Those home made seats do a dis-service to the Portabote. I have a 10' I use for a tender on my sailboat. The factory seats have three braces each that run from the seat bottoms to the hull corners and center. The braces hold the hull shape. The hull should have a "v" bottom, not a flat bottom. Without the braces, you would have a miserable experience.
You really got an old one there. I have a 2004 ten footer with a 5hp Nissan. Got the Bimini top and the wheel kit. Put two stadium high back seats on it also. The wife loves the Bimini top and the seats. It's been a great boat and I take it to Arizona every year from up here in the northwest.
During my first trip out on a Porta-Bote my wife said she would never go on it again, we ran out of fuel and it was a windy day and we couldn't row well. We just weren't prepared properly, now we have a great time on it and she loves it, she even thinks of trips that she want to take on it next time. I modified mine to make it stiffer and better and it goes great, I think I will add a binini cover for sun protection next. Just take note of what went wrong and fix the issues, there are no perfect boats anywhere, everything is a compromise on something so you just have to find something that is the least annoying to use.
I definitely should have been more prepared but shifting my weight around and the weird trolly mount just ended with an L. Love the boat and the concept I just need to find a much smaller body of water to try again 😅
The stability of the boat relies on the seats from the factory which have braces under each to keep the seats in place as well as the bolts. You must have the portabote seats with support braces to keep the entire folded out boat stable. Also the newer portabotes have a transom brace that also keeps it stable.
@@silverspoontheoryllc You should be able to order the correct seats from the Portabote site. You have the Portabote serial number, also order the transom and that will solve all issues.
What it looks to me like you got something someone modified it’s hard to get anything to work like it should if people change things. I have an eight footer 2010 been mistreated would not trade it for any blowup one just lost it with this last hurricane down in the keys, 2023 it broke loose from my boat. I was on the golf side Coast Guard recording it about a mile off Atlantic side, fine memories old friend make new ones in Europe.
I’m thinking I shouldn’t have jumped the gun. It’s not a bad boat but where I live I need more of a blowup rig like you described or a old John boat. Fishing in Europe would be incredible and is definitely on the bucket list. Keep slaying fish 🎣
Ive had 2 porta botes, 10' and 12' and theyre not like yours. Mine have been well used, are quick and easy to assemble and I got the 10' one because it fitted my boat. I think you bought an old boat with rubbish seats, nothing like the braced seats Ive seen.
I have an older 12 footer but have not taken it out. The prior owner bought it new and only used a few time. In great shape with carry wheels and Bimini top. You need serious work on your boat.
We have TWO Fold-a-Boats! Easy to assemble and we have enjoyed using them. We have a lake and our family enjoyed using l them when we had a Family Reunion.
It would be better if you told us why you didn't like the boat. All I saw was 10 minutes of you screwing around with the boat. Doesn't tell us a thing about why you didn't like it. No it's not obvious from the video.
Sorry to hear that Johnny but what I should have included is the frustrations of setup and takedown. The aftermarket seats are too heavy for the vessel, but that's not a knock on the boat as well as the Fox River was too much for the ole boat since it's more for smaller streams, lakes, or ponds. I also probably should have upgraded the trolly motor as well given the body of water.
@@silverspoontheoryllc thank you for taking the time to reply! I wish I could find it, I think I saw it on tv on ‘you’ve been framed’ first, it was hilarious!
I have one, having boated for 50 years, and I think its bloody brilliant.
Living next to the fox river I need something a bit bigger, no hate on the boat, it’s just not the perfect match 😉
Oh, that must be that 'don't make assumptions' thing, my bad. should have watched more of the video @@silverspoontheoryllc
Those home made seats do a dis-service to the Portabote. I have a 10' I use for a tender on my sailboat. The factory seats have three braces each that run from the seat bottoms to the hull corners and center. The braces hold the hull shape. The hull should have a "v" bottom, not a flat bottom. Without the braces, you would have a miserable experience.
yeah, I need to order/find original seats because the weight distribution in that boat along with heavy af metal seats is toooo much 🤣
I've been there and although I feel your pain, I can't stop laughing.
please do haha learn from my mistakes 😂
You really got an old one there. I have a 2004 ten footer with a 5hp Nissan. Got the Bimini top and the wheel kit. Put two stadium high back seats on it also. The wife loves the Bimini top and the seats. It's been a great boat and I take it to Arizona every year from up here in the northwest.
Might have give mine to a museum 😂
Ours must be around 35 yrs old, no idea who used it last or when though!
During my first trip out on a Porta-Bote my wife said she would never go on it again, we ran out of fuel and it was a windy day and we couldn't row well. We just weren't prepared properly, now we have a great time on it and she loves it, she even thinks of trips that she want to take on it next time. I modified mine to make it stiffer and better and it goes great, I think I will add a binini cover for sun protection next. Just take note of what went wrong and fix the issues, there are no perfect boats anywhere, everything is a compromise on something so you just have to find something that is the least annoying to use.
I definitely should have been more prepared but shifting my weight around and the weird trolly mount just ended with an L. Love the boat and the concept I just need to find a much smaller body of water to try again 😅
The stability of the boat relies on the seats from the factory which have braces under each to keep the seats in place as well as the bolts. You must have the portabote seats with support braces to keep the entire folded out boat stable. Also the newer portabotes have a transom brace that also keeps it stable.
Absolutely 💯 those aftermarket seats were a recipe for disaster
@@silverspoontheoryllc You should be able to order the correct seats from the Portabote site. You have the Portabote serial number, also order the transom and that will solve all issues.
Well they say: The best 2 days of a boater's life are the day they bought their boat, and the day they sold their boat.
facts 😂😂
Ha!❤
New Porta-Botes are amazing.
Maybe we should buy the new one and test it out 👀
What it looks to me like you got something someone modified it’s hard to get anything to work like it should if people change things. I have an eight footer 2010 been mistreated would not trade it for any blowup one just lost it with this last hurricane down in the keys, 2023 it broke loose from my boat. I was on the golf side Coast Guard recording it about a mile off Atlantic side, fine memories old friend make new ones in Europe.
I’m thinking I shouldn’t have jumped the gun. It’s not a bad boat but where I live I need more of a blowup rig like you described or a old John boat. Fishing in Europe would be incredible and is definitely on the bucket list. Keep slaying fish 🎣
Ive had 2 porta botes, 10' and 12' and theyre not like yours. Mine have been well used, are quick and easy to assemble and I got the 10' one because it fitted my boat. I think you bought an old boat with rubbish seats, nothing like the braced seats Ive seen.
I don't think it was the boat but those heavy aftermarket seats.
I have an older 12 footer but have not taken it out. The prior owner bought it new and only used a few time. In great shape with carry wheels and Bimini top. You need serious work on your boat.
it needs some TLC!!!
We have TWO Fold-a-Boats! Easy to assemble and we have enjoyed using them. We have a lake and our family enjoyed using l them when we had a Family Reunion.
Love it! I wish mine wasn't so beat up
What are those removable/temp roof racks on your car?
HeyTrip Roof Racks
It would be better if you told us why you didn't like the boat. All I saw was 10 minutes of you screwing around with the boat. Doesn't tell us a thing about why you didn't like it. No it's not obvious from the video.
Sorry to hear that Johnny but what I should have included is the frustrations of setup and takedown. The aftermarket seats are too heavy for the vessel, but that's not a knock on the boat as well as the Fox River was too much for the ole boat since it's more for smaller streams, lakes, or ponds. I also probably should have upgraded the trolly motor as well given the body of water.
Thanks, Now I know more. I'm thinking about getting one as I live in a motor home and space is at a premium
@@johnnylightning1491In my blog I get more into the specifics but I would still recommend this boat just make sure it has THE OG SEATS!!!
Can anyone tell me please if they saw the video of the man folding himself up in the Bote, it’ll be nearly 35-40 yrs old now!!
Can’t say I have
@@silverspoontheoryllc thank you for taking the time to reply! I wish I could find it, I think I saw it on tv on ‘you’ve been framed’ first, it was hilarious!
Just got the same boat the seat were missing could you send me the seat size from your
the owner I bought it from swapped out the original seats
be easy on me I am a rookie!!! 🤣🤣