Portabote set up - Fishing boat (video 189)

Portabote set up - As the title says, a look at me setting up the portabote and also showing a few of the bits i've added to it so far.
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[@SailingOTR]

I have had my Porta-Bote for almost 12 years. It is older than the one you are showing so some of the bits and pieces are a little different. I love it for many of the reasons you listed in your video. The two large ABS plastic seats failed due to kids jumping on them from the dock. I built two new hollow box seats from plywood and mahogany, filling the hollow part with foam for added floatation. They're a bit heavier but have stood the test of time, about 7~8 years now. I also re-enforced the transom with two mahogany slats running athwartships and thru bolted to the transom piece at the ends. To keep the black split pipe on the gunnels from marring big boat topsides I got a piece of 1 & 1/2" (38mm) inside diameter nylon re-enforced water tubing and cut a split in it full length. This easily fit over the gunnel pipe and is fastened from the inside ONLY to the black gunnel pipe with round head SS sheet metal screws thru the nylon and into the black tube. Did this about two years ago, still working fine. Another problem I had was with the folding plastic transom piece that is stapled into the boat. Due to age and flexing this piece cracked on its centerline about 6"(150mm) up from the bottom of the dingy and for about 4"(100mm) along the bottom joint to the hull on each side of the centerline. Sealing this crack proved to be a very difficult task for a number of years since nothing I tried in the sealing / adhesive range sticks to the plastic from which the boat is made. UNTIL I stumbled upon a solution. Just for kicks I applied a a small patch(50mm X 50mm) of good old fashioned contact cement(NOT the water based stuff) to the surface of the plastic transom piece in an out of the way place and let it thoroughly dry out. Amazing! This contact cement stuck like glue(pun intended) to the plastic. In fact it stuck so well I found it near impossible to remove the test patch. BUT what really make this work to repair the cracks is...wait for it...cotton fiber. This is the stuff that is sold in most any grocery store in the baby goods or cosmetic section. Cotton balls would also work. It tales bit of fiddling but works in much the same way a fiberglass re-enforced plastic like boats. Many do not know but natural cotton fibers are quite strong. And they remain flexible along with the contact cement. I found that applying a base coat of the contact cement first and letting it go tack free is a good way to start. Then tear up the cotton into smallish pieces and stick it into place with more contact cement. Anyone experienced with applying fiberglass mat and resin will get this method pretty fast. BUT the cotton fibers and contact cement do not behave quite the same way as f/g and resin. The cotton will "wet out" just like f/g but the whole thing is quite a sticky mess to get it to go and stay where you want it. Hence "It tales bit of fiddling". I built up a number of layers doing this and made something like cotton rope applied parallel to and inside the cracks and applied more cotton over the top of this. To insure good adhesion I overlapped onto the surface about 50mm beyond the cracks. So far, something over one year now, this repair has held up 100% leak free.

[@davidholt4216]

Thanks - good video. I think I've watched about 20 assembly videos, and yours is the first that shows a close-up of the seat assembly.

[@riverpiker]

Glad it was helpful! cheers buddy

[@tps1020]

I understood about 1/3 of what he said but I still learned what I needed

[@martinstrength8532]

Good video, just got my used porta-bote, now time to try and put it together, thx!

[@chrisdixon6062]

Great boat, makes me want now

[@chrisbarclay6127]

WHAT DID HE SAY......????

[@jamesstewart9092]

Working that close to the edge of the water, I would have fell in for sure

[@riverpiker]

ha ha!!

[@valzerna]

Thanks Paul! i was looking for a kayak or something, but this looks perfect! I would buy a "normal" fishing boat, but our problem here is that we can't find a free spot on our local harbors.. All taken by tourists with yatchs :-/ , i'm on a waitlist for a place on my local harbor since 2012!!!! So this seems like the perfect solution for me!

[@riverpiker]

They are really good mate. The uk isn't very good for slipways so this is perfect for me as i can just find a spot to park near a river and then drop it in. I've even thought about sorting some wheels for it so i can build it up and then pull it across a field if needed.

[@grahamh1967]

Nice vid very informative & interesting. Looks a nice little set-up there Pal Looks well worth the initial set-up for what you get when on the water, the Fish Finder is a really useful tool ;-) Thanks for sharing, Graham.

[@riverpiker]

cheers Graham. Loads of pikers are really enjoying their portabotes. Opens up so much more water for people.

[@huntnfishnuts5880]

I can't believe it folded up that small. It also better to have the self contained outboard gas engine rather than a battery power trolling motor the battery would be 4 times the weight of the two stroke. That's a proper sonar unit you have there too. I have to say my boat is my most valuable fishing tool. It gets you to fish you could never dream of catching from the bank. Nice one Paul

[@riverpiker]

Yeah i'm still toying with the idea of an electric trolling motor. I don't really wish to add more weight. i want it all to be as easy as possible.

[@maxsparks5183]

I have a 14’ porta boat and have watched a bunch of these videos. This is the first time I’ve seen anyone who has fashioned a cushion for the seat. I am impressed with that as a lot of people paint the seats because black seats tend to get pretty miserable in strong sun. I would like for someone to tell me what the four bolts with the little circular ends on them were that appeared to go into each side of the boat.

[@kaybohm5734]

Thanks for the demo good idea with no middle seat

[@imadsho]

I wish I had the space, looks handy this!

[@greenogue10]

good video paul, id like one for my long weekends of fishing .... 😁😁😁 the misses would probably kill me if i came home with one

[@riverpiker]

They are ace mate. I'm sure she wouldn't mind at all mate, just go buy one! ha ha

[@Deathst4lker]

I'll still stick to my kayak ;) Far too much trouble for me but fun watching you put it together ;) Nice one Paul ;)

[@riverpiker]

Yeah bonus of kayak is its quick an easy. Bonus of the portabote is once you are in its more comfortable, and you can have a few more luxuries with you.

[@Deathst4lker]

Good call - there's no luxuries on the kayak ;) They're all necessities ;) I'm not good enough yet to need luxuries but I'm working on it ;)

[@saltstream]

Very enjoyable video. Just picked up a 10 foot Alpha 1 version and looking for a bag to store the seats and other stuff. Where did you get yours? Cheers. Paul

[@bryanhouse3644]

nice video. you make it look easy,

[@kawasakiwaverunning]

Nice video, i have the porta bote but missing the wood stick, can you share the dimensions of wood, thanks!

[@johnramirez5032]

You really should put the center seat in. Its a major structural piece

[@GokTurkBey]

anyone know where we can buy a porta bote in the uk

[@drewlangton]

Can't wait to get the big lures out, not long now. Was watching the two jerks and deggy vids the other day and i really like the headcam footage on them. Hopefully two jerks ep3 this winter?

[@riverpiker]

Yeah i've been thinking about that myself, i was actually watching Two Jerks series the other day and remembered how good they are. If we get a good chance on the river i will do one.

[@MarkCarp]

thanks for that paul, I guess when you've done it a few times it gets easier!

[@riverpiker]

I hope so. lol. It's not so bad in my opinion. Only a few bits to put together. With two people its done in no time but on my own i don't find it putting me off getting the boat out.

[@dennisedwards8954]

👍 I keep looking at the Portaboats but haven't committed. Did buy a canoe 'cuz of a d-mn great price though, a Portaboat is considerably more stable, and versatile. Enjoyed the vid. Also enjoyed trying to hear through the "accent". LOL!

[@riverpiker]

Hi Dennis. So many ways to go about getting on the water. I did the kayak thing first, just a cheaper mdoel, but it was a great way to get out and access some of my trickier access waters. Managed to get a bargain portabote so made the step up. I know loads of lads who love the kayaks and would never switch and same for some boat owners. I think every one has its place and is a solution for someone, you just need to find whats riht for you. But get out on river or lake far away from the crowds and just chill out and its ace, whatever you are floating on. Accent? Did i forget to put on my phone voice again! lol

[@razmac175]

Paul where did you get your big accessories bag from. Just bought a Alpha series 12 ft and need a bag for the seats paddles etc. Thank you.

[@johnq.public2621]

Thanks!

[@DualityV2_]

where do they sell this in europe?

[@brianburnell1639]

I was out with my mate fishing with a 6hp engine.it came loose and if he wasn't as quick it would be 20 ft under water.from now on he has a chain on it so it can't fall off😂😂😂

[@riverpiker]

Oh, that wouldn't have been good. We've had to jig for a lost landing net in 20ft of water but not sure we'd get back a lost engine. lol

[@amirgonzalez4592]

Where do you get it and how much does it cost? please

[@matthewbutler3663]

I love fishing

[@riverpiker]

me too buddy :)

[@piranhafish]

I have owned inflatables 14 ft fibreglass boat and a 17ft sailboat ,porta boat is a wise buy u get the best bits of all the others rolled into one nice :) i wonder how those joins or seems hold up over time ?

[@riverpiker]

Yes that's the only potential issue i'd say. I know a few lads who own the portabote and no one has had any issues. Fingers crossed eh!

[@Smuttleydog]

I've got one it's a good age . You can expect it to tear along the folds in the transom in time as mine has. But they can be repaired

[@riverpiker]

cheers for that. I actually bumped in to someone who's transom had split but he said it was because he had folded it the wrong way. He reapied his with some duct tape but what have you done?

[@Smuttleydog]

River Piker alright Paul , mine just tore in old age , repaired it with some flex seal tape . There's adverts for it on youtube also bound it together with some cable ties either side of the split . You can get them re-welded if you know a plastic welder but wouldn't know how well they'd fold after that. Its not a bad idea to carry some flex seal tape with you pal . I do .

[@riverpiker]

Nice one mate i'll check that stuff out. Like you say good idea to have some, might save a fishing trip. cheers bud

[@stoniofishing]

Is that transom the old design??

[@ralphcoolen8404]

from which temperature it is still possible to put them together. I read that it is very difficult in cold weather. Especially in the winter.

[@riverpiker]

It seems to be really stiff in winter when it is cold. I've been out in zero degrees and it's tough to open up.

[@barriewatson]

A nice video l do more or less the same (you have seen my boat ) for me with 70 it's easier with a finished boat and trailer mine empty is 100kg, I think you have made a good buy with the portabote being a serious fishermen is the cost ok and if someone has not the money he can always go with someone like you with a boat .Regards Barrie Watson

[@riverpiker]

Got to suit the boats for what you have or need. I have no storage for a boat and trailer and also i'd have to probably get a more suitable car if i did. The places i could launch a boat and trailer are very very limited. If i did buy a boat and trailer then i'd probably not fish with Ady anymore. The portabote means i canstore easy, launch on more places and gives me and Ady more options to fish.

[@barriewatson]

River Piker yes you are right about storage and to slip the boat you must always find a place, and l have a vw caddy with no four wheel drive whìch is sometimes a little hairy regards Barrie

[@ykchowaa]

how to buy where can buy in Austalia?

[@NRGDiesel]

Hi can you tell me where you got those bolts you used on the transom? Thank you.

[@riverpiker]

they came with it matey. I'm sure a local DIY place will have something similar

[@rondon08k]

Can you get rain covers for them??

[@riverpiker]

You'll struggle to get too much for them over here i think. Can't say i've seen one but i'm pretty new to the portabotes myself.

[@Vissenbijdewaterkant]

Paul do you still have the boat? Because i never see the boat in the video.

[@riverpiker]

Yeah man I do. But I also went and bought another boat. I will do a video in a month or so when the rivers open again and I can get the boats out. I now use the portabote for places where there is no easy access and my new boat where there is a boat ramp.

[@northernkuts2329]

Cool vid that Paul, they do look cool them boats. Can you just use them on a canal or do you need some sort of permission?

[@riverpiker]

You need a license. once you've navigated the worlds worst website on the canal and rivers trust page it works out at £20, if i've done it right. No frigging idea if i have. As usual, the UK love to make things totally complicated, you need a license to fart, one to breath oxygen, you get taxed on wearing a coat, insurance needed for it. What a crazy country we live in.

[@riverpiker]

Boat insurance is up to about £100 for year, though i'm still sifting through to get my best deal. Also regards boat license if you don't use them much you can get a day license for £8

[@matthewbutler3663]

I'm going later for pike

[@riverpiker]

good luck buddy

[@matthewkeys975]

I would not go on the River Aire in that 😂

[@mdfishing9998]

Used to inflate/deflate a dingy in cold absolute nightmare so bit bullet and bought a proper boat

[@riverpiker]

if you can afford one they are just ace mate. We launch Adys in under five minutes and we are away. much more comfortable and fishing from them is just ace. What boat have you got now then?

[@mdfishing9998]

River Piker got a warrior 165 least it keeps you dry if raining

[@riverpiker]

Lovely mate. yeah that is a big advantage. As you know, we mostly lure fish so we prefer the open top boat, casting deck and so on. if we were fishing the wilder waters and more bait fishing then I would be gunning for a Warrior or similar too.

[@mdfishing9998]

River Piker we only use it for trolling well tight lines plenty of vids and might see u both on river ps ( hope cas don't blow it next week )

[@riverpiker]

Gvie us a shout if you do see us pal. And me too, I reckon we have a right good chance. Squad selection is good, we are in decent form (not perfect but good). COYF

[@GokTurkBey]

They don't sell these anymore

[@DONBGWEST]

Hiya mate. I seem to be having a nightmare finding out exactly what licence/insurance I need? I just purchased a small bison rib and electric outboard (small petrol one to come). Some posts on forums have even said that even if someone did approach you whilst on the water, there is nothing they could do. Obviously I would rather licence and insure it to be legit and save any hassle! Would REALLY appreciate your feedback on this! P.S I LOVE your videos! Kind regards, Jordon

[@riverpiker]

Hi jordon. To be honest i'm no expert on it. Like you, i find it all confusing. I think if you are fishing natural rivers it is different to if you are fishing rivers that have been changed for navigation. I think those are the ones where you need to make sure you have a license. You have to register first on the canal and rivers trust website, then choose the type of license you need. River, canal, short term. It's all a bit confusing. Sometimes we will buy a day license if we only fish a river every now and again, and once you are registered it's easy to do on your phone. All that said, you only have a small rib so that's where i get confused. Often i only put my boat in places where its not actually navigable other than with our boats or kayaks etc. I think i've confused myself even more! lol

[@DONBGWEST]

Hiya mate, sorry I am only just replying, I didn’t realise you had replied! Much appreciated! I went out on a canal the other day and had the best time! I didn’t even catch anything (water visibility was probably 1-2” which is obviously not good for any type of lure/fly fishing). It was just so nice and chilled being out on the boat! Wanted to get out this weekend but as you know the weather not too good ‘oooop northh’!!! Since I started fishing for pike on the fly, I have found I have been most successful on rivers, so I really do need to get myself a petrol outboard as soon as possible. Thanks again for taking the time to reply to me, I’ll look into it some more. Tight lines and kindest regards, Jordon.

[@riverpiker]

Ace way to fish mate. Just have a tootle along and a mess around trying new spots. Seems so much more leisurley. Wait until the summer and you are just slowly drifting and napping in the sun its bloody ace.

[@DONBGWEST]

River Piker I honestly can’t wait until the summer mate! I just started using Instagram and started following :) thanks again for the replies! Might see you out on the water one day! Tight lines 👍

[@youchilled]

too much trouble for me also, stick with a kayak or small boat with a car trailer

[@riverpiker]

Obviously Ady has the boat and trailer so no point me goign that route or we'd never fish together. Good thing about the portabote now is it opens up some new water to us that the trailer can't get in. Got to suit them to what ever money, storage, waters or just what you prefer.

[@matthewbutler3663]

I'll tell you if I catch anything

[@josephcroft4268]

i am surprised how roomy they are

[@Charlesredporsche]

Good video, nice guy but what language is he speaking?

[@riverpiker]

Aye lad, eez bob on iz that lad. Tha's reyt wot tha's on abart, he speyks a bit funny.

[@rayruddick323]

Sounds like a good South Yorkshire (UK) twang to me. Makes a nice change from American English which tends to dominate the Internet . Agree, it’s a good video.

[@dennisedwards8954]

River Piker LOL!

[@denelvo]

Faffery! :-)

[@Mike-ew9zn]

What a pain in the ass! Inflatable is the way to go IMO!!!

[@gonzobongo6669]

Absolutely NOT!

[@zachburnett2433]

Yikes

[@drackkor725]

This guy talks about as bad as me but I'm American.