My long time liveaboard friend have been using a portaboat and still love it.
(I ask everytime I see them, because this topic comes up so often.)

They have a 10 footer with an old 8hp engine. It get on plane pretty well with
the two of them plus gear, and with a guest. When shuttling a crowd to the boat
they often do extra trips rather than overload - I'm not sure if that's for
safety or efficiency.

I'll probably get one the next time I need a dink.



"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
The Norwalk boat show is an "in water" show, where you might be able
to go for a spin around the marina. Those figures sound like they were
achieved on a very still lake. Either that, or it was Scotti Potti
doing the estimating...


Well, do you think the 10 or 12 would plane with a 6HP and 2 people?

RB

I just got off the phone with Sandy at Porta-Boat. He felt the 12 version was
not needed and too long for my boat.
Current boat show pricing:
10' model with oars & locks and bow cap-$1199.00
New larger redesigned lateen sail package-$599.00
Shipping special-$89.00 in the US.
He said that with the 6HP and with 3 adults, she'd do 12-14 knots, more like 10
in chop. With me and Suzy 15-17 and with just me upwards of 20 knots under mild
conditions.
I'm thinking of ordering the whole package. The sail kit could be fun,
especially for Thomas in 4-5 years. I also like the 10 year warranty.

RB

"Bobsprit" wrote ...

He said that with the 6HP and with 3 adults, she'd do 12-14 knots
and with just me upwards of 20 knots under mild
conditions.

So, he hasn't seen you yet.

When shuttling a crowd to the boat
they often do extra trips rather than overload - I'm not sure if that's for
safety or efficiency.

I have had myself and two crew plus several days gear in my 12 footer. no
problem.

If I were to do it again, I would probably go for the ten footer, and the 12
footer is way more than big enough.