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Comment by Randall S Anselmo on May 2, 2012 at 6:47pm

I'm currently looking for a new dinghy, and considering a Porta Bote.  After seeing your photo of the sinking, though, having second thoughts.  Would you still recommend it?

Comment by Bill Ludeman on May 2, 2012 at 10:04pm

I would consider it if I were you.    It tows pretty nicely and moves very well with a small outboard and a big load.   The 12 foot version is perfect for me, legal to dinghy dock in almost all marina's.     It can not be sunk.   The foam floatation keeps it awash.   The  problem is with an out board mounted it lowers the transom notch too low to bail without raising it somehow.    I tied a line on the outboard and lifted it on the aft crossbeam one time.   I sank it twice both times because the bolts had rattled loose and it was taking water thru the holes.   The bolts are very TIGHT now and gasketed in and out with lock nuts and lock washers.   Not apt to happen again.    The notch in the transom may be problematic in rough water but honestly towing ANY dinghy in rough water is a bad idea.    
One other serious consideration - yes its capable of being disassembled but you do end up with a pile of seats and the transom as well as a nice flat folded hull.     It takes an acrobatic person to do this by themselves too.    Two people and you will break a sweat.      Still its way tougher and roomier than any inflatable that I know of.  AND Inflatables take up a lot of room too.   Durable - capable relatively cheap new and very cheap used.     Mine can be rowed but it is NOT a rowboat.   It takes a bit of getting used to for walking around in it but it can be done pretty easy.   Pretty fast with small horsepower.   Mine is now about 8 or nine years old.    Look at inflatables that old!!   The seats will eventually crack and have to be replaced with plywood or something.   I seriously load mine and I weigh well over two hundred pounds.    It takes it just fine.    I am currently using mine with a 35 pound trolling motor and a group 27 battery to run back and forth to my moored boat.     A small solar panel keeps my battery charged enough for most use - once a month I take the battery home and give it an overnight charge.   The 4hp Merc 2 stroke is very fast and a great match.   I had a 9.8 Force on it for awhile and it was to much motor for the boat but it was screaming fast.    I would recommend trying one if at all possible before buying.     Frankly I am very happy with mine and can't imagine using anything else.   I have six or so dinks in my yard and under my shed so have had some pretty good experience with this subject.     I intend to put some simple life jacket retainer boards on the sides and a flat lid to keep them in with two solar panels one on each side.   Replace the seats with plywood and mount the battery under the center seat.   Other than that its going to stay the way it is.     At low tide its about six feet from the dock to the bottom of my boat and many times I have dropped right off the dock onto the front seat.    Only once did it throw me <grin>      Feel free to ask any additional questions you might have.   -

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