I just got back from a visit with our local Porta-Bote representative and I’m quite impressed. For a long time now my husband, Conny, and I have been wishing that we had a small boat to take backcountry camping with us. We often go on 4x4 logging roads that are too rough to pull a boat and trailer and some of these roads are quite narrow with tree branches brushing the top of the canopy that makes strapping a bulky boat on the roof not an option. We find it so frustrating to camp at the shore of a beautiful mountain lake watching the fish jumping across the water from us and not being able to reach them. It’s also frustrating camping at the side of a slow moving, meandering river and not being able to explore around the bend. Well, I think we just received the answer to our prayers! The Porta-Bote is a collapsible boat that is made of space age polypropylene. This is the same type of material that is used to make the practically indestructible bumpers on the new cars. The hull weights only 69 pounds (on the 12 foot model) and is twice as thick as an aluminum hull. The amazing thing about it is that, when it’s folded, it is 4 inches thick and 24 inches wide, like a large surfboard, so it can be strapped on top of the truck. It can facilitate the mounting of an electric or gas powered motor and has a wide beam for great stability. It’s quick and easy to assemble and super easy to carry. If you have to go very far to get to the waters edge, there is a clip-on set of wheels (the Porta-Dolly) that you can get. Other extras you can opt for are a sunshade, a sail kit should you prefer sailing to motoring and, of course, oars. Another thing that really impresses me is that, because the hull is so strong and it has such stability (almost a stable as a barge, they say), it’s perfect for bringing our very large and excitable dog, Aero, with us. This is way better than an inflatable boat. Finally we might have a chance to dine on fresh fish next time we go backcountry camping. Happy camping and boating!
