water based stuff) to the surface of the plastic transom piece in an out of the way place and let it thoroughly dry out. Amazing! This contact cement stuck like glue(pun intended) to the plastic. In fact it stuck so well I found it near impossible to remove the test patch. BUT what really make this work to repair the cracks is...wait for it...cotton fiber. This is the stuff that is sold in most any grocery store in the baby goods or cosmetic section. Cotton balls would also work. It tales bit of fiddling but works in much the same way a fiberglass re-enforced plastic like boats. Many do not know but natural cotton fibers are quite strong. And they remain flexible along with the contact cement. I found that applying a base coat of the contact cement first and letting it go tack free is a good way to start. Then tear up the cotton into smallish pieces and stick it into place with more contact cement. Anyone experienced with applying fiberglass mat and resin will get this method pretty fast. BUT the cotton fibers and contact cement do not behave quite the same way as f/g and resin. The cotton will "wet out" just like f/g but the whole thing is quite a sticky mess to get it to go and stay where you want it. Hence "It tales bit of fiddling". I built up a number of layers doing this and made something like cotton rope applied parallel to and inside the cracks and applied more cotton over the top of this. To insure good adhesion I overlapped onto the surface about 50mm beyond the cracks. So far, something over one year now, this repair has held up 100% leak free.
Thanks for sharing your experience. The centerline crack that you talk about in the bladder of the transom is just about the only Achilles heel that I know of with the Porta-Bote. It appears from what I gather on owner Facebook pages a problem that happens to some boats over time. The manufacturer recommends at least once a year to treat the whole boat with Armor-All. I do this on my boat plus about every 3 months I spray down the entire transom with Armor-All. My boat is only 3.5 years old but so far I have had no problems with this crack. My boat, being it is newer, has a different design on the transom than yours. It is known as the Alpha-Series and features a center board that runs from the back seat to the transom and provides more rigidity than previous models (you may know this but I am adding this for people that are not familiar with Porta-Bote). This center board is supposed to help with the tear that develops on some transoms and is also gives more speed due to less hull flexing (manufacturers claims).
@@VikingExpeditions I carry my dingy on my sailboat and for a large number of years I have been far away from Armor-All. I am pretty sure that the crack in my transom has been exacerbated by carrying filled 5 gal water jugs in the dingy. I carried three aft and three forward the center thwart(6 X 45 lbs.). This and two adults and a load of groceries is a testament to the sturdiness and carrying capacity of the Porta-Boat. Mine is the 10' version and it is great. It is used on a nearly daily basis to ferry me to shore and back as I live on a mooring.
Your review is the best I’ve seen yet! As someone else commented my thought exactly very concise no extra fluff or agenda straight to the point super helpful. I really like your plastic ammunition can for an aerator. I was trying to think how to use a set of three of the same type of ammo cans in a plastic molded tray same as the one you have there. Thanks for the great idea I’m gonna do this. Also using a kayak paddle is awesome. I actually used one of my oars for paddling from the front similar to how guys do on paddle boards. Your method looks a lot better. I found it very difficult to get anywhere far well using the supplied oars in there oar locks was pretty slow going. It works for short distances. Going to get myself a kayak paddle now.still have mine after multiple cross country relocations break ups with women etc. It’s now over 20 years old almost like new with just a little bit of scuffs on the bottom. Was really easy to remove barnacles when I was in Sarasota Florida on Phillippi Creek. Now in a freshwater area in the Northeast. Recently looked online to see which generation 2001 9.5 foot model is Gen IV (4). Very happy with it. Was told multiple times I shouldn’t move with it or that I should throw it in the garbage. Almost sold it, but happy it’s still around and functional. Haven’t tested since this past winter it was out side along wall in freezing temps. The transom is made out of wood that looks like it was impregnated with oil base sealant black in color. Being legally blind I only run it with a trolling motor that way I can hear what’s around. I did try running it with a couple of old 1987 Sears game fisher 3.5 hp two stroke engines. Was really loud like a swarm of hornets. Slow is smooth for me smooth is fast in my case. Excellent boat I can carry it folded up by myself. Did construct a PVC trailer using old children’s bicycle wheels years ago, but left it behind. Easier just to take it to the shoreline folded open it up get everything ready to go. Biggest issue is deep cycle battery now have to replace it. Thinking about going lithium.
I have a 10 footer with cedar plank flooring in the middle. Powered by an electric troll motor and Yamaha 2.5hp OB. Awesome set up for near shore fishing.
Superb, objective and honest analysis of this excellent little boat. I was going to buy a Porta-Bote, but then discovered Alpacka Raft Packrafts, expedition quality boats that are person portable, as they weigh five pounds and pack to the size of a sleeping bag. This perfectly suited my intended usage and I have two Packrafts, both from Alpacka Raft. I notice your travel trailer, and I was hugely impressed at first sight of this manufacturer's interpretation of the type. Clever design abounds and they've done a great job of condensing it down to maximise it for travelling, yet having a spacious, airy, well equipped travel cabin when you arrive at your camp location.
Thanks for watching! I own an Alpacka Mule. Alpacka makes a great product and I use mine for backcountry lakes and whitewater fishing trips. For the trips that I have to cover distance, go up-current or into the wind I like the capability of the Portabote to add a motor. You can't play golf well with one golf club and boating/fishing is the same way, no one boat covers all situations. In my case I have 7 different watercraft from Bay Boats to pack rafts.
Nice review. I have an older 8'6" Porta-bote that I had to replace the transom on as it was a leaky mess. Otherwise it has been a good little dinghy for my 27' sailboat. The bottom now looks like warm death over cold peas, but has yet to spring a leak. I have taken it places where no inflatable dinghy would dare go, and as a bonus no self respecting thief would ever steal it.
Would be interested to know what steps you took to fix or replace your transom in boat. Mine is from 2001 surprisingly the website manufacture says this is a generation four model. 9 1/2 feet in length. I usually just tell people it’s 10 feet. Fits well on my second floor apartment balcony fold it up flat against the railing. Use exclusively now with a 50 pound thrust trolling motor. Anybody tried lithium batteries. My deep cycle no good after 10 years.
I’m probably going to get the same setup as you. Had one before with Old Honda, back when I was a beginner, had several boats up to 26 foot CC,,but now getting older and weaker, going backwards, but still good.
I own a Porta Bote (10.5') and I love it -- but I personally find those seats very uncomfortable to sit on for hours. Each time I tried it my back was angry at me after about two hours. There is an easy solution, however. I put a regular old canvas camp chair sideways in between the rear and center seats and it is comfortable to sit in for hours on end (and also makes it easier to work the engine, because I'm sitting sideways in the boat. I can troll for hours with my feet up on the side of the boat.) It's also the perfect height. I tried a duck blind chair first and it was much too high. The camp chair is an effective, comfortable and cheap solution for anyone who finds the hard plastic seats unbearable or wants to sit sideways at the perfect distance and angle to work the engine tiller. :)
Thanks for your suggestion. I just sit on a boat cushion and can fish for hours. My wife uses a canoe seat that straps to the seats to hold it in place (cost around $40). Porta-Bote sells a high-back seat but I opted out of that because it cost $169 US each.
Thanks for making this vid - it helped a ton when I was deciding between the PB and a kayak. I do a lot of ocean fishing here in SF, CA and have a video on my channel of me taking it in the ocean if anyone is wondering about its seaworthiness ;)
Good production value and review! I've had my Porta-Bote for close to 20 years and love it. While they've added several improvements (most notably the built-in transom) I won't be parting with mine for a while. I liked your comments about your outboard and will definitely keep that in mind when it's time for an upgrade, which will be soon.
Wow 20 years that is great! Have you put anything on the hull to help preserve it? I put ArmorAll on mine but I want to learn from someone who has had their boat for as long as you have had it. Thanks!
No, I've never used anything to coat the hull. The seams are what I initially had the most concern about, as those would be the toughest to repair. But they are still as tight as ever. (When I bought it, I think I read that Porta-Bote tested the seams at 20,000 opens and closures. But that wouldn't have accounted for any aging or deterioration over time.) The two areas which show the most age are the seats and transom. The plastic around where the moving metal joins with the seats has chipped away and I've repaired it with Mighty Putty. And the layers of the transom plywood are beginning to separate. Eventually, I will have to cut a new transom. (This is the old version with the removable transom. They are internal and part of the folding unit now.) As I mentioned in my earlier posting, my next purchase will probably be a new outboard. The 4HP Johnson I have now is good but not great. I'd like a little more power. Finally, in case you don't know, there is a Porta-Bote Fanclub page on Facebook, which has a lot of good advice about maintanence and repair.
John Walters I would stay away from Armor all on plastic and rubber. It had a bad reputation back in the day, and a lot of tire warranties were denied from armor-all causing cracks in the sidewalks Topcoat or 303 protectant will work much better. More expensive, but it’s worth it.
This was my first boat, with 5th 4 stroke Nissan. I could carry it + 5 people in midsize sedan :) Added wooden insert into the bow as the Harald the Dutchman portatboter did. Sold it to an RV guy for almost the same money, and used the outboard on a sailboat. I even tried to sail the thing and bought the sailing kit for it, but its not worth it. Great boat though
I'm glad I did not get the sail kit but I feel as though I wasted money on that flimsy looking Bimini top which looks like it could fly away in the slightest Breeze.
You answered all my questions, now I just need a roof rack for my F250. I already have a 6hp motor and a couple SUP paddles. Have you ever jumped out of it and climbed back in? I wonder if a ladder would work, I like snorkeling
John great review. Thank you. I have the exact same boat and motor but have experienced one issue that seems to be unheard from the factory. As the boat accelerates the point of hull drag seems to move forward thus pulling the front of the boat down. This forward point of drag makes the boat very unstable unless you are going straight. If you attempt to turn prior to slowing down it goes into the turn too quickly and feels like it is about to roll over. I have my fuel forward as you do and have played with different trim adjustments on the motor with no real difference in performance. I watch the factory videos and I see the boat moving very quickly and maneuvering without problems. So, when I have spoken to the factory they are not aware of what I am describing. Have you experienced anything like I am describing? Generally I am very happy with the boat and as long as I keep the speed down it is alright. But I definitely can't run the motor up to its top speed.
The effect of the front of the boat going down and the back of the boat rising is common as it goes on plane. On my 12 foot boat with the 6 HP Suzuki this usually happens around 9 to 10 MPH. As the back of the transom rises less of your prop area is going to be under water and this is what causes loss of steering control. What I do is steer by leaning or moving my body weight a little like a surfer would. Once you do it a few times it becomes second nature and you don't even think about it. If the wind is blowing hard and I need to make a turn I will slow down as I make the turn to get more bite on the prop. I hope this helps and thanks for your question and for watching.
@@VikingExpeditions an older gentleman is wanting to sell an 2008 model for $2500 and is claiming it will hold up to a 10hp motor, 14 ft, this I suspect is not true but he is willing to set it up and show me,
@@schoc13 I personally do not have any experience with the 14 foot model. From posts that I have read others have put a 10 HP motor on the 14 foot model. The 14 foot model does have some additional bracing that the other models do not have so a 10 HP may work. The advice I would have for you on this is to go and try it out. These are the things I would be concerned about: The 14 foot model is heavy, will you be able to move it around like you want; A four stroke 10 HP motor is heavy will you be able to move it around like you want: With a 10 HP motor you will have to carry an external fuel tank. The last thing I would check out on any used Porta Bote is the lower center of the transom, this is the one weak point of the boat were it can leak, if it is cracked do not buy the boat. This crack can be fixed but from reading lots of posts on the matter it is a lot of work and headaches. Most PB never get this crack but it is something you want to look for. Good luck in finding the right boat.
@@VikingExpeditions thanks for the reply! the elderly gentlemen have agreed to assemble and run it with my 9.9hp motor, they said they've run with their 9hp motor plenty of times with 2adults and a dog but 2k for a 2008 model sounds like a lot? but they do have some extras included like wheels 2 swivel back seats and perforated floor mats
Sorry I did not have that information covered. It is really easy to put the motor on. Usually I put the boat in the water next to shore with the transom end in at least 6 inches of water and then just put the motor on the transom and clamp it down. Its a very easy one man operation. One other tip is to tilt the motor before you take it off, this way you don't have to be in very deep water to take it off or put it on. Thanks for watching!
I use an Attwood 3 gallon gas tank. As far as tank connectors I went with the Attwood Suzuki connector part # 14527-6 (screws into top of tank). On the fuel hose side I bought the Attwood Chrysler/Force/Suzuki connector (part #8885-6). My fuel line is 10 foot long so I can put my tank in front of the middle seat for better weight balance. Be sure you get a good quality fuel line that is ethanol resistant. I never run ethanol fuel in mine but just in case you do. Last piece of advice don't go on the cheap end for your fuel line primer bulb. I have not had good luck with off brand fuel primer bulbs (don't buy Attwood for this part). I personally recommend the Mercury primer bulbs. Thanks for watching and let me know if you have any other questions.
FYI... Putting one half twist in the roof straps will stop the straps from "humming" at high speed. A flat strap vibrates in the wind. A strap with a twist doesn't.
Dear Sir, many thanks for the video. Im thinking in purchase a combination like yours: 12" Porta Bote plus a 6HP outboard Suzuki motor. Greatings from Portugal.
Hey great video , how do you transport engine ? I’m guessing you have to keep it up-right ? Even though the Suzuki engine has better design for transport, do you still get a gas smell in your Jeep? This would probably be a good video idea if you’re up for it ! Thanks for sharing!
I store the engine on the side where the throttle handle is on top of a seat cushion to keep the head of the motor as high as I can to keep water from flowing back into the head of the motor which can cause corrosion . I had this motor for about a year and i had to take it in for warranty service because one of my valves was corroded. I was told that there was a design flaw with the motor and that when they repaired my motor they put in a new part that allowed the water to evaporate better so the valve would not corrode. The engine itself does not smell of gas fumes after use (good design). I use an external 3 gallon fuel tank and I pull the fuel hose from the engine when I am about 2 minutes from the ramp and that burns most of the gas from the carburetor but even when I do not do this the engine does not smell. The fuel line does smell and i am working on a solution for that like putting it into some air tight container but have concerns on the gas fumes being ignitable in a small contained area. With the windows open in the Jeep the smell of gas dissipates in under 2 minutes so it is not noticeable and running the AC or heat vents any smell outside the cabin. I did a six week 5,700 mile trip from Florida to Michigan fishing dozens of lakes, rivers and creeks and the gas smell was not a problem. My 3 gallon gas tank is one of the newer EPA vent-less tanks and that does not smell either. I do try and park the jeep in the shade and I place a boat cushion on top of the tank to keep it cool. At the 40 second mark in this video you can see how I pack my Jeep Commander, the motor and gas tank are under my 5 tackle bags ruclips.net/video/GqhC5iSHLg8/видео.html Thanks for watching and let me know if you have any other questions.
John, what type travel trailer is that? We have a large Winnebago bullet type trailer, and put our Hobie Revolution 13 fishing kayaks on a rack on the tow vehicle. We fish a large lake called Eagle Lake, here in Northern California. Eagle Lake Trout, are red meat, similar to Salmon. Average fish is about four pounds. We filet, smoke, and vacuum pack our catch while we are there for a month or so each year. There is a man who fishes the lake in a port a bote, and small motor, and he is pretty successful. The lake can be very dangerous, as it is very large, and the wind kicks up swells that can be 4, coming from all directions. I have been caught in two storms in a canoe and paddles, and almost went down. We switched to kayaks in 2016. The kayaks feel a lot safer, when conditions deteriorate, and they can within 15 minutes. I use leaded line on one side, and a small down-rigger on the other side. Both methods are equally productive.
The Travel Trailer I have is called a Trail Manor. The model type is a 3326 which they don't make anymore. They have other models but they are a little smaller. Enjoyed your fishing report on Eagle Lake. I purchased a down-rigger for the portabote and it is nice when you need to fish deep. Let me know if you have any other questions.
There are other options out there just do a Google search on "Who makes folding boats." What I did when I was making my decision was write down the features that were most important to me and see what manufacturer's boat best fit my needs. I also searched for owner Facebook pages to see how people were using the boats and if they were happy with the product. I put in a lot of time on the analysis and I will have to say after 3 years of ownership of the Porte-Bote I am happy with my decision. I've used the boat from the topical waters of the Florida Keys to exploring lakes and rivers in Wisconsin and Michigan. I've had zero problems with the boat. Good luck with your search and if you find something better let me know I would like to check it out. Thanks for watching and for your question!
Thanks for watching! My trailer is a 3326 Trail Manor a model they don't make anymore. Since I bought my camper the company has changed hands twice so I can't speak to current quality or customer service. I've had my model for over 10 years and have been very happy with it. Set up is pretty quick and only takes less than 5 minutes to set up verses a camper that does not collapse. Advantages of this type of camper is that the hard walls keep you bone dry in hard rains verses a traditional pop-up. Being that it collapses you can store it in your own garage instead of storing it at a lot and paying around $100 a month. Tows and tracks well in the wind. I probably won't be making a video on it soon but here is a link to the companies web site: www.trailmanor.com/product-line . They also have a owners forum.
I bought the Suzuki because it was the lightest motor in the 6HP class at the time. I also had never owned one before and wanted to give it a try. On paper the Suzuki looked like a good choice due to features like the shallow water drive, separate oil filter and corrosion protection. Interesting thing happened to me, with less than a year on the motor one of the valves rusted and had to be replaced under warranty. I've owned outboards for close to 50 years and this is the first time I have ever had this problem. After checking on owner forums I found others that had had this problem. I won't say that it was a common problem but there were enough other people with the problem to cause me concern. I have used the motor now for over 2 years since the repair with no other problems. The mechanic who repaired my motor told me the rusting problem was a design flaw with venting moisture out of the motor and the new parts that he put into the motor were redesigned to fix the problem and keep it from reoccurring. For the Porta-Bote knowing what I know now I would probably stick with the Suzuki. My second choice in a 6HP motor would be Yamaha. I have always had great luck with Yamahas, one lasted me over 26 years of heavy use. I did not buy the 6 HP Yamaha because it was several hundred dollars more than the Suzuki and it weighed more. If the Suzuki had not proved to me over the last 2 years that it was reliable I would gladly pay the extra money for the Yamaha but in this case I am glad I have the extra money to do something fun with. From my experience you can never go wrong with a Yamaha. I am not a big fan of Hondas. My friends that have had them found them to be unreliable and none of them bought a second Honda. If you are in the middle of nowhere if can be hard to find a mechanic or parts to fix them. Hondas are usually heavier than other motors in their class. Tohatsu makes a good motor and in the under 25 HP market they do a lot of manufacturing for other brands like Mercury. The only negative that I know about Tohatsu is that they can be harder to start in cold weather than other brands. Between Suzuki, Yamaha, Tohatsu and Mercury I don't think you can make a bad choice. Choose a motor that you can get service on in your area. By the way I've talked to several mechanics across all brands mentioned and none of them like working on small 6 HP motors. They find them hard to work on and temperamental. So to me this is even more reason to get a motor that has a reputation for being reliable. In case you are mechanical I have changed the oil, filter, gear oil and removed the carburetor for ultrasonic cleaning by myself on the Suzuki without any challenges. In my opinion the Suzuki was designed so you can work on it easily without having to move stuff out of the way or use special tools. Good luck with your decision and thanks for watching.
@@VikingExpeditions Thank you for taking the time--and very good info. Shocked though by your report on Honda--I had always heard the opposite. Then again, they don't even make a six. Thanks again.
I've had small fiberglass boats , polyethylene Kayaks of all types and inflatable kayaks , but these Portabotes. Material wise ...was super durable. The plastic used in these boats is. A 1 quality
HI! It seems like my 9.9 motor would be so heavy for this. Do you think you would trust this with a 9.9 hp. One more question. Do you know if you went out on a windless day but you encountered other boat making waves would you think that is doable?
Personally I would not recommend a 9.9 HP motor on a 12 foot Porta-Bote. Some people have put 9.9 two stroke motors on them but these motors weigh more than the manufacturer recommends for the transom of the boat. For your next question the 12 foot Porta-Bote will handle boat waves as good or even better than the average 12 foot boat. The reason for this is the boat has some flexibility that absorbs the energy of waves better than a rigid boat. The key to going over or through waves with a Porta-Bote is to keep your bow up either by giving power to the motor to rise up the bow or by putting weight to the back of the boat to keep the bow up. I've owned a lot of small boats and the Porta-Bote has been one of the best as far a sea worthiness. If winds or seas are high no small boat should be out in them. Thanks for watching and for your question.
I don't know what the current prices are on the boats. I suggest you go to the Porta-bote website and they have a price list there. I also believe that there is a dealer in Canada that carries them, again you can find this out on their website. Another option is to buy used, check Facebook Marketplace or the Porta-Bote owners Facebook page. Later this summer I will be fishing over in Nova Scotia. I am flying so I will not be bringing a boat. Good luck with your search!
Are you able to use the kayak paddle to paddle against the wind? I'm just wondering if I can ditch the oars and just go to a kayak paddle for a backup if my engine fails. I have a 10' Porta Bote and I love it, but space is at a premium.
From my experience ditch the oars and use the kayak paddle. I used my oars once when I did a on the water test between them and the kayak paddle. The kayak paddle won by a long shot. If you do use a kayak paddle you will have to sit in the front bow seat, it does not work well from the back of the boat. The other advantage of the kayak paddle is that it is quieter and that is important if you are fishing. See if you can borrow a kayak paddle or rent one from an outfitter to try it out before you buy. Walmart sells kayak paddles and sometimes has good quality paddles for a low cost. If you paddle a lot I would suggest getting a good quality light weight carbon fiber 2 piece paddle. Buy a paddle of the proper length, should be as tall as the tip of your fingers when you hold them as far as you can above your head. I would also get a paddle with a wide blade, this will give you more thrust (pulling power through the water). It takes more energy on your part to use a wide blade paddle but it pays off for the Porta-Bote application. If you have any other questions please let me know.
We bought that same motor in 2017 from the manufacturer of your folding boat. We ended up getting a lemon motor. That will not start after it has been stored for a few weeks. The exhaust valve sticks either open or shut, due to some manufacturing defect. The recommended Suzuki authorized shop replaced everything in the valve train, and the cylinder head, and we still have the same issues. It’s a nice motor when it runs, but I don’t think I’d ever by another Suzuki.
I had the same valve issue with my 2018 Suzuki after I had the motor for 11 months. It was repaired under warranty and for the last 8 months it has worked perfectly. I was told what caused the problem is that the crankcase was not vented properly and that they engineered a new part that vented the moister out of the area so I would not have the problem again. This new part is supposedly on all new motors starting after 2018. I got this answer from my authorized Suzuki mechanic who got it from Suzuki. My first new Evinrude 9.9 HP that I purchased in 1974 was a brand new design that Evinrude first introduced that year, likewise I don't know the exact time frame that Suzuki introduced the DF6A but it was a relatively new design in 2018. My Evinrude when it was new would not idle properly due to a timing issue and spark plugs. After a year Evinrude figured it out and fixed the problem, 46 years later I still own the motor and it still runs great. Hopefully Suzuki has the problem fixed. Until I get some more time on my motor the jury is still out if I will buy another Suzuki. For the Portabote the 6 HP Suzuki is a good match based on its light weight and shallow running capabilities but it needs to be reliable. Over the years I have owned Suzuki, Johnsons, Evinrude, Mercury, and Yamaha. This Suzuki is the first motor ever to give me a problem in the block with corrosion. The best motor as far as reliability from my experience is Yamaha based on the 3 motors from them that I have owned (15 HP 2 stk, 90 HP 2 stk and 250 HP 4 stk). The Yamaha 90 HP lasted me 26 years before I sold the boat. Is it possible that while your motor was sitting waiting to be serviced that some fuel could have gone bad or varnished your carburetor. The jets are very small, about the size of a pin opening and can clog. Before I took my motor into the dealer I cleaned my carburetor in an ultrasonic cleaner so it was like brand new when the dealer did the valve repair. I also use only non-ethanol gas. Thanks for your comment and I hope you get your problem fixed soon so you can get back on the water.
John, I bought my motor from the same people that manufacture your folding boat. They are located in Mountain View, CA, and said they have never heard of the sticking valve problem, and won’t give me a new motor. They told me to take it to their recommended Suzuki service center, who tried tried to tell me that we used the wrong gas, and the carburetor was bad, which would not be covered under warranty. We told them no, we use the recommended fuel stabilizer, run the engine out of gas, and drain the float bowl. I already knew the valve was seized, and the push rod was bent. Later that day, they called back with the correct diagnosis and repaired it under warranty. It worked for the next four times we used it, for a total of nine hours. Then we stored it for a few months, and we have no compression due to a stuck open exhaust valve. I was unable to free it. When they repaired it, they didn’t say anything about a crankcase vent. It has to go back into the shop on April 6, and I’ll tell him about your engine. Ours was purchased in late 2017, and is supposed to be a 2018 model. Where is this crankcase vent located?
@@rodgraff1782 Unfortunately I don't know where the new part is in the engine. When I asked the mechanic he had a hard time describing it to me. The clearest information that I got from him is that it was a known defect and the new part was supposed to take care of the problem of moister being trapped around the valve. Since I had my repair I have had the motor out probably over a dozen times, I have no idea on how many hours. This did not apply to my problem but it is very important not to let the foot of the motor get higher than the block of the motor, if this happens water can get into the block and cause corrosion. I avoid the back-flow of water from the foot to the block by first letting the motor drain in a vertical position and then put a boat cushion under the cowling when I store it in my Jeep. At my house I keep it in a climate controlled room on a motor stand. Please keep me posted if Suzuki takes care of your issue. As of right now I only know of one other person who has had this issue besides us.
John, thank you so much for this information. When I called Suzuki, in Brea, California, and told them about my problems, I also asked if there were any recalls, or service bulletins on this problem with the 2018 DFAS2. They told me no. I also asked Sandy and Cindy, who are at Port a Bote in Mountain View CA. And they said they had never heard of this problem. I thought to myself, I can’t be the only one, so I checked some online forums, and there are several other DF6A owners who are having valves stick, if the engine is stored for more than a few weeks. Some even ended up with bent valves or broken push rods from trying to start the engine with a stuck open exhaust valve. I also experienced a bent push rod from a stuck open valve. I thought to myself, it has to be a factory defect, because the shop replaced both tappets, push rods, rocker arms, valves, valve seals, and cylinder head with new guides. I am going to call Suzuki and tell them that you were told there is a modification available that vents the moisture out of the area of the valves. When I’m finished with the engine, I run it out of fuel and drain the float bowl. I then put it on a hangar at the rear of my trawler, and run fresh water thru it with the flush nipple they supplied me with the motor. I wonder if water could be backing up into the engine, as you are not supposed to run it while doing this flush procedure. As long as I use the engine often, it will work, but if it sits too long, the exhaust will freeze up. I even tried to leave the engine on top dead center on the compression stroke, so both valves would be closed, and not let moisture in, but then it bent the push rod, when the engine was cranked. I had a slip neighbor, who had the same engine, which was a little older, and he never had this problem, so it does not affect all engines. I might want to talk to the shop who fixed your engine and knows how to do the update. Can you supply a part number for the update? My engine is supposed to go back in April 6, but it may be cancelled because of the Covid 19. Thanks ROD
It was really odd when I went to pick up my motor after it was fixed. The mechanic could not remember exactly what he had done to the motor as to what he had replaced. The only thing he could tell me was that he had replaced a part on the motor with the new designed one that would vent moisture away from the valve. When I went to the office to get my paperwork on what had been done I was told there was none because it was warranty work. Before this I have always been given paperwork on all work when I have taken my motors in for other manufacturers. Sorry I don't have part numbers for you or more information. I did reach out to Suzuki of America for more information at the time of my problem but they never got back to me. I did talk to other Suzuki mechanics besides the one at the dealer that did my work and they did tell me that they had seen issues with the motors rusting from the inside out. After reading your last post I thought of something else. Before I had my first problem with the valve I used to run my motor dry of gas. Since I have had it repaired I have not run it dry. I am wondering if by leaving gas in the system it does something to reduce the effects of moisture. This is just an idea, I have no facts to base it on.
Absolutely! Several owners have done this for both fishing and bow fishing. What owners have done is take a piece of plywood and cut it to the shape of the bow section from the back of the front seat forward. The back part of the deck is held in place and supported by the front seat and the front part of the deck is supported by metal brackets that hang over the black gunnel rail. The metal brackets are the same ones that are used to hold metal conduit onto walls, they are like a letter "C" with a tail, C_. The C section hangs on the black gunnel rail and the tail section screws into the plywood. Some owners split the deck down the middle with a piano hinge to make it smaller for transport. Other owners to add extra support put wood braces underneath the deck by the grommet holes that are standard in the bow and put bolts with a wing nut through the grommet and wood brace and secure it with a wing nut. Great question and thanks for watching!
From reading reports on the Porta-Bote Fanclub Facebook page I have seen posts referring to what you are describing. This issue happens in the middle lower transom section where the boat bends when folding. From what I have learned this issue only happens to a small percentage of boats that are around 10 years old. Many boats that are over 20 years old have not had this problem. The issue can be fixed by the factory if you return it to them for repair. The boat comes with a 10 year warranty that declines each year by 1/10. If you did not want to go through the hassle of sending the boat back there are other options for repair. Some owners have used either Flex Seal tape or paste. Others have used RV rubberized roofing materials to fix the leak. My boat is only 2 years old and has been all over the US and is still like new with no leaks. I do put "Armor All" as recommended by the manufacturer to keep the plastic flexible. A folding boat is not for everyone. If you can pull a boat on a trailer and have a place to store it get a traditional boat. With me I travel all over the United States pulling a camper so i can not pull a boat trailer so the folding boat is a great fit. Because of the folding boat I have been able to catch bone fish in the Keys and muskies in Minnesota along with seeing things I could not get to without a boat so the possibility of a leak is outweighed by the benefits of the boat. Thank you for your question and if I missed anything please let me know.
@@jeremydelarosa7605 It handles rough water just as good as any other 12 foot boat maybe a little better due to the flex in the hull. I've had it in 30 MPH winds and 1.5 foot seas and it did just fine but I would not recommend any 12 foot boat if you were going to be in conditions that were going to be much worse.
@@VikingExpeditions good to know sir! That's awesome. Just saw something for sale here in Manitoba, seems like an older model anyways for myself it looks like a good one. For the fishing I do.
@@VikingExpeditions Oh my! It is the exact model that I am looking for. It looked longer than the 31 ft models, but I wasn't sure. They don't make the 33 ft models anymore. If and when you decide to sell, please let me know. Thanks, John. I suppose the setting up and tearing down more than makes up for the gas saved and less sway because of the lower profile?
@@oldporkchops Not planning on selling anytime soon. This model is ideal for long term trips. They tract straight as an arrow and do great in cross-winds. Set up and take down adds about 2 minutes more than a traditional hard-side trailer. We looked to replace this trailer 2 years ago and could not find anything that matched our needs better so we decided to keep it. Good luck with your search and thanks for watching and your question.
@@VikingExpeditions Thank you so much for the affirmation that they are quality trailers. I'll continue my search for the 33 ft ones after what you said about them being appropriate for long trips. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with TM. Thanks, John.
Hi Joe, I use a Cabela's metal clamp on base and into that I put a Scotty's rod holder. They make plastic clamps but I had one break with a big fish, I have had no problems with the aluminum ones. Here are the links for both items: www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Aluminum-Clamp-on-Rod-Holder-Mounting-Base/701652.uts?productVariantId=1215598&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=02905840&rid=20&ds_rl=1246549&ds_rl=1246552&ds_rl=1252242&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoM_58vCn4QIVR16GCh3O7wqcEAQYASABEgKf7_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds and www.amazon.com/Scotty-279-BK-Baitcaster-Spinning-without/dp/B004O0DR48/ref=asc_df_B004O0DR48/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312061152211&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17666612011321194548&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011541&hvtargid=pla-557384830023&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62138615036&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312061152211&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17666612011321194548&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011541&hvtargid=pla-557384830023 Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for your question and for watching!
Great video! We've seen those used by sailors but never considered it's applications otherwise. Good thinking! Hope it's a fish catchin' machine for ya!
Check out Portabote's website for prices, I can't help you because I do not work for the company. You can also check out the owner's Facebook page for used boats for sale.
Loading the boat over the SUV roof rack and securing it takes not less time than the boat assembly. The straps do not hold the boat reliably enough. I had to make own rectangular roof rack from the 2" PVC pipes and secure the boat with П- bolts and two wood bars. It became much safer and boat loading and securing takes about 15 min, and unloading even faster. And 3 min is hardly enough to put the single bench in (unless a team of people assists you).
You can put a trolling motor either on the rear transom or if you buy the optional front trolling motor mount you can mount it up front. I have mine mounted up front so I can troll along shorelines and fish.
In the United States they sell currently for around $2,500 from www.Porta-bote.com for the 12 foot 6 inch model. You can also find them used on social media sites and the Porta-bote owners Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/69668807531/ . If you don't need the convenience of a folding boat there are less costly options out there. For me I pull a camper so I could not pull a boat on a trailer so the Porta-bote was the best option for me. I've owned quite a few small boats and I will say in its size class it performs at the top of its class in rough water. Thanks for your question and for watching!
THANKS. i sold my porta bote in 2010 cause of a women (she still left me 6 months later). i'm going to get me another one and i'll be damned if i get rid of it cause a women tells me too lol.
In my situation after multiple women I choose the boat and the little dog. Dogs love this boat too. Since it’s solid poly propylene their claws won’t puncture. Inflatables and dogs claws or even sharp hooks knives etc. don’t go well together. That’s another plus for this type of polypropylene constructed vessel. Love mine! Similar polypropylene material is woven and used in bullet resistant armor. It’s so stable I can get back into it from the water pulling up on the bow throwing myself in without tipping.
I would check your owners manual to see what it says about how much the racks could support. Otherwise I would consult your local Honda dealer. I hope this helps and thanks for your question.
It is a little hard to answer your question because "rough sea" can mean different things to different people. The boat is well made and will handle rough water as well as any 12' boat that I have been in. Its sides are a little higher than other 12' boats which helps reduce spray but in a 40 MPH gust I have asked people to sit on the windward side to keep the wind from catching the surface and blowing the boat over. The floor is flexible so it will give a little so you will not get pounded in rough seas and you can keep up more speed than if you were in a hard hull. I will do anything I can to avoid rough water and bad weather but sometimes you just get caught in it. On one such occasion with this boat I was caught in a thunderstorm on a large lake where I had to make it back to land with 40+ MPH gusts that kicked up a legitimate 2 foot sea and at no time did I feel the boat was going to fail me. These boats also have built in flotation so even if you fill them with water they will float. Many people use these boats on their yachts and sailboats as tenders and they travel around the world. Thank you for watching and I hope I answered your question.
@@VikingExpeditions thank you. Would you consider it a good dinghy for blue water sailing I'm about a year from being ready but the dinghy I got with the boat has seen better days and I'm looking for something that can be by stored easier
@@amelliamendel2227 Amellia this is out of my area of experience and expertise. I am a member of the "Porta-Bote Fan Club" FaceBook page and we have members on there that can give you a more accurate answer. Here is the link to the FaceBook page: facebook.com/groups/69668807531/?ref=group_header Good luck and enjoy your cruise!
When I bought my boat the manufacturer was running a special where they included the oars at no cost. The oars work fine and are made well. Some people who like to oar a lot have added different oar locks that give better performance. For my personal use I like using a kayak paddle. The kayak paddle takes up less space in the boat and in the vehicle during transport and pushes the boat just as fast as oars. Thanks for watching and for your question!
@@VikingExpeditions thank you so much for your reply! I ordered my own 12' porta-bote last week because of your wonderful review. The only hard thing was the logistics to get it sent to my country (Peru). And kind of getting my payment approved. I didn't realized you were kind enough to reply immediately, thanks again! I'll let you know how she handles in coastal waters.
I want to use both gasoline Tohatsu motor 5 hp and small electric trolling motor on my 10' Porta Boat. Two motors are too heavy on the transom, the rear boat end goes too deep, only 4" over the water is left. I decided to put the trolling motor on the bow and made the attachment similar to produced and sold by Porta Boat company. But a motor significantly lowers the bow. I am going to purchase the kayak stabilizers and install it to the bow to provide more buoyancy. Besides, it does not look safe to sit on the small bench closer to the bow at my boat, as the front boat end start to go too deep, may be because the size of the boat.
Your bow being too low to the water must be a factor of it being a 10 foot model VS my 12 footer. With the 12 foot model I have plenty of clearance and the only time I take water over the bow is if I'm in a chop of over a foot and even then if I go diagonal to the waves it's not a problem at all. The other thing that helps with mine is that I have the battery in the back left transom area. I purchased a 10 gauge, 10 ft. electrical wire extension available on Amazon or from other vendors to make the connection. Make sure to use srink wrap to waterproof the electric connections and put dielectric grease on the battery terminals. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Hi John I know you said you had no problem standing in the porta bote but I noticed in the middle of the floor seems to dip down for the bench seats bar to fit into it. Is that uncomfortable or awkaward to stand up on?
If your question is the floor hard to stand on the answer is no in my opinion. Now I have been around boats all my life so I have some sea legs but I bring people out on the boat that have never been on a small boat and they do fine and some have remarked how stable it is. In my opinion this boat is as stable or more stable than your average 12 foot boat (because of the wide beam). If I did not answer your question correctly let me know. I also have videos on my RUclips channel of the boat being used in the Florida Keys in some rougher water and that may give you some additional ideas on how stable the boat is. Thanks for your question.
Thank you for watching! I use the Cabelas aluminium clamp mount that fits the Scottys rod holders. Unfortunately I don't think Cabelas sell the aluminium clamp bases anymore. They do sell the nylon clamp bases but I had two failures with these bases when I hooked into big fish so I don't recommend them. You might find the aluminium ones on Ebay used. Thanks for your question and let me know if you have any others.
I have used the clamp on rod holders for over 3 years on the Porta-Bote with no damage to the boat whatsoever. My recommendation is to get the metal clamps. Unfortunately the manufacturer that made mine are out of business. I had a plastic Cabela's brand clamp on rod holder that broke when a big red fish hit the rod. The new Scotty's plastic clamp on rod holder looks good but I have not tried it out. If you do have any concern about digging in the clamp on the plastic just insert a small piece of 1/4 inch plywood. I did this for the first year and then I tried without the plywood and found the clamp did no damage, so then I just left the plywood at home. Thanks for your question!
Freddie sorry for my late reply, I was traveling on a fishing trip. I called Porta-Bote and they told me they have a dealer in the Philippines and you can contact him at gordoncancio@ravenworkscorp.com Thank you for watching and for your question.
The boat is manufactured with a grommet on the bow on both the port and starboard side. To connect the cleat I just took a scrap pressure treated board and cut it to a triangular shape to fit the gap at the bow. Next I drilled a hole through the board and in this hole I placed a stainless steel bolt that was about 1.5 inches long and then put the bolt through the grommet. On the inside of the hull I placed a stainless washer and then a lock washer and I tighten down the whole assembly with a stainless wing nut. If you have any other questions let me know. Thanks for watching and for your question.
On the 12 foot model the mfg recommends that you do not put more than 56 lbs. The Suzuki 6 HP 4 stroke weighs 52 lbs. On the 14 foot model I have heard of people putting up to a 9 HP. With a 6HP the 12 foot model will do around 13 MPH with 1 person and gear. Thanks for watching and for your question.
According to the Suzuki 6HP motor owners guide on page 17 you may need to adjust your carburetor and/or change jets in it if you operate the motor above 5000 feet. My suggestion is to call your local Suzuki dealer to get the details of what this adjustment would cost. If your local mechanic is not familiar with high altitude operation I would call a dealer in Colorado. Warning!!!... According to the owner's manual if you operate an outboard motor at low altitude (below 5000 feet) when the engine has been modified for high-altitude operation, the engine could be damaged from overheating so you would need to covert the carburetor back after your trip. Hope you have a great trip!
Thanks for your reply. Now the only problem we have is finding a Suzuki dealer anywhere in our area. Everyone keeps telling us to call Browns Point Marina in New Jersey of all places and we”re in Texas. We called a couple of times and were on hold for over 30 min. Getting very frustrating.
Sorry for the late reply, I got the transducer mount at Cabelas. I replaced all the hardware with stainless steel because I do a lot of boating in salt water. Here is a link to the transducer mount: www.cabelas.com/product/Portable-Transducer-Bracket/699847.uts?productVariantId=1183044&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03174000&rid=20&ds_rl=1246549&ds_rl=1246552&ds_rl=1252242&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjen4tsnv6AIVDbbICh1P7w3DEAQYASABEgJD-fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Great question, thanks to Reader's Digest running column influence on me entitled "It Always Pays to Enrich Your Word Power," oaring or rowing can be used interchangeably. According to the dictionary oaring is the verb form of oar: row; propel with or as with oars.
They run specials from time to time. The best way to find out current price is to visit their website at www.porta-bote.com/ I don't work for Porta-Bote so I don't keep up on their current pricing. They also sell Suzuki outboards.
Have you tried removing that center seat that you don't need when alone....??? I'd put some 1/2 " ply in that area to stand and move around.... or you might consider making a stick to put into that place that would be fast to remove when you are not doing that 13 mph.... just a thought
Some owners leave out the center seat to give them more open space or to make it easier to move around. Personally I always put in the center seat for many reasons. First the center seat provides extra rigidity to the hull to make it safer to run in rough waters. Many times I have left the dock and the water is smooth but when coming back to the dock I will run into rough water. By having the center seat in it makes the boat better able to handle rough water. I also use the center seat to stand on, clamp my depth finder to and provide a place to safely store my rods and kayak paddle. Thanks for watching and for your question.
You would have to contact Porta Bote for the current pricing. It’s been over a year and I really don’t remember what I paid for the boat and I don’t want to steer you wrong. For me, I look at it as being able to go on a boat whenever I want while I’m camping and not have to rent a boat or get a guide. From that standpoint I’ve already paid for the boat many times over. You can also pick up used Porta Bote on craigslist and from the Porta Bote Fan Page on Facebook. Thanks for watching and for your question.
The price varies on the size of PB you get. Mine was a 12 foot model and was around $2,300 new when I got it in 2018. Best thing to do is to call Portabote and get a quote. They also run specials at different times of the year. The new boats come with a 10 year warranty. Used boats are also an option, check Craigslist and the Portabote Fanclub Facebook page for listings. With the amount of times I have gone fishing/exploring during my travels I have already saved the cost of the boat and motor in rental fees. Plus I travel to a lot of remote areas where boat rentals are not even an option.
I should have been more clear in the video, the hull weighs 87 lbs (no gear or seats) and that is the weight that I am tilting down from the roof of my vehicle. This amount of weight is pretty easy for one person to get off of a vehicle roof because if you are tilting the boat off you are probably dealing with around 45 pounds or less. On the 12 foot model there are three seats that you add when you assemble the boat. The total for the 3 seats is probably around 10 pounds, so the total for boat and seats is under 100 pounds plus any other gear you want to take.
Trout....yes...not a spec thought.....sorry to say....just a lake trout.....8.5 pd spec.....I have seen...yes...because we raise them......most people never will.
I had one for 3 years that I just sold last year.(12 ft.) Worked well but I got sick of putting it together each time. I got a 12 ft. Jon boat to replace it. I cartop the Jon boat using a system like this ( ruclips.net/video/HsIKMeSC6_4/видео.html). For me, it works better and faster. Hope you enjoy the boat.
I purchased a 10 footer port a boat. The floor was so flimsy that I could not stand on it to get into it or get out of it. The boat was so useless that it was not practical or safe to use for anything else but towing it with supply in it. You are full of crap. I had mine for 10 years.
Sorry you had a bad experience. I have not been on the 10 foot model, my Porta-Bote is 12 foot long so maybe it is more stable. I have several videos of my PB in action on my RUclips channel from the Florida Keys through the Southeast US and I will post one at the end of this comment. As far as usefulness of the PB it is just as good and stable as any 12 foot boat I have been on and I have been on quite a few. Boats of this size don't have the weight or beam to give you cruise ship stability. The floor does flex and this is an advantage when it comes to rough water because the flex cushions the pounding you would get from waves compared to a traditional non-flexing hull. If you have the ability to pull a boat on a trailer then there are better options out there. In my case I pull a camper and my state does not allow double towing (boat behind a camper) and the PB is the best solution I could find to get me out on the water fishing with the option of having a gas motor, trolling motor, or paddling or all three as options for propulsion. Here is one video of the PB being used in the Florida Keys: ruclips.net/video/_kc1QGKYTy4/видео.html
@@VikingExpeditions I see your point. I could not do that in mine. I towed mine behind my sailboat in the San Juans Islands, Washington. I, and several others, could not move from one boat to another safely. I then purchased a canoe and used that because it was more stable. Anyway, still like your vids. Take care.
Bill, are you a very chubby person? I'm 177 pounds and can get in and out of my 12' pretty easilly. I can stand up and move around in it in the water too.
I don't know what current prices are but you can find that information on the company's website along with information on where to buy it. This is the link portabote.com/ Thanks for your question and for watching.
What a concise common sense explanation of the boat, no padding or classless self promotion 👍👍👍
Thank you! If you have any other questions let me know.
@@VikingExpeditionswhat’s the max hp the 14 ft can take
Best porta bote video out there. Ten thousand thumbs up!!!!!
Thank you!
I have had my Porta-Bote for almost 12 years. It is older than the one you are showing so some of the bits and pieces are a little different. I love it for many of the reasons you listed in your video. The two large ABS plastic seats failed due to kids jumping on them from the dock. I built two new hollow box seats from plywood and mahogany, filling the hollow part with foam for added floatation. They're a bit heavier but have stood the test of time, about 7~8 years now. I also re-enforced the transom with two mahogany slats running athwartships and thru bolted to the transom piece at the ends.
To keep the black split pipe on the gunnels from marring big boat topsides I got a piece of 1 & 1/2" (38mm) inside diameter nylon re-enforced water tubing and cut a split in it full length. This easily fit over the gunnel pipe and is fastened from the inside ONLY to the black gunnel pipe with round head SS sheet metal screws thru the nylon and into the black tube. Did this about two years ago, still working fine.
Another problem I had was with the folding plastic transom piece that is stapled into the boat. Due to age and flexing this piece cracked on its centerline about 6"(150mm) up from the bottom of the dingy and for about 4"(100mm) along the bottom joint to the hull on each side of the centerline. Sealing this crack proved to be a very difficult task for a number of years since nothing I tried in the sealing / adhesive range sticks to the plastic from which the boat is made. UNTIL I stumbled upon a solution. Just for kicks I applied a a small patch(50mm X 50mm) of good old fashioned contact cement(NOT the water based stuff) to the surface of the plastic transom piece in an out of the way place and let it thoroughly dry out. Amazing! This contact cement stuck like glue(pun intended) to the plastic. In fact it stuck so well I found it near impossible to remove the test patch.
BUT what really make this work to repair the cracks is...wait for it...cotton fiber. This is the stuff that is sold in most any grocery store in the baby goods or cosmetic section. Cotton balls would also work. It tales bit of fiddling but works in much the same way a fiberglass re-enforced plastic like boats. Many do not know but natural cotton fibers are quite strong. And they remain flexible along with the contact cement. I found that applying a base coat of the contact cement first and letting it go tack free is a good way to start. Then tear up the cotton into smallish pieces and stick it into place with more contact cement. Anyone experienced with applying fiberglass mat and resin will get this method pretty fast. BUT the cotton fibers and contact cement do not behave quite the same way as f/g and resin. The cotton will "wet out" just like f/g but the whole thing is quite a sticky mess to get it to go and stay where you want it. Hence "It tales bit of fiddling". I built up a number of layers doing this and made something like cotton rope applied parallel to and inside the cracks and applied more cotton over the top of this. To insure good adhesion I overlapped onto the surface about 50mm beyond the cracks. So far, something over one year now, this repair has held up 100% leak free.
Thanks for sharing your experience. The centerline crack that you talk about in the bladder of the transom is just about the only Achilles heel that I know of with the Porta-Bote. It appears from what I gather on owner Facebook pages a problem that happens to some boats over time. The manufacturer recommends at least once a year to treat the whole boat with Armor-All. I do this on my boat plus about every 3 months I spray down the entire transom with Armor-All. My boat is only 3.5 years old but so far I have had no problems with this crack.
My boat, being it is newer, has a different design on the transom than yours. It is known as the Alpha-Series and features a center board that runs from the back seat to the transom and provides more rigidity than previous models (you may know this but I am adding this for people that are not familiar with Porta-Bote). This center board is supposed to help with the tear that develops on some transoms and is also gives more speed due to less hull flexing (manufacturers claims).
@@VikingExpeditions I carry my dingy on my sailboat and for a large number of years I have been far away from Armor-All.
I am pretty sure that the crack in my transom has been exacerbated by carrying filled 5 gal water jugs in the dingy. I carried three aft and three forward the center thwart(6 X 45 lbs.). This and two adults and a load of groceries is a testament to the sturdiness and carrying capacity of the Porta-Boat.
Mine is the 10' version and it is great. It is used on a nearly daily basis to ferry me to shore and back as I live on a mooring.
What a great Presentation...Not that you were tryin to sell the boat...Just a great unbiased review..THX
Your review is the best I’ve seen yet! As someone else commented my thought exactly very concise no extra fluff or agenda straight to the point super helpful. I really like your plastic ammunition can for an aerator. I was trying to think how to use a set of three of the same type of ammo cans in a plastic molded tray same as the one you have there. Thanks for the great idea I’m gonna do this.
Also using a kayak paddle is awesome. I actually used one of my oars for paddling from the front similar to how guys do on paddle boards. Your method looks a lot better. I found it very difficult to get anywhere far well using the supplied oars in there oar locks was pretty slow going. It works for short distances. Going to get myself a kayak paddle now.still have mine after multiple cross country relocations break ups with women etc. It’s now over 20 years old almost like new with just a little bit of scuffs on the bottom. Was really easy to remove barnacles when I was in Sarasota Florida on Phillippi Creek. Now in a freshwater area in the Northeast. Recently looked online to see which generation 2001 9.5 foot model is Gen IV (4). Very happy with it. Was told multiple times I shouldn’t move with it or that I should throw it in the garbage. Almost sold it, but happy it’s still around and functional. Haven’t tested since this past winter it was out side along wall in freezing temps. The transom is made out of wood that looks like it was impregnated with oil base sealant black in color. Being legally blind I only run it with a trolling motor that way I can hear what’s around. I did try running it with a couple of old 1987 Sears game fisher 3.5 hp two stroke engines. Was really loud like a swarm of hornets. Slow is smooth for me smooth is fast in my case. Excellent boat I can carry it folded up by myself. Did construct a PVC trailer using old children’s bicycle wheels years ago, but left it behind. Easier just to take it to the shoreline folded open it up get everything ready to go. Biggest issue is deep cycle battery now have to replace it. Thinking about going lithium.
Thank you!
Blind guy in a boat, only in America I tell you
When you're traveling you're doing it in style & you've got all the bases covered...Great Review!!
Thank you!
I have a 10 footer with cedar plank flooring in the middle. Powered by an electric troll motor and Yamaha 2.5hp OB. Awesome set up for near shore fishing.
Superb, objective and honest analysis of this excellent little boat.
I was going to buy a Porta-Bote, but then discovered Alpacka Raft Packrafts, expedition quality boats that are person portable, as they weigh five pounds and pack to the size of a sleeping bag.
This perfectly suited my intended usage and I have two Packrafts, both from Alpacka Raft.
I notice your travel trailer, and I was hugely impressed at first sight of this manufacturer's interpretation of the type.
Clever design abounds and they've done a great job of condensing it down to maximise it for travelling, yet having a spacious, airy, well equipped travel cabin when you arrive at your camp location.
Thanks for watching! I own an Alpacka Mule. Alpacka makes a great product and I use mine for backcountry lakes and whitewater fishing trips. For the trips that I have to cover distance, go up-current or into the wind I like the capability of the Portabote to add a motor. You can't play golf well with one golf club and boating/fishing is the same way, no one boat covers all situations. In my case I have 7 different watercraft from Bay Boats to pack rafts.
Great video,relaxed and informative!
Thanks!
Awesome review and presentation...thanks for sharing!
Nice review. I have an older 8'6" Porta-bote that I had to replace the transom on as it was a leaky mess. Otherwise it has been a good little dinghy for my 27' sailboat. The bottom now looks like warm death over cold peas, but has yet to spring a leak. I have taken it places where no inflatable dinghy would dare go, and as a bonus no self respecting thief would ever steal it.
Mines not even a year old and it has collected some of those experience marks...lol.
What year is your porta bote sir? They said they fixed this issue on the newer ones
@@jeremydelarosa7605 - I can't say for certain, but it's probably twenty years old now.
Would be interested to know what steps you took to fix or replace your transom in boat.
Mine is from 2001 surprisingly the website manufacture says this is a generation four model. 9 1/2 feet in length. I usually just tell people it’s 10 feet. Fits well on my second floor apartment balcony fold it up flat against the railing. Use exclusively now with a 50 pound thrust trolling motor. Anybody tried lithium batteries. My deep cycle no good after 10 years.
Mill Cove....
Quarantine Island.
Great trout spot....
I’m probably going to get the same setup as you. Had one before with Old Honda, back when I was a beginner, had several boats up to 26 foot CC,,but now getting older and weaker, going backwards, but still good.
Very detailed review. Answered all my questions. Thank you!
I own a Porta Bote (10.5') and I love it -- but I personally find those seats very uncomfortable to sit on for hours. Each time I tried it my back was angry at me after about two hours. There is an easy solution, however. I put a regular old canvas camp chair sideways in between the rear and center seats and it is comfortable to sit in for hours on end (and also makes it easier to work the engine, because I'm sitting sideways in the boat. I can troll for hours with my feet up on the side of the boat.) It's also the perfect height. I tried a duck blind chair first and it was much too high. The camp chair is an effective, comfortable and cheap solution for anyone who finds the hard plastic seats unbearable or wants to sit sideways at the perfect distance and angle to work the engine tiller. :)
Thanks for your suggestion. I just sit on a boat cushion and can fish for hours. My wife uses a canoe seat that straps to the seats to hold it in place (cost around $40). Porta-Bote sells a high-back seat but I opted out of that because it cost $169 US each.
Thanks for making this vid - it helped a ton when I was deciding between the PB and a kayak. I do a lot of ocean fishing here in SF, CA and have a video on my channel of me taking it in the ocean if anyone is wondering about its seaworthiness ;)
That boat is durable and stable and safe as for me and my two little boy
Best yet! Thank you for your hard work.
Thank you!
Nice video sir, even on how to keep them shrimp Lively. 😀
Good production value and review! I've had my Porta-Bote for close to 20 years and love it. While they've added several improvements (most notably the built-in transom) I won't be parting with mine for a while. I liked your comments about your outboard and will definitely keep that in mind when it's time for an upgrade, which will be soon.
Wow 20 years that is great! Have you put anything on the hull to help preserve it? I put ArmorAll on mine but I want to learn from someone who has had their boat for as long as you have had it. Thanks!
No, I've never used anything to coat the hull. The seams are what I initially had the most concern about, as those would be the toughest to repair. But they are still as tight as ever. (When I bought it, I think I read that Porta-Bote tested the seams at 20,000 opens and closures. But that wouldn't have accounted for any aging or deterioration over time.)
The two areas which show the most age are the seats and transom. The plastic around where the moving metal joins with the seats has chipped away and I've repaired it with Mighty Putty. And the layers of the transom plywood are beginning to separate. Eventually, I will have to cut a new transom. (This is the old version with the removable transom. They are internal and part of the folding unit now.)
As I mentioned in my earlier posting, my next purchase will probably be a new outboard. The 4HP Johnson I have now is good but not great. I'd like a little more power. Finally, in case you don't know, there is a Porta-Bote Fanclub page on Facebook, which has a lot of good advice about maintanence and repair.
John Walters I would stay away from Armor all on plastic and rubber. It had a bad reputation back in the day, and a lot of tire warranties were denied from armor-all causing cracks in the sidewalks Topcoat or 303 protectant will work much better. More expensive, but it’s worth it.
This was my first boat, with 5th 4 stroke Nissan. I could carry it + 5 people in midsize sedan :) Added wooden insert into the bow as the Harald the Dutchman portatboter did. Sold it to an RV guy for almost the same money, and used the outboard on a sailboat. I even tried to sail the thing and bought the sailing kit for it, but its not worth it. Great boat though
I'm glad I did not get the sail kit but I feel as though I wasted money on that flimsy looking Bimini top which looks like it could fly away in the slightest Breeze.
You answered all my questions, now I just need a roof rack for my F250. I already have a 6hp motor and a couple SUP paddles. Have you ever jumped out of it and climbed back in? I wonder if a ladder would work, I like snorkeling
John great review. Thank you. I have the exact same boat and motor but have experienced one issue that seems to be unheard from the factory. As the boat accelerates the point of hull drag seems to move forward thus pulling the front of the boat down. This forward point of drag makes the boat very unstable unless you are going straight. If you attempt to turn prior to slowing down it goes into the turn too quickly and feels like it is about to roll over. I have my fuel forward as you do and have played with different trim adjustments on the motor with no real difference in performance. I watch the factory videos and I see the boat moving very quickly and maneuvering without problems. So, when I have spoken to the factory they are not aware of what I am describing. Have you experienced anything like I am describing? Generally I am very happy with the boat and as long as I keep the speed down it is alright. But I definitely can't run the motor up to its top speed.
The effect of the front of the boat going down and the back of the boat rising is common as it goes on plane. On my 12 foot boat with the 6 HP Suzuki this usually happens around 9 to 10 MPH. As the back of the transom rises less of your prop area is going to be under water and this is what causes loss of steering control. What I do is steer by leaning or moving my body weight a little like a surfer would. Once you do it a few times it becomes second nature and you don't even think about it. If the wind is blowing hard and I need to make a turn I will slow down as I make the turn to get more bite on the prop. I hope this helps and thanks for your question and for watching.
Thanks, I will try this technique next time out.
Great review - thanks!! I just purchased a porta boat, did not test it yet, so this will come handy
Hope you enjoy it!
@@VikingExpeditions an older gentleman is wanting to sell an 2008 model for $2500 and is claiming it will hold up to a 10hp motor, 14 ft, this I suspect is not true but he is willing to set it up and show me,
@@schoc13 I personally do not have any experience with the 14 foot model. From posts that I have read others have put a 10 HP motor on the 14 foot model. The 14 foot model does have some additional bracing that the other models do not have so a 10 HP may work. The advice I would have for you on this is to go and try it out. These are the things I would be concerned about: The 14 foot model is heavy, will you be able to move it around like you want; A four stroke 10 HP motor is heavy will you be able to move it around like you want: With a 10 HP motor you will have to carry an external fuel tank. The last thing I would check out on any used Porta Bote is the lower center of the transom, this is the one weak point of the boat were it can leak, if it is cracked do not buy the boat. This crack can be fixed but from reading lots of posts on the matter it is a lot of work and headaches. Most PB never get this crack but it is something you want to look for. Good luck in finding the right boat.
@@VikingExpeditions thanks for the reply! the elderly gentlemen have agreed to assemble and run it with my 9.9hp motor, they said they've run with their 9hp motor plenty of times with 2adults and a dog but 2k for a 2008 model sounds like a lot? but they do have some extras included like wheels 2 swivel back seats and perforated floor mats
@@VikingExpeditions also do you know where I would get wing braces for the transom if needed?
Would like to have seen you place motor on/off the boat.
Sorry I did not have that information covered. It is really easy to put the motor on. Usually I put the boat in the water next to shore with the transom end in at least 6 inches of water and then just put the motor on the transom and clamp it down. Its a very easy one man operation. One other tip is to tilt the motor before you take it off, this way you don't have to be in very deep water to take it off or put it on. Thanks for watching!
@@VikingExpeditions ok thanks for sharing your information & for your kind reply.
Very Nice Video! I just bought a 10 ft Porta Bote with a Suzuki 6HP Outboard. What size is your aux fuel tank and who manufactures it? Thanks
I use an Attwood 3 gallon gas tank. As far as tank connectors I went with the Attwood Suzuki connector part # 14527-6 (screws into top of tank). On the fuel hose side I bought the Attwood Chrysler/Force/Suzuki connector (part #8885-6). My fuel line is 10 foot long so I can put my tank in front of the middle seat for better weight balance. Be sure you get a good quality fuel line that is ethanol resistant. I never run ethanol fuel in mine but just in case you do. Last piece of advice don't go on the cheap end for your fuel line primer bulb. I have not had good luck with off brand fuel primer bulbs (don't buy Attwood for this part). I personally recommend the Mercury primer bulbs. Thanks for watching and let me know if you have any other questions.
@@VikingExpeditions Thank you very much for the information.
Great informative video, thanks.
FYI...
Putting one half twist in the roof straps will stop the straps from "humming" at high speed. A flat strap vibrates in the wind. A strap with a twist doesn't.
Dear Sir, many thanks for the video. Im thinking in purchase a combination like yours: 12" Porta Bote plus a 6HP outboard Suzuki motor. Greatings from Portugal.
Let me know if you have any questions and thanks for watching. Good luck with your decision.
Hey great video , how do you transport engine ? I’m guessing you have to keep it up-right
? Even though the Suzuki engine has better design for transport, do you still get a gas smell in your Jeep? This would probably be a good video idea if you’re up for it ! Thanks for sharing!
I store the engine on the side where the throttle handle is on top of a seat cushion to keep the head of the motor as high as I can to keep water from flowing back into the head of the motor which can cause corrosion . I had this motor for about a year and i had to take it in for warranty service because one of my valves was corroded. I was told that there was a design flaw with the motor and that when they repaired my motor they put in a new part that allowed the water to evaporate better so the valve would not corrode. The engine itself does not smell of gas fumes after use (good design). I use an external 3 gallon fuel tank and I pull the fuel hose from the engine when I am about 2 minutes from the ramp and that burns most of the gas from the carburetor but even when I do not do this the engine does not smell. The fuel line does smell and i am working on a solution for that like putting it into some air tight container but have concerns on the gas fumes being ignitable in a small contained area. With the windows open in the Jeep the smell of gas dissipates in under 2 minutes so it is not noticeable and running the AC or heat vents any smell outside the cabin. I did a six week 5,700 mile trip from Florida to Michigan fishing dozens of lakes, rivers and creeks and the gas smell was not a problem. My 3 gallon gas tank is one of the newer EPA vent-less tanks and that does not smell either. I do try and park the jeep in the shade and I place a boat cushion on top of the tank to keep it cool. At the 40 second mark in this video you can see how I pack my Jeep Commander, the motor and gas tank are under my 5 tackle bags ruclips.net/video/GqhC5iSHLg8/видео.html Thanks for watching and let me know if you have any other questions.
Top video mate, certainly different to my little tinny 👍
Enjoy my friend..
Thanks for watching! A lot of fish have been caught out of those tinnys.
John, what type travel trailer is that? We have a large Winnebago bullet type trailer, and put our Hobie Revolution 13 fishing kayaks on a rack on the tow vehicle. We fish a large lake called Eagle Lake, here in Northern California. Eagle Lake Trout, are red meat, similar to Salmon. Average fish is about four pounds. We filet, smoke, and vacuum pack our catch while we are there for a month or so each year. There is a man who fishes the lake in a port a bote, and small motor, and he is pretty successful. The lake can be very dangerous, as it is very large, and the wind kicks up swells that can be 4, coming from all directions. I have been caught in two storms in a canoe and paddles, and almost went down. We switched to kayaks in 2016. The kayaks feel a lot safer, when conditions deteriorate, and they can within 15 minutes. I use leaded line on one side, and a small down-rigger on the other side. Both methods are equally productive.
The Travel Trailer I have is called a Trail Manor. The model type is a 3326 which they don't make anymore. They have other models but they are a little smaller. Enjoyed your fishing report on Eagle Lake. I purchased a down-rigger for the portabote and it is nice when you need to fish deep. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Wow,are there other recommendations for folding boats
There are other options out there just do a Google search on "Who makes folding boats." What I did when I was making my decision was write down the features that were most important to me and see what manufacturer's boat best fit my needs. I also searched for owner Facebook pages to see how people were using the boats and if they were happy with the product. I put in a lot of time on the analysis and I will have to say after 3 years of ownership of the Porte-Bote I am happy with my decision. I've used the boat from the topical waters of the Florida Keys to exploring lakes and rivers in Wisconsin and Michigan. I've had zero problems with the boat. Good luck with your search and if you find something better let me know I would like to check it out. Thanks for watching and for your question!
Great review. Is that the Suzuki short shaft model you are using? Cheers
Very interesting choice! I wander if you could make a video tour of your trailer. Cheers !
Thanks for watching! My trailer is a 3326 Trail Manor a model they don't make anymore. Since I bought my camper the company has changed hands twice so I can't speak to current quality or customer service. I've had my model for over 10 years and have been very happy with it. Set up is pretty quick and only takes less than 5 minutes to set up verses a camper that does not collapse. Advantages of this type of camper is that the hard walls keep you bone dry in hard rains verses a traditional pop-up. Being that it collapses you can store it in your own garage instead of storing it at a lot and paying around $100 a month. Tows and tracks well in the wind. I probably won't be making a video on it soon but here is a link to the companies web site: www.trailmanor.com/product-line . They also have a owners forum.
Why the Suzuki, not Yamaha, Honda, Tohatsu, etc./all? And thanks for posting.
I bought the Suzuki because it was the lightest motor in the 6HP class at the time. I also had never owned one before and wanted to give it a try. On paper the Suzuki looked like a good choice due to features like the shallow water drive, separate oil filter and corrosion protection. Interesting thing happened to me, with less than a year on the motor one of the valves rusted and had to be replaced under warranty. I've owned outboards for close to 50 years and this is the first time I have ever had this problem. After checking on owner forums I found others that had had this problem. I won't say that it was a common problem but there were enough other people with the problem to cause me concern. I have used the motor now for over 2 years since the repair with no other problems. The mechanic who repaired my motor told me the rusting problem was a design flaw with venting moisture out of the motor and the new parts that he put into the motor were redesigned to fix the problem and keep it from reoccurring. For the Porta-Bote knowing what I know now I would probably stick with the Suzuki.
My second choice in a 6HP motor would be Yamaha. I have always had great luck with Yamahas, one lasted me over 26 years of heavy use. I did not buy the 6 HP Yamaha because it was several hundred dollars more than the Suzuki and it weighed more. If the Suzuki had not proved to me over the last 2 years that it was reliable I would gladly pay the extra money for the Yamaha but in this case I am glad I have the extra money to do something fun with. From my experience you can never go wrong with a Yamaha.
I am not a big fan of Hondas. My friends that have had them found them to be unreliable and none of them bought a second Honda. If you are in the middle of nowhere if can be hard to find a mechanic or parts to fix them. Hondas are usually heavier than other motors in their class.
Tohatsu makes a good motor and in the under 25 HP market they do a lot of manufacturing for other brands like Mercury. The only negative that I know about Tohatsu is that they can be harder to start in cold weather than other brands.
Between Suzuki, Yamaha, Tohatsu and Mercury I don't think you can make a bad choice. Choose a motor that you can get service on in your area. By the way I've talked to several mechanics across all brands mentioned and none of them like working on small 6 HP motors. They find them hard to work on and temperamental. So to me this is even more reason to get a motor that has a reputation for being reliable. In case you are mechanical I have changed the oil, filter, gear oil and removed the carburetor for ultrasonic cleaning by myself on the Suzuki without any challenges. In my opinion the Suzuki was designed so you can work on it easily without having to move stuff out of the way or use special tools.
Good luck with your decision and thanks for watching.
@@VikingExpeditions Thank you for taking the time--and very good info. Shocked though by your report on Honda--I had always heard the opposite. Then again, they don't even make a six. Thanks again.
I've had small fiberglass boats , polyethylene Kayaks of all types and inflatable kayaks , but these Portabotes. Material wise ...was super durable. The plastic used in these boats is. A 1 quality
HI! It seems like my 9.9 motor would be so heavy for this. Do you think you would trust this with a 9.9 hp. One more question. Do you know if you went out on a windless day but you encountered other boat making waves would you think that is doable?
Personally I would not recommend a 9.9 HP motor on a 12 foot Porta-Bote. Some people have put 9.9 two stroke motors on them but these motors weigh more than the manufacturer recommends for the transom of the boat. For your next question the 12 foot Porta-Bote will handle boat waves as good or even better than the average 12 foot boat. The reason for this is the boat has some flexibility that absorbs the energy of waves better than a rigid boat. The key to going over or through waves with a Porta-Bote is to keep your bow up either by giving power to the motor to rise up the bow or by putting weight to the back of the boat to keep the bow up. I've owned a lot of small boats and the Porta-Bote has been one of the best as far a sea worthiness. If winds or seas are high no small boat should be out in them. Thanks for watching and for your question.
@@VikingExpeditions Thank you! That is the answer I was hoping for. I appreciate you help!
How much does the boat cost.Will they ship to Calgary Alberta Canada 🇨🇦?
I don't know what the current prices are on the boats. I suggest you go to the Porta-bote website and they have a price list there. I also believe that there is a dealer in Canada that carries them, again you can find this out on their website. Another option is to buy used, check Facebook Marketplace or the Porta-Bote owners Facebook page. Later this summer I will be fishing over in Nova Scotia. I am flying so I will not be bringing a boat. Good luck with your search!
Dear John, I like you video. I have also a 12 foot and i'm living in Holland and i'm fishing in Almere near A'dam.
I was in Amsterdam last year. How is the fishing where you are at? Thanks again for watching!
Dear John, it also good fishing in Amsterdam. You can look on You Tube and try "vissen in Amsterdam"
Are you able to use the kayak paddle to paddle against the wind? I'm just wondering if I can ditch the oars and just go to a kayak paddle for a backup if my engine fails. I have a 10' Porta Bote and I love it, but space is at a premium.
From my experience ditch the oars and use the kayak paddle. I used my oars once when I did a on the water test between them and the kayak paddle. The kayak paddle won by a long shot. If you do use a kayak paddle you will have to sit in the front bow seat, it does not work well from the back of the boat. The other advantage of the kayak paddle is that it is quieter and that is important if you are fishing. See if you can borrow a kayak paddle or rent one from an outfitter to try it out before you buy. Walmart sells kayak paddles and sometimes has good quality paddles for a low cost. If you paddle a lot I would suggest getting a good quality light weight carbon fiber 2 piece paddle. Buy a paddle of the proper length, should be as tall as the tip of your fingers when you hold them as far as you can above your head. I would also get a paddle with a wide blade, this will give you more thrust (pulling power through the water). It takes more energy on your part to use a wide blade paddle but it pays off for the Porta-Bote application. If you have any other questions please let me know.
@@VikingExpeditions Thanks for the reply and all this great information - much appreciated!
We bought that same motor in 2017 from the manufacturer of your folding boat. We ended up getting a lemon motor. That will not start after it has been stored for a few weeks. The exhaust valve sticks either open or shut, due to some manufacturing defect. The recommended Suzuki authorized shop replaced everything in the valve train, and the cylinder head, and we still have the same issues. It’s a nice motor when it runs, but I don’t think I’d ever by another Suzuki.
I had the same valve issue with my 2018 Suzuki after I had the motor for 11 months. It was repaired under warranty and for the last 8 months it has worked perfectly. I was told what caused the problem is that the crankcase was not vented properly and that they engineered a new part that vented the moister out of the area so I would not have the problem again. This new part is supposedly on all new motors starting after 2018. I got this answer from my authorized Suzuki mechanic who got it from Suzuki. My first new Evinrude 9.9 HP that I purchased in 1974 was a brand new design that Evinrude first introduced that year, likewise I don't know the exact time frame that Suzuki introduced the DF6A but it was a relatively new design in 2018. My Evinrude when it was new would not idle properly due to a timing issue and spark plugs. After a year Evinrude figured it out and fixed the problem, 46 years later I still own the motor and it still runs great. Hopefully Suzuki has the problem fixed. Until I get some more time on my motor the jury is still out if I will buy another Suzuki. For the Portabote the 6 HP Suzuki is a good match based on its light weight and shallow running capabilities but it needs to be reliable. Over the years I have owned Suzuki, Johnsons, Evinrude, Mercury, and Yamaha. This Suzuki is the first motor ever to give me a problem in the block with corrosion. The best motor as far as reliability from my experience is Yamaha based on the 3 motors from them that I have owned (15 HP 2 stk, 90 HP 2 stk and 250 HP 4 stk). The Yamaha 90 HP lasted me 26 years before I sold the boat.
Is it possible that while your motor was sitting waiting to be serviced that some fuel could have gone bad or varnished your carburetor. The jets are very small, about the size of a pin opening and can clog. Before I took my motor into the dealer I cleaned my carburetor in an ultrasonic cleaner so it was like brand new when the dealer did the valve repair. I also use only non-ethanol gas. Thanks for your comment and I hope you get your problem fixed soon so you can get back on the water.
John, I bought my motor from the same people that manufacture your folding boat. They are located in Mountain View, CA, and said they have never heard of the sticking valve problem, and won’t give me a new motor. They told me to take it to their recommended Suzuki service center, who tried tried to tell me that we used the wrong gas, and the carburetor was bad, which would not be covered under warranty. We told them no, we use the recommended fuel stabilizer, run the engine out of gas, and drain the float bowl. I already knew the valve was seized, and the push rod was bent. Later that day, they called back with the correct diagnosis and repaired it under warranty. It worked for the next four times we used it, for a total of nine hours. Then we stored it for a few months, and we have no compression due to a stuck open exhaust valve. I was unable to free it. When they repaired it, they didn’t say anything about a crankcase vent. It has to go back into the shop on April 6, and I’ll tell him about your engine. Ours was purchased in late 2017, and is supposed to be a 2018 model. Where is this crankcase vent located?
@@rodgraff1782 Unfortunately I don't know where the new part is in the engine. When I asked the mechanic he had a hard time describing it to me. The clearest information that I got from him is that it was a known defect and the new part was supposed to take care of the problem of moister being trapped around the valve. Since I had my repair I have had the motor out probably over a dozen times, I have no idea on how many hours. This did not apply to my problem but it is very important not to let the foot of the motor get higher than the block of the motor, if this happens water can get into the block and cause corrosion. I avoid the back-flow of water from the foot to the block by first letting the motor drain in a vertical position and then put a boat cushion under the cowling when I store it in my Jeep. At my house I keep it in a climate controlled room on a motor stand. Please keep me posted if Suzuki takes care of your issue. As of right now I only know of one other person who has had this issue besides us.
John, thank you so much for this information. When I called Suzuki, in Brea, California, and told them about my problems, I also asked if there were any recalls, or service bulletins on this problem with the 2018 DFAS2. They told me no. I also asked Sandy and Cindy, who are at Port a Bote in Mountain View CA. And they said they had never heard of this problem. I thought to myself, I can’t be the only one, so I checked some online forums, and there are several other DF6A owners who are having valves stick, if the engine is stored for more than a few weeks. Some even ended up with bent valves or broken push rods from trying to start the engine with a stuck open exhaust valve. I also experienced a bent push rod from a stuck open valve. I thought to myself, it has to be a factory defect, because the shop replaced both tappets, push rods, rocker arms, valves, valve seals, and cylinder head with new guides. I am going to call Suzuki and tell them that you were told there is a modification available that vents the moisture out of the area of the valves. When I’m finished with the engine, I run it out of fuel and drain the float bowl. I then put it on a hangar at the rear of my trawler, and run fresh water thru it with the flush nipple they supplied me with the motor. I wonder if water could be backing up into the engine, as you are not supposed to run it while doing this flush procedure. As long as I use the engine often, it will work, but if it sits too long, the exhaust will freeze up. I even tried to leave the engine on top dead center on the compression stroke, so both valves would be closed, and not let moisture in, but then it bent the push rod, when the engine was cranked. I had a slip neighbor, who had the same engine, which was a little older, and he never had this problem, so it does not affect all engines. I might want to talk to the shop who fixed your engine and knows how to do the update. Can you supply a part number for the update? My engine is supposed to go back in April 6, but it may be cancelled because of the Covid 19. Thanks ROD
It was really odd when I went to pick up my motor after it was fixed. The mechanic could not remember exactly what he had done to the motor as to what he had replaced. The only thing he could tell me was that he had replaced a part on the motor with the new designed one that would vent moisture away from the valve. When I went to the office to get my paperwork on what had been done I was told there was none because it was warranty work. Before this I have always been given paperwork on all work when I have taken my motors in for other manufacturers. Sorry I don't have part numbers for you or more information. I did reach out to Suzuki of America for more information at the time of my problem but they never got back to me. I did talk to other Suzuki mechanics besides the one at the dealer that did my work and they did tell me that they had seen issues with the motors rusting from the inside out.
After reading your last post I thought of something else. Before I had my first problem with the valve I used to run my motor dry of gas. Since I have had it repaired I have not run it dry. I am wondering if by leaving gas in the system it does something to reduce the effects of moisture. This is just an idea, I have no facts to base it on.
Is there anyway of putting a deck on this for like
Bow fishing?
Absolutely! Several owners have done this for both fishing and bow fishing. What owners have done is take a piece of plywood and cut it to the shape of the bow section from the back of the front seat forward. The back part of the deck is held in place and supported by the front seat and the front part of the deck is supported by metal brackets that hang over the black gunnel rail. The metal brackets are the same ones that are used to hold metal conduit onto walls, they are like a letter "C" with a tail, C_. The C section hangs on the black gunnel rail and the tail section screws into the plywood. Some owners split the deck down the middle with a piano hinge to make it smaller for transport. Other owners to add extra support put wood braces underneath the deck by the grommet holes that are standard in the bow and put bolts with a wing nut through the grommet and wood brace and secure it with a wing nut. Great question and thanks for watching!
They said old porta notes has a flaw of leakage on the transom?
From reading reports on the Porta-Bote Fanclub Facebook page I have seen posts referring to what you are describing. This issue happens in the middle lower transom section where the boat bends when folding. From what I have learned this issue only happens to a small percentage of boats that are around 10 years old. Many boats that are over 20 years old have not had this problem. The issue can be fixed by the factory if you return it to them for repair. The boat comes with a 10 year warranty that declines each year by 1/10. If you did not want to go through the hassle of sending the boat back there are other options for repair. Some owners have used either Flex Seal tape or paste. Others have used RV rubberized roofing materials to fix the leak. My boat is only 2 years old and has been all over the US and is still like new with no leaks. I do put "Armor All" as recommended by the manufacturer to keep the plastic flexible. A folding boat is not for everyone. If you can pull a boat on a trailer and have a place to store it get a traditional boat. With me I travel all over the United States pulling a camper so i can not pull a boat trailer so the folding boat is a great fit. Because of the folding boat I have been able to catch bone fish in the Keys and muskies in Minnesota along with seeing things I could not get to without a boat so the possibility of a leak is outweighed by the benefits of the boat. Thank you for your question and if I missed anything please let me know.
Awesome insight I appreciate that. You like it in tough water?
@@jeremydelarosa7605 It handles rough water just as good as any other 12 foot boat maybe a little better due to the flex in the hull. I've had it in 30 MPH winds and 1.5 foot seas and it did just fine but I would not recommend any 12 foot boat if you were going to be in conditions that were going to be much worse.
@@VikingExpeditions good to know sir! That's awesome. Just saw something for sale here in Manitoba, seems like an older model anyways for myself it looks like a good one. For the fishing I do.
Looking to bring a 14 footer like this to Ecuador.
Nice Trailmanor travel trailer. May I ask what model it is?
It is a 3326. We have owned it for over 10 years and have been very happy with it.
@@VikingExpeditions Oh my! It is the exact model that I am looking for. It looked longer than the 31 ft models, but I wasn't sure. They don't make the 33 ft models anymore. If and when you decide to sell, please let me know. Thanks, John.
I suppose the setting up and tearing down more than makes up for the gas saved and less sway because of the lower profile?
@@oldporkchops Not planning on selling anytime soon. This model is ideal for long term trips. They tract straight as an arrow and do great in cross-winds. Set up and take down adds about 2 minutes more than a traditional hard-side trailer. We looked to replace this trailer 2 years ago and could not find anything that matched our needs better so we decided to keep it. Good luck with your search and thanks for watching and your question.
@@VikingExpeditions Thank you so much for the affirmation that they are quality trailers. I'll continue my search for the 33 ft ones after what you said about them being appropriate for long trips. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with TM. Thanks, John.
Love your review but I have to ask what you did for a rod holder
Hi Joe, I use a Cabela's metal clamp on base and into that I put a Scotty's rod holder. They make plastic clamps but I had one break with a big fish, I have had no problems with the aluminum ones. Here are the links for both items: www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Aluminum-Clamp-on-Rod-Holder-Mounting-Base/701652.uts?productVariantId=1215598&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=02905840&rid=20&ds_rl=1246549&ds_rl=1246552&ds_rl=1252242&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoM_58vCn4QIVR16GCh3O7wqcEAQYASABEgKf7_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds and www.amazon.com/Scotty-279-BK-Baitcaster-Spinning-without/dp/B004O0DR48/ref=asc_df_B004O0DR48/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312061152211&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17666612011321194548&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011541&hvtargid=pla-557384830023&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62138615036&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312061152211&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17666612011321194548&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011541&hvtargid=pla-557384830023
Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for your question and for watching!
Great video! We've seen those used by sailors but never considered it's applications otherwise. Good thinking! Hope it's a fish catchin' machine for ya!
Great video!
Thanks!
Where I can buy it.? Thanks :)
Check out Portabote's website for prices, I can't help you because I do not work for the company. You can also check out the owner's Facebook page for used boats for sale.
Napping on the Florida Waters in a boat like that=🐊🐊
HAAA LOL. i thought the same thing lol.
Loading the boat over the SUV roof rack and securing it takes not less time than the boat assembly. The straps do not hold the boat reliably enough. I had to make own rectangular roof rack from the 2" PVC pipes and secure the boat with П- bolts and two wood bars. It became much safer and boat loading and securing takes about 15 min, and unloading even faster. And 3 min is hardly enough to put the single bench in (unless a team of people assists you).
Could i put an electric motor on?
You can put a trolling motor either on the rear transom or if you buy the optional front trolling motor mount you can mount it up front. I have mine mounted up front so I can troll along shorelines and fish.
@@VikingExpeditions 👍
How much $ is a boat like this?? Thanks..
In the United States they sell currently for around $2,500 from www.Porta-bote.com for the 12 foot 6 inch model. You can also find them used on social media sites and the Porta-bote owners Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/69668807531/ . If you don't need the convenience of a folding boat there are less costly options out there. For me I pull a camper so I could not pull a boat on a trailer so the Porta-bote was the best option for me. I've owned quite a few small boats and I will say in its size class it performs at the top of its class in rough water. Thanks for your question and for watching!
@@VikingExpeditions thank you so much for the quick reply. Great 👍 info
THANKS. i sold my porta bote in 2010 cause of a women (she still left me 6 months later). i'm going to get me another one and i'll be damned if i get rid of it cause a women tells me too lol.
In my situation after multiple women I choose the boat and the little dog. Dogs love this boat too. Since it’s solid poly propylene their claws won’t puncture. Inflatables and dogs claws or even sharp hooks knives etc. don’t go well together. That’s another plus for this type of polypropylene constructed vessel. Love mine! Similar polypropylene material is woven and used in bullet resistant armor. It’s so stable I can get back into it from the water pulling up on the bow throwing myself in without tipping.
When are you guys give a base price
I don't know what the current prices are on Portabote, I don't work for the company. Check their website and they occasionally have sales too.
Hello sir, do you think my honda crv 2012 roof could support this?
I would check your owners manual to see what it says about how much the racks could support. Otherwise I would consult your local Honda dealer. I hope this helps and thanks for your question.
@@VikingExpeditions thank you sir!
@@timlyg I should have mentioned the boat weighs 87 lbs without the seats. Hope it works out for you.
@@VikingExpeditions oh...ok...that's quite a load...assuming I'll be carrying certain distance after parking in my town. Thanks!
Anyway, I'm still getting my boat cert.
Is this safe for rough sea? Trying to find a collapsible dinghy that's faster to put together
It is a little hard to answer your question because "rough sea" can mean different things to different people. The boat is well made and will handle rough water as well as any 12' boat that I have been in. Its sides are a little higher than other 12' boats which helps reduce spray but in a 40 MPH gust I have asked people to sit on the windward side to keep the wind from catching the surface and blowing the boat over. The floor is flexible so it will give a little so you will not get pounded in rough seas and you can keep up more speed than if you were in a hard hull. I will do anything I can to avoid rough water and bad weather but sometimes you just get caught in it. On one such occasion with this boat I was caught in a thunderstorm on a large lake where I had to make it back to land with 40+ MPH gusts that kicked up a legitimate 2 foot sea and at no time did I feel the boat was going to fail me. These boats also have built in flotation so even if you fill them with water they will float. Many people use these boats on their yachts and sailboats as tenders and they travel around the world. Thank you for watching and I hope I answered your question.
@@VikingExpeditions thank you. Would you consider it a good dinghy for blue water sailing I'm about a year from being ready but the dinghy I got with the boat has seen better days and I'm looking for something that can be by stored easier
@@amelliamendel2227 Amellia this is out of my area of experience and expertise. I am a member of the "Porta-Bote Fan Club" FaceBook page and we have members on there that can give you a more accurate answer. Here is the link to the FaceBook page: facebook.com/groups/69668807531/?ref=group_header Good luck and enjoy your cruise!
I own one, and it yaws a lot when towed with a steep following sea.
Hi, I loved your video. Were those oars and holders included?
When I bought my boat the manufacturer was running a special where they included the oars at no cost. The oars work fine and are made well. Some people who like to oar a lot have added different oar locks that give better performance. For my personal use I like using a kayak paddle. The kayak paddle takes up less space in the boat and in the vehicle during transport and pushes the boat just as fast as oars. Thanks for watching and for your question!
@@VikingExpeditions thank you so much for your reply! I ordered my own 12' porta-bote last week because of your wonderful review. The only hard thing was the logistics to get it sent to my country (Peru). And kind of getting my payment approved. I didn't realized you were kind enough to reply immediately, thanks again! I'll let you know how she handles in coastal waters.
I want to use both gasoline Tohatsu motor 5 hp and small electric trolling motor on my 10' Porta Boat. Two motors are too heavy on the transom, the rear boat end goes too deep, only 4" over the water is left. I decided to put the trolling motor on the bow and made the attachment similar to produced and sold by Porta Boat company. But a motor significantly lowers the bow. I am going to purchase the kayak stabilizers and install it to the bow to provide more buoyancy. Besides, it does not look safe to sit on the small bench closer to the bow at my boat, as the front boat end start to go too deep, may be because the size of the boat.
Your bow being too low to the water must be a factor of it being a 10 foot model VS my 12 footer. With the 12 foot model I have plenty of clearance and the only time I take water over the bow is if I'm in a chop of over a foot and even then if I go diagonal to the waves it's not a problem at all. The other thing that helps with mine is that I have the battery in the back left transom area. I purchased a 10 gauge, 10 ft. electrical wire extension available on Amazon or from other vendors to make the connection. Make sure to use srink wrap to waterproof the electric connections and put dielectric grease on the battery terminals. Good luck and thanks for watching!
Hi John I know you said you had no problem standing in the porta bote but I noticed in the middle of the floor seems to dip down for the bench seats bar to fit into it. Is that uncomfortable or awkaward to stand up on?
If your question is the floor hard to stand on the answer is no in my opinion. Now I have been around boats all my life so I have some sea legs but I bring people out on the boat that have never been on a small boat and they do fine and some have remarked how stable it is. In my opinion this boat is as stable or more stable than your average 12 foot boat (because of the wide beam). If I did not answer your question correctly let me know. I also have videos on my RUclips channel of the boat being used in the Florida Keys in some rougher water and that may give you some additional ideas on how stable the boat is. Thanks for your question.
What rod holders are you using? Great video!
Thank you for watching! I use the Cabelas aluminium clamp mount that fits the Scottys rod holders. Unfortunately I don't think Cabelas sell the aluminium clamp bases anymore. They do sell the nylon clamp bases but I had two failures with these bases when I hooked into big fish so I don't recommend them. You might find the aluminium ones on Ebay used. Thanks for your question and let me know if you have any others.
do the clamp mount rod holders damage the boat at all?
I have used the clamp on rod holders for over 3 years on the Porta-Bote with no damage to the boat whatsoever. My recommendation is to get the metal clamps. Unfortunately the manufacturer that made mine are out of business. I had a plastic Cabela's brand clamp on rod holder that broke when a big red fish hit the rod. The new Scotty's plastic clamp on rod holder looks good but I have not tried it out. If you do have any concern about digging in the clamp on the plastic just insert a small piece of 1/4 inch plywood. I did this for the first year and then I tried without the plywood and found the clamp did no damage, so then I just left the plywood at home. Thanks for your question!
@John Walter Sir I would like to ask if this product is available in the Philippines thanks
Freddie sorry for my late reply, I was traveling on a fishing trip. I called Porta-Bote and they told me they have a dealer in the Philippines and you can contact him at gordoncancio@ravenworkscorp.com Thank you for watching and for your question.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️🇮🇩
Nice lawn to splay the boat out on.
How did you add that cleat to the front after you open the boat? I want to add portable lights there.
The boat is manufactured with a grommet on the bow on both the port and starboard side. To connect the cleat I just took a scrap pressure treated board and cut it to a triangular shape to fit the gap at the bow. Next I drilled a hole through the board and in this hole I placed a stainless steel bolt that was about 1.5 inches long and then put the bolt through the grommet. On the inside of the hull I placed a stainless washer and then a lock washer and I tighten down the whole assembly with a stainless wing nut. If you have any other questions let me know. Thanks for watching and for your question.
Nice Vid...whats the largest HP engine you can mount on it?
On the 12 foot model the mfg recommends that you do not put more than 56 lbs. The Suzuki 6 HP 4 stroke weighs 52 lbs. On the 14 foot model I have heard of people putting up to a 9 HP. With a 6HP the 12 foot model will do around 13 MPH with 1 person and gear. Thanks for watching and for your question.
who much price
We have your Suzuki 6 hp motor but want to take it to Colorado. Any idea how it will run at a higher elevation?
According to the Suzuki 6HP motor owners guide on page 17 you may need to adjust your carburetor and/or change jets in it if you operate the motor above 5000 feet. My suggestion is to call your local Suzuki dealer to get the details of what this adjustment would cost. If your local mechanic is not familiar with high altitude operation I would call a dealer in Colorado. Warning!!!... According to the owner's manual if you operate an outboard motor at low altitude (below 5000 feet) when the engine has been modified for high-altitude operation, the engine could be damaged from overheating so you would need to covert the carburetor back after your trip. Hope you have a great trip!
Thanks for your reply. Now the only problem we have is finding a Suzuki dealer anywhere in our area. Everyone keeps telling us to call Browns Point Marina in New Jersey of all places and we”re in Texas. We called a couple of times and were on hold for over 30 min. Getting very frustrating.
Sounds like a Commercial
So the porte boat website is not a scam?
I don't really understand your comment. All I can say for my use (traveling to remote areas to fish) the boat performs as advertised.
Sir, how much it cost?
I don't know what current prices are. Best place to check is on the porta-bote website.
Howdy...what is the weight capacity ?
Thanks in advance
The weight capacity of the 12 foot boat is 670 pounds. The weight capacity of the 14 foot boat is 807 pounds. Thanks for watching!
where'd you get the transducer mount?
Sorry for the late reply, I got the transducer mount at Cabelas. I replaced all the hardware with stainless steel because I do a lot of boating in salt water. Here is a link to the transducer mount: www.cabelas.com/product/Portable-Transducer-Bracket/699847.uts?productVariantId=1183044&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03174000&rid=20&ds_rl=1246549&ds_rl=1246552&ds_rl=1252242&ds_rl=1252079&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjen4tsnv6AIVDbbICh1P7w3DEAQYASABEgJD-fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Oaring? You mean rowing right?
Great question, thanks to Reader's Digest running column influence on me entitled "It Always Pays to Enrich Your Word Power," oaring or rowing can be used interchangeably. According to the dictionary oaring is the verb form of oar: row; propel with or as with oars.
Where to by it online?
Here is a link to the companies website: www.porta-bote.com/ Thanks for watching!
Price?
They run specials from time to time. The best way to find out current price is to visit their website at www.porta-bote.com/ I don't work for Porta-Bote so I don't keep up on their current pricing. They also sell Suzuki outboards.
Have you tried removing that center seat that you don't need when alone....??? I'd put some 1/2 " ply in that area to stand and move around.... or you might consider making a stick to put into that place that would be fast to remove when you are not doing that 13 mph.... just a thought
Some owners leave out the center seat to give them more open space or to make it easier to move around. Personally I always put in the center seat for many reasons. First the center seat provides extra rigidity to the hull to make it safer to run in rough waters. Many times I have left the dock and the water is smooth but when coming back to the dock I will run into rough water. By having the center seat in it makes the boat better able to handle rough water. I also use the center seat to stand on, clamp my depth finder to and provide a place to safely store my rods and kayak paddle. Thanks for watching and for your question.
What is the cost?
And I noticed you have 666 subscribers. Just an observation.
You would have to contact Porta Bote for the current pricing. It’s been over a year and I really don’t remember what I paid for the boat and I don’t want to steer you wrong. For me, I look at it as being able to go on a boat whenever I want while I’m camping and not have to rent a boat or get a guide. From that standpoint I’ve already paid for the boat many times over. You can also pick up used Porta Bote on craigslist and from the Porta Bote Fan Page on Facebook. Thanks for watching and for your question.
Do you mind sharing approximately what you paid for the boat itself?
The price varies on the size of PB you get. Mine was a 12 foot model and was around $2,300 new when I got it in 2018. Best thing to do is to call Portabote and get a quote. They also run specials at different times of the year. The new boats come with a 10 year warranty. Used boats are also an option, check Craigslist and the Portabote Fanclub Facebook page for listings. With the amount of times I have gone fishing/exploring during my travels I have already saved the cost of the boat and motor in rental fees. Plus I travel to a lot of remote areas where boat rentals are not even an option.
Why aren’t you wearing a PFD - safety first and shouldn’t you be setting an example?
hi foks consider a lono from bote to only have to buy one thing
This boat will spin and cannot handle wind and likely you won't like feeling all the waves at your feet. I know I wouldn't.
87lbs! no
I should have been more clear in the video, the hull weighs 87 lbs (no gear or seats) and that is the weight that I am tilting down from the roof of my vehicle. This amount of weight is pretty easy for one person to get off of a vehicle roof because if you are tilting the boat off you are probably dealing with around 45 pounds or less. On the 12 foot model there are three seats that you add when you assemble the boat. The total for the 3 seats is probably around 10 pounds, so the total for boat and seats is under 100 pounds plus any other gear you want to take.
Regretting selling mine 🥲
Trout....yes...not a spec thought.....sorry to say....just a lake trout.....8.5 pd spec.....I have seen...yes...because we raise them......most people never will.
I had one for 3 years that I just sold last year.(12 ft.) Worked well but I got sick of putting it together each time. I got a 12 ft. Jon boat to replace it. I cartop the Jon boat using a system like this ( ruclips.net/video/HsIKMeSC6_4/видео.html). For me, it works better and faster. Hope you enjoy the boat.
You should get an old folding evinrude motor to go with it! Lol
I purchased a 10 footer port a boat. The floor was so flimsy that I could not stand on it to get into it or get out of it. The boat was so useless that it was not practical or safe to use for anything else but towing it with supply in it. You are full of crap. I had mine for 10 years.
Sorry you had a bad experience. I have not been on the 10 foot model, my Porta-Bote is 12 foot long so maybe it is more stable. I have several videos of my PB in action on my RUclips channel from the Florida Keys through the Southeast US and I will post one at the end of this comment. As far as usefulness of the PB it is just as good and stable as any 12 foot boat I have been on and I have been on quite a few. Boats of this size don't have the weight or beam to give you cruise ship stability. The floor does flex and this is an advantage when it comes to rough water because the flex cushions the pounding you would get from waves compared to a traditional non-flexing hull. If you have the ability to pull a boat on a trailer then there are better options out there. In my case I pull a camper and my state does not allow double towing (boat behind a camper) and the PB is the best solution I could find to get me out on the water fishing with the option of having a gas motor, trolling motor, or paddling or all three as options for propulsion. Here is one video of the PB being used in the Florida Keys: ruclips.net/video/_kc1QGKYTy4/видео.html
@@VikingExpeditions I see your point. I could not do that in mine. I towed mine behind my sailboat in the San Juans Islands, Washington. I, and several others, could not move from one boat to another safely. I then purchased a canoe and used that because it was more stable.
Anyway, still like your vids. Take care.
Bill, are you a very chubby person? I'm 177 pounds and can get in and out of my 12' pretty easilly. I can stand up and move around in it in the water too.
Great review!
Where do you get it and how much does it cost? please
I don't know what current prices are but you can find that information on the company's website along with information on where to buy it. This is the link portabote.com/ Thanks for your question and for watching.