[Public-list] Re: Public-list Digest, Vol 450, Issue 1

[Rob Alley]

Gentlemen:  I have a 10 foot portabote which I used for some years as a 
tender. Although I still have it,  I have replaced it with an 
inflatable-- which has more to do with the need to retrieve dogs from 
the water easily than the characteristics of the portabote itself.

Lessons learned are:
1.  I built a cradle which hangs from the stantions to carry it inboard 
of the lifelines, just forward of the port genoa winch, after a boarding 
wave tried unsuccessfully (only just) to tear it off of the lifeline 
stantions to which it was tied. The cradle carries it off the deck and 
allows for proper drainage and feeding the sheet to the winch.  Carried 
forward, it increases windage at the bow too much.  More details on request.
2.   It can be assembled, in a pinch, in the space between the mast and 
the forestay, with some difficulty.  I made a lifting harness, and use 
the main or spinnicker halyard to lift in and out of the water.   Easy 
to do by yourself.
3.   Most of the time, I assembled it on the dock and hauled behind 
using a polypropylene painter--which floats.  However, when trailed 
behind, the portabote has many of the characteristics of a canoe, and 
MUST be fitted with trailing warps (or a loop).  Without drag to slow it 
down, it will race froward to the end of its painter down a wave, 
broach, roll, and fill.
4.   It is an extremely effective sea anchor.

That said,  I found it pleasant to use, row, and work on--The only 
negative I have found is that the quality of the plywood used to make up 
the seats and transom leaves something to be desired.  I am sure the 
manufacturer specified marine ply--I am not sure they got it, or the 
best quality of it.

Best,
Rob


John wrote:

>Richard, I've often wondered about the PortaBote as a dinghy for the A30. It 
>looks like a good solution. A couple of questions:
> 1) Do you assemble it on the yacht, or in the water? If on the yacht, where 
>do you find the space to do it? 
> 2) Can it be launched and retrieved by one person?
> Thanks,
> John #284
> On 8/26/05, Richard Mair <fullkeel2000 at yahoo.ca> wrote: 
>  
>
>>Re Dingy. We use a porta-bote. Folds up like a surfboard and lashed to 
>>Stanchions. Working on putting it more inboard. It will fit inside if the 
>>weather gets really bad. At 46 lbs it is easy to launch and retrive. We love 
>>it.
>>
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>>
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