Porta-bote Again
June 16th, 2007 by: joshuaWell we’re tired of talking about our porta-bote seat and transom woes, but I promised Sandy (the president of porta-bote) that I would follow up when we received the new parts. After much confusion on everyone’s part and far too many emails, porta-bote lived up to it’s promise to replace our transom and seats under warranty (even though it had officially expired when we reported problems). Thanks porta-bote! We didn’t even have to pay for shipping. The new seats we received appear to be identical to the old ones. However, the transom has reinforcing at the bottom near the center. I’m not sure it’s enough, but I take this as a good sign that porta-bote is exploring ways to reduce the incidents of transom and seat failure.
[Closeup of reinforcing on the new transom]
This is a follow up to older stories:
1.3-Year Porta-Bote and Kayak Review
Follow-up Porta-bote Review and Aftermath
Porta-bote Redux Redux
September 6th, 2007 at 9:21 am
[...] Follow-up Porta-bote Review and Aftermath Porta-bote Redux Redux Porta-bote again [...]
September 26th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Hello all - I recently aquired the 14′ model and I am extremely pleased with the overall product - upon receipt of the original craft, I immediatley knew the transom was not of adequate design - I immediatly fashioned a reinforced transom insert and seatbackings out of 1/4″ 5016 aluminum - no problems at all - I have further manufactured aluminum brackets to fit directly on ice chest sides to replace one of the aft seats - the sides were also giving me difficulty upon accelaration under the power of my 4 stroke yamaha - I resolved this issue as well by lacing a 2″ heavy duty ratchet strap around the top of the sides of the boat - and securing the strap to the reinforced transom using a pair of D hooks - the boat performs flawlessly I have gotten the boat to 40 mph and not a single worry or problem at all! - I further used alodyne to coat the 5016 alloy in a light gold color to prevent corrosion and oxidation and i can tell you this is the best small craft I have ever purchased - Granted the time and materials were pricey but what a great boat now - WOW!! If anyone is interested in a mod “kit” for their boats to make the craft perform as it should from the factory - I might manufacture these if there is enough interest.
thanks
May 14th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Gubby,
Do you have pictures of your mods, along with a price quote? I’m interested in your mod kit. But I’d like to see some pictures first, if you don’t mind. Send them to winterdeal@hotmail.com. Thanks. David
May 25th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I’d be interested in a upgraded transom for my 12′ porta-bote if you have an interest! Thanks a lot and great work!
jcalderwood07 [at] gmail.com
July 20th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I might be interested in that upgrade/mod kit for my 14′ Porta-Bote. Pleases send pictures to halljmichael@aol.com