Folding Porta Bote Test
Reviewed by Allan Burgess

The Porta-Bote is a brilliant idea! But like any new idea it takes a bit of getting used to at first. Actually, the Porta-Bote isn’t exactly a new idea at all. These craft have been manufactured in the United States, and sold around the world for over 40 years. Over which time over 100,000 have been sold! They have also been around in New Zealand for some time as well, but chances are you haven’t seen one yet.

When the Porta-Bote first arrived by courier truck, I must admit to being a little concerned about how time consuming it was going to be to put together!

I also wondered about the durability and toughness of a boat that could be folded into such a small package!

We quickly removed the extensive packing and set about assembling the 12′ 6″ model on our front lawn. Having never even seen one before, other than in a photograph, we were delighted to discover that the whole job took little more than 10 minutes. With practice it was easy to see that this time could be reduced considerably. Disassembly took us just four minutes.
The whole boat is locked together with stainless steel lockpins, bolts and wingnuts – you don’t even need a spanner.

As you can see in the pictures the Porta-Bote is put together by first “opening” the hull. It is spring-loaded to some extent, and so requires you to hold it open with your leg until you get the centre seat in place. According to the instructions, the Porta-Bote hull is stiffer in cooler weather and so requires more effort to open.

With the middle seat in place it is a simple matter to bolt the transom inside the bladder, and then insert the two remaining seats. The whole business is simplicity itself. Even if you were no good at making model aeroplanes as a kid, I can promise you that you’ll have no trouble at all with this.
We couldn’t wait to try the Porta-Bote out and were soon off to the Kaiapoi River.

The Porta-Bote hull is designed to fold down to a package just about 4” thick, and so can easily be transported on a car roof-rack.
Space saving on storage is another obvious advantage of being able to fold the Porta-Bote down to such a convenient package. It would be ideal for anyone living in a high-rise apartment, or townhouse, because it could be stored against the inside wall of your garage, or tied to the rafters, unlike a tinnie. You neighbours wouldn’t even know you had a boat!

Assembly at the Kaiapoi boat ramp soon drew a small crowd of interested onlookers. Our earlier practice on the front lawn paid off and we had the Porta-Bote together in no time flat. The hull itself weighs about 88lbs. When you add on the seats and transom, it was still light enough for two people to carry down to the water. You could also drag the fully assembled Porta-Bote on your own if you wanted to, though there is a handy two wheel Porta-Dolly available so you can get to “out of the way places” that you couldn’t drive to.

The hull is made from UV Buffered Copolymer Polypropylene 1/4″ thick. The colour runs right the way through so any scratches don’t show. This hull material is incredibly strong. It is unaffected by: sunlight, saltwater, acid, and won’t even burn! Most importantly the hull is resistant to even the sharpest rocks that would puncture the hull of a tinnie!

Once on the water it was soon obvious why Porta-Bote has been so successful over the past quarter century. It handles extremely well. It is a pleasure to row, even for someone as rusty as I am on the oars. The oars are foam filled to make them float if dropped overboard.

During later “testing” on Lake Selfe, in the Canterbury high country, I soon came to appreciate just how easy this craft is to row. On this lake you’re not permitted to troll with a motor so I had a go at rowing instead. The action of a lure when trolled behind a rowed boat is much more lifelike than when using an outboard. I hadn’t rowed far when a giant rainbow erupted out of the water quite some distance behind us. I let go of the oars and gabbed for my rod. This big fish rocketed up out of the water several more times in quick succession before my lure snapped off at the knot. “Never mind,” I thought, “there are plenty more in here!” And so it was, my son Stephen and I caught and kept a fish each as the evening progressed.

At Lake Selfe we also discovered another important feature of the Porta-Bote: our muddy boots made an awful mess on the floor of the hull but this washed straight off later with the hose! The seats are covered with thick foam, as is the inside top of the hull. This material gives the Porta Bote considerably extra buoyancy. It will still float even when full of water. The foam covered seats are also very comfortable to sit on.

Under power with our 5 hp Johnson outboard the 12’6″ model flew along. The manufacturer claims speeds up to 15 mph with a 5 hp outboard. I don’t doubt this for a second.
It maintains excellent directional stability under power as a result of its deep keel design. It is also worth noting that it floats in just four inches of water.

What a great boat this is. For me it is just ideal for fishing on lakes around the South Island. It is particularly suited to fishing Lakes Lyndon, Selfe, Georgina, Evelyn, Pearson, Taylor, and Katrine, in the Canterbury high country, were the regulations do not permit fishing from boats that are being mechanically propelled.

The Porta-Bote enables access on these and other South Island lakes and rivers where otherwise shore access is difficult. The West Coast has many waters that features native bush to the shore line. At these places even the most modest craft is a huge asset. The Arnold River, and Lake Poerua instantly come to mind as being ideally suited to fish with the Porta-Bote. These delightful waters are almost unfishable from shore.

Holiday anglers in the Marlborough Sounds could also make great use of a Porta-Bote for sea fishing. Wetting a line for a snapper just off shore is a very pleasant experience indeed! It would also be a great little craft for: whitebaiting, setting a mullet net, or as a ship-to-shore dinghy. You can even use it as a sailboat!

The travelling angler will also greatly appreciate not having to tow a trailer everywhere they go, instead either carrying their Porta-Bote on a roof rack, or strapped to the side of their camper van.

Some Canterbury anglers also use their Porta-Bote for salmon fishing. The method is to launch at the gorge, and drift downstream, stopping to fish likely looking holes on the way. I can’t wait to give this a go myself. It would also be a good boat to cross the rivermouth lagoons when salmon fishing.

Overall the Porta-Bote provides just the right balance of portability, fishability, and excellent design.

Our score: Highly recommended!

 

The Porta Bote is ideal on the South Island lakes. Here a big rainbow trout has been caught on light spinning tackle while drifting and casting on Canterbury’s Lake Selfe.

The motor makes it easy to get to out of the way places down the other end of the lake.

The Porta Bote is very stable. You can stand up to cast a line if you so desired. Assembly at the Kaiapoi boat ramp soon drew a small crowd of interested onlookers. Our earlier practice on the front lawn paid off and we had the Porta-Bote together in no time flat.

Two anglers can carry the 12′ 6″ Genesis IV down to the water’s edge.

Our 5hp outboard pushed the Porta Bote along very well indeed. The manufacturer claims speeds up to 20 mph with a 5 hp outboard. I don’t doubt this for a second. The Bote maintains excellent directional stability under power as a result of its deep keel design.

It is also worth noting that it floats in just four inches of water.

 

The Bote also slides easily across the grass making it possible for one person to launch and retrieve.

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To: The good folks at Porta-Bote International

Your portable folding Porta-Bote is indeed all I thought it would be for fishing these big western trout rivers. The enclosed photo is from a recent fishing trip on the San Juan River in northwestern New Mexico. The 10′ model (behind me) was just right for two men. It takes the rapids fine and is so light it can be carried almost anywhere. The trout in the photo is a 6 pound rainbow.

You may use me for a testimonial anytime. It is a great boat!

Best regards,

Jack Samson

 

 

Groton Pacific Carriers, Inc. bought their first folding Porta-Bote for use on their oil tanker, the M/T Hawaiian Sun, about two years ago. They needed a boat that could be passed through small deck openings for easy access to internal cargo tank areas. The boat was to be used inside the internal water-filled cargo tanks for inspection and repair of the tank walls. The 12′ Porta-Bote, which folds to a neat package only 7″ thick and can be passed through an opening only 24″ in diameter, proved to be a smart choice, indeed. Opening the foldable boat takes only a couple of minutes and can be done on a platform as small as four feet wide. Once opened, the boat has a beam of five feet. This wide beam together with Porta-Bote’s unique hull design accounts for the boat’s exceptional stability and maneuverability. “Porta-Bote’s advantages over inflatables were immediately apparent,” says Demetrius Panagopulos, technical manager for Groton. “The boat was found impervious to damage from rubbing against rough steel surfaces, and could not be punctured. We are very pleased with the results”.

This is a unique departure from the usual use of Porta-Botes. Most are bought by fisherman and yachtsmen as an alternative to heavy aluminum boats or “awkward” inflatables. Porta-Bote also withstood the test during the application of tank coating. Says Panagopulos: “The coating process exposed Porta-Bote to solvents and epoxy resins and the boat was found unaffected by them.”

During difficult tank welding operations, all that was required to protect the boat was a wetted sheet of canvass. This operation could obviously never be attempted using an inflatable, because of the risk of a hole burning through. In the confines of a cargo tank, rapid air loss would equal disaster. “It offered excellent stability,” Panagopulos comments. “The boat was often used by the crew to paint areas alongside the hull that had been inaccessible earlier.”

Although in production for over twenty years, Porta-Bote has recently become popular with anglers due to the downsizing of automobiles and the desire for a trailerless boat. In recent years, thousands have been sold to people who have moved to tight quartered condos and apartments and found it impossible to store an ordinary boat. Porta-Bote’s entire hull is made from polypropylene, an engineered resin originally developed for use in the aerospace field.

The manufacturer states that the material is unaffected by exposure to salt, acid, gasoline – almost everything. Polypropylene is obviously very tough and durable. The hull is virtually puncture proof and bounces off rocks without damage. The manufacturer is so confident of the durability of the hull material that it is covered by a ten-year warranty. Folding to a mere four inches thick, the boat is easily stored on board a ship or a yacht. It can also be carried on a compact car or side of a motorhome. Porta-Bote also is available in 8-foot,10-foot, 12-foot and 14-foot versions. All are designed to be rowed, sailed, or motor driven. Porta-Bote is available in white, aluminum or duck-hunter green.

Watercraft Review

Porta-Bote, a completely collapsible watercraft that transforms from surfboard dimensions into a full fledged boat

….Total Score: 9.0 + TT Innovation Award!

Introduction: Boats come in all sizes, shapes, and sizes…but among all the portable watercrafts available today, nothing quite compares to the Porta-Bote. This unique, one of the kind, boat folds up to a surfboard size and becomes a fully functional row or powerboat on the water when fully expanded. While some people are skeptical about how well a fold up craft can perform, we found the Porta-Bote delivered respectable hydrodynamics, solid stability, and most of all…was extremely portable and effortless to employ.

Introducing the Porta-Bote  10ft. model.
Three other sizes are available.

About Porta-Bote: After a very successful career in the publishing field, Porta-Bote’s CEO Sandy Kaye bought the rights of the folding boat design in 1973 and has driven the business by redesigning the boat to be more efficient, introducing new accessories, and much more. The Porta-Bote design was actually created in 1969 by Sandy’s friend. The original concept was a good one, but unfortunately the first design didn’t interest many outdoor enthusiasts. It was double ended, like a canoe. A lot of re-engineering by the man himself, and the Porta-Bote had the right design and features to garner worldwide sales.

A deep entry V-hull provides good hydrodynamics in the water. The picture to the right shows the floor that’s flexible and yet stable

Impressions: The first time I saw a Porta-Bote in person was during a trip to the Eastern Sierras. Trout fishing and testing gear in a remote lake where the dock held a series of aluminum rental boats and at the end of the line up was a Porta-Bote. I didn’t get to see one folded up until I visited Porta-Bote and met the mastermind himself. Sandy showed me the boat as it was opened up, and right there he taught me how to disassemble it in a few quick minutes. Needless to say, I was quite eager to learn more about the design and whether this boat could fit the needs of anglers.

The Design: In 1969 the Porta-Bote was born. The portability concept was always there, but the overall hull design and shape was somewhat different. The “original” watercraft was a double ended boat, where there was no bow and stern, just two bows.  In this design, the folding boat didn’t have good stability as there was less surface area that supported the boat. Soon after Sandy took over the business, a redesign was put in place immediately. Sandy re-engineered the Porta-Bote as we see today, having a bow and a stern.  The new innovative boat now has a wide beam for much stability, and it has the ability to mount an electric or gas powered motor, bringing the Porta-Bote to a whole new level in terms of application and of course the ability to fish from it.

[Left] Bow trolling motor mount [Right] Bow cap for a more attractive appearance

A question that many of you might ask is how can a boat be folded not just once, but many times, still have seams strong enough to never leak. This exact information has remained a secret for a long time and will continue to be this way. What I do know is that this technique is used in the aerospace industry and that this technique involves the complex welding of the 4 pieces together via staple wires and appears to have some type of sealant material injected in-between the panels. Whatever this exact welding method is, it does a magnificent job at holding the Porta-Bote together.

Accessories: The Porta-Botes are designed to fit the needs of many types of outdoorsmen by providing accessories per application. For anglers there are a few items that are worth mentioning such as the bow trolling motor mount, oars, bimini sun top, and the dolly for easy transportation.

Setting up the Porta-Bote takes just a few minutes. Everything snaps into place then is secured either via stainless steel pins or nuts, bolts, and washers

Real World Tests: With its unique construction and ability to fold and unfold in minutes, we knew this would be an fantastic watercraft to take on local lakes and on trips to remote watering holes. The 10′ Porta-Bote Genesis was taken to Anderson Reservoir where we hand launched it early in the morning before any fishermen were able to get onto the water via the standard launch facilities. The boat held Zander and I, a 27 pound Honda outboard, 1 gallon of spare fuel, Porta-Dolly, accessories, and a load of fishing tackle.

Powering across the lake is effortless as the boat planes quickly with a
tiny 2 hp OUTBOARD!

Maneuverability: Although the 10′ Porta-Bote is capable of holding a 5HP outboard, we used a 27lb outboard that produced 2HP which was plenty of power for use in medium sized lakes. When we fished from the Porta-Bote, moving around using both a gas motor and the oars was simple. The boat has a deep V entry hull at the bow that cuts through the water with ease. While we ran from point to point fishing, we made good timing and used minimal gas as the Porta-Bote planes fairly quickly, even with a 2HP motor. When we reached our destination we used the oars to go into stealth mode as we moved closer in to target sweet spots. When hitting shallow areas, the Porta-Bote only needs 4 inches of water to float, but we recommend the use of oars at this time rather than your outboard or trolling motor to prevent any damage it may cause to your motor shaft and propeller. Having this ability of moving about in shallow areas will get you to fishing spots others might not be able to reach in larger boats. Because the hull is somewhat flexible, it does take some energy to put the Porta-Bote in motion while motoring or rowing. When using the outboard or oars, our results showed that the flex is so minimal that it’s not a real concern.

Stability is excellent and allows anglers to stand up and fish

Stability: The stability of the 10′ Porta-Bote Genesis IV is actually quite impressive on the water. Even with the Flexi-hull, both Zander and I were able to stand up and fish at the same time. Because only the bow section of the 10′ model has a deep V, the rest of the boat is fairly flat with a beam of 5 feet across.  The wide beam gives the watercraft much more surface area to float on and provides the stability that I welcome especially when standing up and tossing lures.

[Top left] The oar mounts are built onto the side of the boat. [Top right] The cup holders on the seat provides a solid place to put your beverage. [Bottom left] The top portion of the Porta-Dolly hooks easily onto the boat. [Bottom right] A solid transom provides a strong place to mount the motor

Because the hull is constructed out of a copolymer Polypropylene, it takes impact from waves and wakes from other boaters very well.  The Flexi-hull absorbs the impact softy, minimizing any roll or instability you might feel such as in an aluminum boat.  The design results in an easier and comfortable ride, no pounding waves like a stiff hull, and the feel of stability as you move about the water.

Safety: How safe is the Porta-Bote?  Virtually unsinkable. The Porta-Bote has been designed to stay afloat and leveled even when filled with water.  Polypropylene alone is already buoyant, and with the addition of the inner-side foam material and foam filled seats plus transom allows even greater floatation.  For anglers who don’t like to fish on inflatables fearing they will get a hook in it, well, the Porta-Bote will not have this problem.  In addition to the boat being unsinkable, its stability is good and while we fished standing up, we felt completely safe in both calm and open waters.

Durability: Before I explain how durable our Porta-Bote test unit is, I would like to share with you what applications the hull material  Polypropylene is used for in today’s products. Many of you see and touch this type of material daily. This thermoplastic is used to make car bumpers, fibers for carpeting, bullet proof vests, refrigerator doors, bottle caps, bottles, medical products, fishing tackle boxes, and much more.  Because a buffered Copolymer Polypropylene is highly resistant to extreme temperatures and chemical harm, has excellent moisture barrier properties, and good fatigue resistance, it is the perfect material in which to compose the Porta-Bote.

Now that we know more about the hull material, let’s see how it did during our on the water tests. The Porta-Bote’s hull, 1/4″ thick,  and took on zero damage as we stepped on it from both interior and exterior, landed it on various rough surfaces, and during transport on top of an SUV.  With a hull like this, you won’t have to worry about dropping lures inside the boat nor having any problems when the lure runs up the side of the Porta-Bote. 

The Porta-Bote is completely covered with a ultraviolet inhibitor to prevent any damage from the sun’s harmful rays. To further add protection to the Porta-Bote Genesis, each edge is fitted with a rub rail that will take the brunt of the damage especially when landing.

With the Porta-Dolly, anglers can transport all their gear in one trip

Portability: This watercraft wasn’t named Porta-Bote for nothing. The boat is extremely portable and very easy to store. The Porta-Bote Genesis can be folded down to a surfboard size of only 4 inches (11cm) thick!  When folded the Porta-Bote 10′ model can fit on top of sedans, trucks, SUV’s, jeeps, RV’s, planes, and other boats. We transported the test unit on the roof racks of a 4Runner, tied on with ropes, and we were off in minutes to our fishing location. The boat and the foam filled seats are also light enough for one person to haul around, either loading, storing, or bringing it down to the launch area. Speaking of launching, one can purchase the Porta-Dolly that hooks onto the side of the boat, and in seconds you are wheeling your way to and from the water with all your fishing tackle and motor in one trip.

The Porta-Boat is king when you consider portability. It folds down to only 4 inches thick and is light enough for one person to handle

Comfort: The Porta-Bote is pretty much a shell made of Polypropylene.  Since the hull gives some flex, standing up on it will not cause much fatigue because it’s almost like standing on a spring as the floor of the boat will absorb any shock, making it especially easy on the knees. The only addition we would like to see are padded seats. Right now the seats are molded out of hard plastic and sitting down on them all day can be tiring. Some people actually modify their rig by adding a captain style chairs with a backrest which provides much better ergonomics while seated.

The ability to launch before anyone else is a big plus, allowing Zander and I first shot at fish before any of the boats could
even launch

Warranty: Not many boats, especially portable ones, come with such a advantageous warranty like the one Porta-Bote offers. Because this boat is extremely durable and the Polypropylene is virtually bulletproof, Porta-Bote provides a prorata 10 year limited warranty on the hull and hinges. Most small boats offer only a 2 – 3 year limited warranty.

Ratings:

Pluses and Minuses:

Conclusion: For anglers that love traveling to secluded fishing holes far out in the countryside, have limited transportation, or minimal storage space but still want a solid hull craft, the Porta-Bote is the one stop answer for all your needs. This boat is quick and easy to set up either alone or with a buddy, getting you on the water in a fleeting amount of time. The Genesis 10ft model we tested demonstrated extremely good hydrodynamics as our 2HP Honda outboard put it in motion with little effort. While standing up to fish, both Zander and I felt extremely safe due to the stability of the watercraft, this boat is virtually unsinkable and the material used to build the hull and its secret hinged design is ingenious. After decades of producing these boats Porta-Bote has confidence in its product tacking on a 10 year limited warranty, which is unheard of in the industry. The Porta-Bote is the ideal watercraft for anglers on the go, and the fact that anglers can transport this boat with ease, and still have to make no sacrifices when it comes to features and performance, make the Porta-Bote an easy choice for our Innovation Award!

Test Review By Fred Jobson – Freshwater Fishing Australia

Volume 24 · Number 21
FOLDING  PORTA-BOTE FIELD TEST

12 英尺的船体折叠平整，仅重 83 磅，可以像冲浪板一样绑在汽车上，固定在面包车或房车的侧面，绑在野营拖车的顶部或连接到浮桥飞机的支柱上。然而，它全长 12 英尺（也有 8 英尺和 10 英尺和 14 英尺长），有一个 60 英寸的横梁和 24 英寸深的船中部，并将处理一个舷外发动机。它只需要 4 英寸深的水就可以漂浮。

在最近一次前往鲍威尔湖的船屋露营之旅中，它乘坐朋友的拖车船屋在高速公路上行驶。在第一天的巡航中，我们把它拉到后甲板上并组装起来。第二天，我们把它的船头高高地绑在“母船”的后栏杆上，然后像小艇一样拖在我们身后——船尾在水中。

保罗霍金斯和我发现 Porta-Bote 是一种钓鱼的乐趣。坐在里面很舒服，有足够的空间可以四处走动，而且足够稳定，可以站立投掷。在全功率下，它迅速向上移动到一个充满水的鲍威尔峡谷。沿着它探出头来，它很容易地在看起来像鱼的海湾的障碍物和岩石中探出头来。它的转弯速度比我测试过的任何一艘船都要快——而且不会翻倒。它划得很漂亮，桨夹在桨上，这样你就可以把它们放下来划船。它的船体（由聚丙烯制成）不透盐水，非常坚固。我把船漂到悬崖表面的一个深裂缝中，钓到了一只漂亮的鲍威尔湖大嘴，在那里铝船会沿着岩石发出嘈杂的刮擦声，玻璃纤维船体也会留下疤痕。我们将一个脂肪塑料诱饵放入裂缝中的黑暗顶点。一周后，在一次公海航行中，船体显示了它的能力，以”滑行”在风切和船醒来没有硬船的恼人的声音。就我而言，Porta-Bote 可能是最好的全能捕鱼和狩猎船之一！

Folding Porta-Bote makes an excellent “RV Couple’s boat”.

ALASKA OUTDOORS . .VOL 6b x

Porta-Bote Stability Test… In The Rough Alaskan Waters

“On Cook Inlet, it rode better than any boat I’ve tested!”
Chris Batin, Editor

It’s seldom that I have the pleasure of testing a product that really excites me. Even after a summer of testing, I’m more excited about this product than when I first received it. This 12′ Porta-Bote is something else!

One of Porta-Bote’s most remarkable qualities lies in its construction. The entire hull is constructed from space age polypropylene, twice as thick as an aluminum hull. My first experience with its durability occurred when I first picked up the boat from the freight office in Fairbanks. The boat had just come off the truck. Much to my dismay the dock attendant dropped the boat from the top of the 12 foot high ramp. The boat smacked the concrete hard, bounced a few inches, and stopped. I was sure I’d have to file a damage claim. But after careful examination I found only a few scratches. I later found out why. Porta-Bote guarantees the hull material against defects with their 10 year prorata limited warranty. It’s also unaffected by sand, saltwater, even acid.

On Cook Inlet, I rammed my boat into the beach at full throttle with seven-foot waves following me close behind. I sheared a pin on the outboard, but Porta-Bote survived with flying colors. And best of all, I didn’t get swamped!

The hull material isn’t the only item that deserves recognition. The hinges on the newly redesigned Porta-Botes are completely watertight.

For several years, I used an Avon inflatable for most of my lake and stream fishing. With a little muscle power, I could drag it to the water’s edge. However, it had several disadvantages. The inflatable was prone to punctures and Alaska’s wilderness rivers are “puncture heaven”. Inflatables are also painfully slow to inflate and deflate, and are bumpy in rough water.

But Porta-Bote has all the advantages of an inflatable and none of thedisadvantages. It’s extremely stable, and can accommodate fly-casting without tipping. It’s virtually puncture proof to white water boulders and if you do tip it over, it floats even when completely filled with water. With a 5 H.P. outboard it jumps on step.It would take a 20 H.P. outboard to do this with my inflatable. Ever try to lift a 20 H.P. outboard?.

It has outstanding maneuverability for river use, and on Cook Inlet. it rode better than anv boat I’ve tested. The “flexihull” absorbs the shock of the wave so you don’t have to.

Porta-Bote can easily be strapped to the pontoons of a float plane and carries beautifully. It’s the ideal boat for wilderness excursions. I wish some of the lodges had these boats at their camps. They’d never get me to leave. The craft is truly a joy to fish from. I’ve just installed my graph recorder and down rigger.

The  Porta-Bote hull is balanced so I can carry it under one arm and it takes me just a few minutes to assemble. And heaven knows when those trout and grayling are rising, it’s no time to be pumping up that inflatable or untrailering that semi-V.

If it sounds like I’m excited about my Porta-Bote, you’re right. I wish I had one 20 years ago when I first came to Alaska. I could have gotten to all those far-away fishing and hunting spots I could never get to with my other boats.

The only thing more remarkable about this boat is the price. Porta-Bote actually costs less than many “quality” inflatables which offer only half the options!. The new  models have a 5′ beam and all models are available in Duck-Hunter Green (Olive Drab) , Pacific Pearl and Aluminum.

If you’re contemplating a boat purchase this year, you’ll best enjoy Alaska’s rivers and lakes with a folding Porta-Bote.