On Sun, 07 Dec 2003 10:45:46 +0000, Ron Patterson wrote:


My question is about dinghies. I do not have a dinghy and am undecided about
what kind to buy. I have been thinking about inflatables, particularly the
Achilles LSR 96 or LSR 104. This inflatable can fold up and be stowed away
while offshore, which is something absolutely necessary as far as I am
concerned.

However I came across a rigid dinghy that folds and can be stowed on deck.
This is called the Porta-Bote. http://porta-bote.com/ Does anyone know
anything about this boat? I have sent for information and pricing but I was
would like an opinion from someone who actually has one, or has seen one. I
was wondering about the reliability of the boat. Will the folding seams crack
and leak?


Hi,

As usual, you need to work out how you will be using a boat before you can
make a good decision on buying one.

The main drawback I see to inflatables is that they don't row well. I like
rowing around anchorages and marinas, as an end to itself as well as as a means
to get somewhere. There's also sailing - would you want to be able to sail the
dinghy?

If "no" to both, and you only want the dinghy to get you and your crew from
boat to shore, then an inflatable or portabote is probably the best. I THINK an
inflatable (rigid floor, large outboard) would be better if you're thinking of
using the dinghy for more adventurous exploration, such as fishing, etc. outside
the anchorage.

I prefer a boat I can row, but what I've observed is:
1. Portabote owners seem to really, REALLY like their boat, to the extent that
they can find nothing wrong with them (This concerns me: EVERY boat has it's
flaws...). They're like Mac owners.
2. The vast majority of "get-you-there" dinghies are inflatables, but for some
reason they all seem to be stored inflated. I've seem them stored on deck, on
davits, lashed to the roof of hardtops, towed behind... I don't think I've EVER
seem somebody inflate/deflate their dinghy. Donno why - just an observation.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36
"Near Cove" Walker Bay 8