Inflatable or Porta-Bote

[instumentpilot]

I'm looking for a boat I can take with me while RVing (still towing a car) and have narrowed it down to an Achilles inflatable or a Porta-Bote (the kind that folds up like oragame). I would like to use it to fish, sight see, and maybe pull the kids on an inner tube.<br /><br />Does anyone have an opinion on which decision I should make? Are there advantages/disadvantages of one over the other? I'd really appreciate any input I can get.<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: Inflatable or Porta-Bote

I have a Zodiac (11'- 2")...with air floor. It has an 8 HP, 2-stroke Mercury. Holds five. A rubber boat is much more seaworthy that a 'Porta-Bote' period! You'll be able to go anywhere ( ) in safety. In all honesty, it takes 1/2 hour to set up from the valise to go...not 10 minutes like the ad says. Mine is in mint condition and for sale, I be glad to send details. Boat weighs 65#, the motor about the same. I just don't use it anymore, I'll miss it!

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: Inflatable or Porta-Bote

My rescue squad (not normally a water rescue squad) decided we needed a portable boat for the (2 small) lakes here. After alot of careful looking at the porta boat and inflatables we bought an Avon (much like the above zodiac) inflatable and a 9 hp 4 stroke engine. We are VERY happy with it... Very stable (even to dive from), quick and fast set up.

 

[rdkamp]

Re: Inflatable or Porta-Bote

Like you, we wanted something that we could take along when we travel in our RV. We just purchased a Sea Eagle 12.6 SR and made our maiden voyage this past week when we traveled from Missouri to Texas and back. This craft will take up to a 30 HP engine and carry an additional 750 lbs. It took about 1/2 hour to put together and get underway. I stowed the boat, all the parts (4 piece plastic floorboards, 2 wood seats and fabric top) and my 2 HP outboard motor in my 2000 Saturn L Series that I tow. We had no problems and I think we will enjoy it very much in the future. They have many affordable models to choose from and I encourage you to look at this product. Their web site is, www.seaeagle.com Good Luck

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Inflatable or Porta-Bote

look at it logically<br /><br />when a ship sinks, they get into air inflated survival pods to wait for another ship to arrive<br /><br />note the AIR INFLATION part<br /><br />porta bote offers two options<br /><br />one is a nylon wrap to make it water tight (what the f#@k???)<br /><br />the other is a sail, which can be tied to an oar and used as a HELP! HELP! signalling device ...<br /><br />Id go with a nice inflatable boat, they arent like the nylon inner tubes you get for a buck or two at the sea side sucker shop ... <br /><br />POP! and yer foundering ... <br /><br />multi chambered, and remember, what do they do when a SHIP sinks, yanno, like in a storm big enough to sink a 600 foot floating palace?<br /><br />thats right, inflate a boat, and ride out the waves<br /><br />and thats all I have to say about that!