Acquired a porta bote
-
luv2boutdoors
- Petty Officer
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:01 am
Acquired a porta bote
So I just acquired a porta bote. Anyone else have one? I have seen videos of how stable they are but I was curious to know if anyone has taken them out on the sound? It's a 10 ft porta bote.
-
The Quadfather
- Rear Admiral One Star
- Posts: 3744
- Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 2:27 pm
- Location: Carkeek Park, North Seattle
- Contact:
Re: Acquired a porta bote
Contact a guy from this site, who goes the name "UrbanAngler" I have been in his portaboat many times.
He does not spend as much time on this site these day, but I'll give him a heads up to your question.
It is a fine boat for "Most" lakes and easy to get to and from the water. Having used it a lot I can say that it will put you on plenty of lakes that don't have actual boat launches, and thus have less fishing pressure than lakes that get hit hard by boaters. Would I use it on the Sound, No. Maybe in some strange situation where you launched in a very small cove on the Sound, and you were just going to go out and pick up some crab pots, like a couple hundred feet from shore, and then back in again. But otherwise, not. It doesn't have a deep enough hull in my opinion to be well suited for the swells out there, as well the amount of horsepower that it is going to be rated for would be less than adequate for the swells/lack of hull, etc.
But, UrbanAngler may have had his own experience.
He does not spend as much time on this site these day, but I'll give him a heads up to your question.
It is a fine boat for "Most" lakes and easy to get to and from the water. Having used it a lot I can say that it will put you on plenty of lakes that don't have actual boat launches, and thus have less fishing pressure than lakes that get hit hard by boaters. Would I use it on the Sound, No. Maybe in some strange situation where you launched in a very small cove on the Sound, and you were just going to go out and pick up some crab pots, like a couple hundred feet from shore, and then back in again. But otherwise, not. It doesn't have a deep enough hull in my opinion to be well suited for the swells out there, as well the amount of horsepower that it is going to be rated for would be less than adequate for the swells/lack of hull, etc.
But, UrbanAngler may have had his own experience.
-
luv2boutdoors
- Petty Officer
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:01 am
Re: Acquired a porta bote
thank you for your reply, I will try and get a hold of him.
Re: Acquired a porta bote
Never used one, but saw a couple using one out of Mukilteo one time dropping crab pots just off shore. It didn't have much freeboard, but they seemed to be doing alright.
EDIT: I agree with all of Quadfather's points. I would not recommend taking a porta bote out on Puget Sound for more than light crabbing such as above and only on days with calm water.
EDIT: I agree with all of Quadfather's points. I would not recommend taking a porta bote out on Puget Sound for more than light crabbing such as above and only on days with calm water.
Re: Acquired a porta bote
I have a 10 ft (older gen 3) and a 12 ft (newer gen 4). The 12ft is much more stable, however, is a little heavier and awkward load due to it's length. I rarely use the 12ft unless it's a family outing. I use the newer plastic seats on the older model. I really love these boats due to their portability and stability. It allows me to take the boat to places where traditional small boats cannot go, i don't need a trailer to haul the boat, and I can load the boat without help as the majority of the time I'm on my own.
As others have said, it's not a good idea to take this to the sound during rough weather. Then again, I don't see smaller boats on the sound during rough weather. During good to mild weather, this boat is a champ. I've rolled through big waves without concern. I've been crabbing near shore off the sound in area 11 for the past couple of years and have been using my boat every weekend this July for crabbing and plan on using it again this weekend.
As others have said, it's not a good idea to take this to the sound during rough weather. Then again, I don't see smaller boats on the sound during rough weather. During good to mild weather, this boat is a champ. I've rolled through big waves without concern. I've been crabbing near shore off the sound in area 11 for the past couple of years and have been using my boat every weekend this July for crabbing and plan on using it again this weekend.
-
luv2boutdoors
- Petty Officer
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:01 am
Re: Acquired a porta bote
huma,
thank you very much for the information. I only intend to use it for dropping pots. Otherwise, it will be primarily a lake boat. these things are pretty neat, i fianlly dont feel left out with my KIA soul now that i can just throw the boat on the roof and not worry about working those hamsters over time trying to tow.
thank you very much for the information. I only intend to use it for dropping pots. Otherwise, it will be primarily a lake boat. these things are pretty neat, i fianlly dont feel left out with my KIA soul now that i can just throw the boat on the roof and not worry about working those hamsters over time trying to tow.
Re: Acquired a porta bote
I have one just to transport it across the ferries. It's a 12' older generation. I've taken it to the hood canal and San Juan islands for crabbing. Definitely limited when the weather gets really rough, but does fine in the mild water.
Re: Acquired a porta bote
I have one just to transport it across the ferries. It's a 12' older generation. I've taken it to the hood canal and San Juan islands for crabbing. Definitely limited when the weather gets really rough, but does fine in the mild water.