Looking for a small row/motor boat, mostly to mess around in Lake
Washington, Seattle area. Porta-Bote makes an 8.6 foot model,
wondering if this is too small for two people. Nice to have lighter
weight and shorter length for storage, but maybe the 10.8 foot or 12.6
foot boat would be more practical or handle significantly better?

Anything comparable to the Porta-Bote that might be worth looking at?
Or maybe there's a portable kayak/motor boat out there?

Thanks!

I know that Porta-Bote has come out with a flat transom model in the last 8
years or so.

I have heard that it does well with a outboard motor ( I don't know what
size)..

The original 'canoe' like Porta-Bote was certainly capable of carrying two
people plus their gear.. A few cruiser used them and I know how much load a
cruiser might load (fuel and water cans, etc.).

To be honest, I have never heard of anyone compalaining about lack of load
carrying capacity.

I'm sure the would handle your intented use on Lake Washington.

--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Steve,

It comes in 8, 10 and 12 feet but most buy the 12 ' model. I have read a lot
about them and seen lots of them on the side of RVs. I read that they work
well with a 6hp, 57# Nisson/Tahatsu 4 stroke outboard. I did read that it
take a little time to get use to the soft floor. It does take a little time
to put together.

Another choice is a V-bow standard 12' aluminum boat ?

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA
www.kiene.com

"Steve" wrote in message
...

Looking for a small row/motor boat, mostly to mess around in Lake
Washington, Seattle area. Porta-Bote makes an 8.6 foot model,
wondering if this is too small for two people. Nice to have lighter
weight and shorter length for storage, but maybe the 10.8 foot or 12.6
foot boat would be more practical or handle significantly better?

Anything comparable to the Porta-Bote that might be worth looking at?
Or maybe there's a portable kayak/motor boat out there?

Thanks!

"Bill Kiene" wrote:
Looking for a small row/motor boat, mostly to mess around in Lake
Washington, Seattle area. Porta-Bote makes an 8.6 foot model,
wondering if this is too small for two people. Nice to have lighter
weight and shorter length for storage, but maybe the 10.8 foot or 12.6
foot boat would be more practical or handle significantly better?

Anything comparable to the Porta-Bote that might be worth looking at?
Or maybe there's a portable kayak/motor boat out there?

It comes in 8, 10 and 12 feet but most buy the 12 ' model. I have read a lot
about them and seen lots of them on the side of RVs. I read that they work
well with a 6hp, 57# Nisson/Tahatsu 4 stroke outboard. I did read that it
take a little time to get use to the soft floor. It does take a little time
to put together.

Thanks Bill. Any elaboration on why the 12 footer might be a better
choice? Hate to trade off the size and weight if I don't have to...

Steve,

We were talking to a Porta-Bote factory rep at an RV show and he said the
12' model out sold everything but we did not hear why. I would imagine that
it is because they are not much more to haul around and can hold two people
very well.

He gave me a toll free number where you can call the factory and mention his
name and get a better deal. The factory is in Mountain View, California
which is somewhere near San Francisco.

Call: 1-800-227-8882 and mention his name, "Jim Whitelaw" and they will
give you a special factory direct price.

He said that they sell a few 8' models to wildlife photographers because
they are lighter and hold one person well.

--
Bill Kiene

Kiene's Fly Shop
Sacramento, CA
www.kiene.com

"Steve" wrote in message
...

"Bill Kiene" wrote:

Looking for a small row/motor boat, mostly to mess around in Lake
Washington, Seattle area. Porta-Bote makes an 8.6 foot model,
wondering if this is too small for two people. Nice to have lighter
weight and shorter length for storage, but maybe the 10.8 foot or 12.6
foot boat would be more practical or handle significantly better?

Anything comparable to the Porta-Bote that might be worth looking at?
Or maybe there's a portable kayak/motor boat out there?

It comes in 8, 10 and 12 feet but most buy the 12 ' model. I have read a
lot
about them and seen lots of them on the side of RVs. I read that they
work
well with a 6hp, 57# Nisson/Tahatsu 4 stroke outboard. I did read that it
take a little time to get use to the soft floor. It does take a little
time
to put together.

Thanks Bill. Any elaboration on why the 12 footer might be a better
choice? Hate to trade off the size and weight if I don't have to...

I have a 14' 3-bench aluminum boat, and by the time I add the necessary
safety equipment, fishing tackle, and a medium-size cooler, it's tight for
two people, unless they don't need to move around the boat (highly
unlikely). So, 8-foot-something sounds tight to me.

"Steve" wrote in message
...
Looking for a small row/motor boat, mostly to mess around in Lake
Washington, Seattle area. Porta-Bote makes an 8.6 foot model,
wondering if this is too small for two people. Nice to have lighter
weight and shorter length for storage, but maybe the 10.8 foot or 12.6
foot boat would be more practical or handle significantly better?

Anything comparable to the Porta-Bote that might be worth looking at?
Or maybe there's a portable kayak/motor boat out there?

Thanks!