Some of you guys who have been here for awhile may remember me. I got 95% of my freshwater gear stolen out of my car in the middle of the summer. That was at least $400 worth of stuff. While I got it all back after posting a $100 reward, I just couldn't motivate myself to go fishing for the rest of the year. Thankfully, I'm now over it and looking forwards to fishing in the spring.

I've decided that I'm going to get a fishing boat before fishing season starts next year, and no longer be landlocked. However, the distinct lack of a real towing vehicle, and the fact that I'm mostly on my own while fishing limits what I can handle. I'm still driving my dinky Corolla, and the fact that it's 60 miles round trip to work 5 days a week keeps me from trading it in for a truck. Plus there's the fact that if I had a trailer, I would have to leave the boat unattended after launch while I park. Not a good idea. So I was thinking of going with a 10' or 12' Porta-Bote. You know, the folding ones. Seems like it would be the perfect one person cartopper, and if I order the wheeled dolly, I could drive up, park, assemble the boat, stow everything in it, walk it down to the water, then launch and take the wheels off. I already have a trolling motor that I got for an inflatable I sold last year. It can take an outboard up to 5.5 hp too, for bigger water. Does anyone have any experience with these? I don't want another inflatable. Tried them, didn't like them. Thanks!

I have not ridden in one. I have seen them out and about though. Mostly on lakes. They seem to do OK.

This is their web page

I fished outta one several times with two other guys in the boat.......little bit of leakage around the seams, but nothing that a coffee can couldn't handle! We were all in our early 20's, and, speaking for myself, a heckuva lighter then......It will probably work just fine for you as long as you don't push it's capacity.

Could it be used to go out on larger bodies of water? Like Lake Samammish or Lake Washington? With the outboard, I mean.

Sure you could use it on a big lake. I would practice on a small lake first though. Lakes like WA and Samm can get very rough in a hurry. You don't want to get caught out there when the big waves kick up.

A guy I work with has one,he's a big dude,goes about 275lbs. He goes out with his friend all the time,he's a bit smaller. I ran into them at a nearby lake and the boat they had,didn't leak a drop in 3hrs of fishing. Not that porta-boats can't leak,it's just this one didn't.

Saw one this summer while camping on Mayfield Lake. Looked pretty darned cool to me! I was surprised how stable it was. He carried it down to the water, put the seats in, brought down a small motor and off he went! I see a lot of them on the sides of motor homes on the highway, looks like a great way to carry a boat when you don't have the means to pull one.

For anyone who was interested, here is the response I got from the vendor a few days ago with their current show prices. I also posted this on the main forum, but this is for those who might be interested and don't read that board.

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Thanks for contacting Porta-Bote.

Porta-Bote is a unique folding, portable boat that actually folds to
4 inches (10 cm) flat. It's ideal for the fishing, boating, sailing,
hunting and camping enthusiast who lacks the space to
store or transport ordinary boats.

Here are the current 2003 factory SHOW prices, valid through Feb 3rd, 2003:

COLORS Pacific Pearl Olive Drab Aluminum Gray

8' Porta-Bote, (List Price: $1705) Factory SHOW Price: $1,149
10' Porta-Bote, (List Price: $1745) Factory SHOW Price: $1,199
12' Porta-Bote, (List Price: $1795) Factory SHOW Price: $1,249

Sailkit - New Model, $499
Porta-Sunshade, $159
Porta-Dolly III, $179
Pair Oars/Oar Locks, FREE
Pair RV Mounts, $129
Pair Cartop Straps, $39
Trolling Mount, $59
3.5 HP Nissan Outboard (8',10',12'), $725
4.0 HP 4 Stroke Nissan Outboard (10',12'), $995
5.0 HP 4 Stroke Nissan Outboard (10',12'), $1,149
6.0 HP 4 Stroke Nissan Outboard (12'), $1,225
2 Step EZ Boat Opener, FREE
Freight (Regularly $285) Factory SHOW Special: FREE

We guarantee a lower price than Cabela's. Please come see us at:

The Washington Sportsmen's Show
Western Washington Fairground
Puyallup, WA
Jan 22 - 26

Luke will be our representative. You can reach him at 208-630-4748.

Or call our office to place your order.

Please call our office toll free at 1-800-227-8882
Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm (Pacific time)
to order at these special prices.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

Best regards,
Paul Mintz & Tine Gildersleeve
Sales Department, Porta-Bote International

I have a 12' Porta-bote and it's great. It carries three adults no problem. It's a bit unwieldy for one person when it's folded up, but not ridiculously so. I don't have a gas motor yet, but a 40 lb thrust electric works great for propulsion if you're not going far. I would definitely get a small outboard though if you're going out on big water, in case the wind comes up and you have to get in quick.

One pointer: I got mine last spring for $600--INCLUDING the wheels and oars which each sell for $100-something--by buying the boat used out of the classified ads. Check both the little nickel and seattle times.

Also, the wheels are pretty big and unless you want to padlock them to the dock you'll have to toss them in the front of the boat so as not to have to walk back up to your car. You probably will want the 12' rather than the 10'.

Ours is six years old and the seams don't leak a drop.

Good luck!

I'm thinking I want to get one of the new ones, because in the last year or two, the design of the seats changed slightly. They're now plastic, and can be folded, which is an important consideration when you'll be transporting it about in a very small car like my Corolla. I have a 42lb thrust trolling motor, so I think I'm going to be saving the gas engine purchase for next year. I definitely want the wheels, though. Even though they're way overpriced at $180.

I went to the Sportsman's show yesterday, and they had a 12'6" model set up. After looking it over, I ended up ordering the 10'6" model, because eventually I'm going to have to store it in an apartment, and those extra 2 feet could make a difference between being able to fit it through the front door or not. Plus the 12'6" model looked kinda big for one person to handle alone, which is how I do most of my fishing. I'll be sure and let everyone know how it performs over the summer!