A Portabote is a versatile, robust folding boat.
I first heard of Portabotes while looking at a review on Dave Pugh’s web site (see links page). I do not have the space to garage a boat on a trailer or want one parked in my garden, so Dave’s review really got me thinking that perhaps I could have a boat after all - a folding boat was just what I needed.
After a few emails to Dave, thanks, and also to the helpful Roger and Jean at Intramore I finally took the plunge. This was such a good decision, one which I have not regretted. Getting a boat has quite simply turned my fishing around, it’s so much more productive and enjoyable.
In my personal opinion the Portabote is an ideal river fishing boat that is very stable, allowing for stand up casting with two anglers. Yes, at the end of a long day you still have to pack it all up again which can be a pain, but it’s still often quicker than doing the same with a trailered boat.... That’s assuming that the trailer is still where you left it that morning.
I have nothing against trailered boats at all, just it’s a misconception that with a trailered boat one just drives it into the water and can start fishing. A trailered boat needs time spent setting up at the start and end of the day, just like a Portabote, its just that those tasks are different.
A Portabote is not just for fishing rivers of course; it can be used on still waters and even the larger lochs, reservoirs and coastal seas in sensible weather conditions. Of course one wouldn’t want to ride out a storm on any large body of water in a small open craft! I hope you can see the point I’m trying to make...every boat of any size is a compromise to some degree, you must choose the correct boat for the waters you fish and the style of fishing that you practice.
“It's more stable than a rigid craft. It's puncture resistant and even sharp rocks won't damage the unique almost indestructible FLEXI-HULL. Equally at home on river, lake or sea (calm inshore, in my opinion) and even full of water. It is virtually unsinkable. Comfortable to sit in, roomy for moving around and steady enough for standing-up casting. Portable and durable, the Porta-Bote is easy to transport and reliable in the water.
Porta-Bote folds into a compact, lightweight and easy-to-transport package, and it unfolds to become a tough, stable and virtually unsinkable boat. Simply unfold and install the seats and you're ready for the water. Made of high-impact polypropylene, a remarkable engineered resin developed by the aerospace industry that is virtually puncture-proof and unaffected by salt, acid, almost everything.
Flexibility is the secret to its stability. When a wave slams against the side of Porta-Bote Flexi-Hull, the nearly 1/4"-thick polypropylene flexes inward, dissipating the energy. No maintenance required. The colour goes completely through-never needs painting.”
I first heard of Portabotes while looking at a review on Dave Pugh’s web site (see links page). I do not have the space to garage a boat on a trailer or want one parked in my garden, so Dave’s review really got me thinking that perhaps I could have a boat after all - a folding boat was just what I needed.
After a few emails to Dave, thanks, and also to the helpful Roger and Jean at Intramore I finally took the plunge. This was such a good decision, one which I have not regretted. Getting a boat has quite simply turned my fishing around, it’s so much more productive and enjoyable.
In my personal opinion the Portabote is an ideal river fishing boat that is very stable, allowing for stand up casting with two anglers. Yes, at the end of a long day you still have to pack it all up again which can be a pain, but it’s still often quicker than doing the same with a trailered boat.... That’s assuming that the trailer is still where you left it that morning.
I have nothing against trailered boats at all, just it’s a misconception that with a trailered boat one just drives it into the water and can start fishing. A trailered boat needs time spent setting up at the start and end of the day, just like a Portabote, its just that those tasks are different.
A Portabote is not just for fishing rivers of course; it can be used on still waters and even the larger lochs, reservoirs and coastal seas in sensible weather conditions. Of course one wouldn’t want to ride out a storm on any large body of water in a small open craft! I hope you can see the point I’m trying to make...every boat of any size is a compromise to some degree, you must choose the correct boat for the waters you fish and the style of fishing that you practice.
“It's more stable than a rigid craft. It's puncture resistant and even sharp rocks won't damage the unique almost indestructible FLEXI-HULL. Equally at home on river, lake or sea (calm inshore, in my opinion) and even full of water. It is virtually unsinkable. Comfortable to sit in, roomy for moving around and steady enough for standing-up casting. Portable and durable, the Porta-Bote is easy to transport and reliable in the water.
Porta-Bote folds into a compact, lightweight and easy-to-transport package, and it unfolds to become a tough, stable and virtually unsinkable boat. Simply unfold and install the seats and you're ready for the water. Made of high-impact polypropylene, a remarkable engineered resin developed by the aerospace industry that is virtually puncture-proof and unaffected by salt, acid, almost everything.
Flexibility is the secret to its stability. When a wave slams against the side of Porta-Bote Flexi-Hull, the nearly 1/4"-thick polypropylene flexes inward, dissipating the energy. No maintenance required. The colour goes completely through-never needs painting.”