We LOVE it.
My wife and I like to fish on a lot of the lakes associated with State Parks and National Forests that we camp at. We were always stuck fishing from shore, because with a travel trailer you cannot pull a boat behind. (I wouldn't do it even if I had a 5'er).
It was actually my teenaged nephew who told us about his portabote. They come in 8, 10 12 and 14 foot models. I bought a 12 footer. It has 3 seats that give it rigidity and it is around 75 pounds. I can handle it myself if I have to, but usually my spouse and I carry it to the water. It can take up to about a 6 horse motor, but I just use a trolling motor. I bought the mounts for it (they are kind of pricey, I think they were around $100) but you can easily make some if you are handy. Below are some photos showing how I attached the mounts to the travel trailer. My wife was a bit skeptical about me drilling 4 holes in her new TT, but even she admitted it turned out nice. And she appreciates getting out on the lakes.
Here's a link to porta-bote's website, which has info and videos: link
There are also lots of videos on Youtube, just google porta bote videos.
Here's how I mounted mine:
1st photo - front bracket showing plastic backer board cut to match contour of RV siding.
2nd photo - rear mount test fit (this was mounted through an existing stud and inside bolts were hidden from view under the sink cabinet.
3rd photo - front bracket did not hit a stud, so had to cut interior wall and insert a "cripple stud" to keep aluminum siding from crushing.
4th photo - used 3/4" oak boards to span between existing studs and to cover the cripple stud.
5th photo - the finished job!
My wife and I like to fish on a lot of the lakes associated with State Parks and National Forests that we camp at. We were always stuck fishing from shore, because with a travel trailer you cannot pull a boat behind. (I wouldn't do it even if I had a 5'er).
It was actually my teenaged nephew who told us about his portabote. They come in 8, 10 12 and 14 foot models. I bought a 12 footer. It has 3 seats that give it rigidity and it is around 75 pounds. I can handle it myself if I have to, but usually my spouse and I carry it to the water. It can take up to about a 6 horse motor, but I just use a trolling motor. I bought the mounts for it (they are kind of pricey, I think they were around $100) but you can easily make some if you are handy. Below are some photos showing how I attached the mounts to the travel trailer. My wife was a bit skeptical about me drilling 4 holes in her new TT, but even she admitted it turned out nice. And she appreciates getting out on the lakes.
Here's a link to porta-bote's website, which has info and videos: link
There are also lots of videos on Youtube, just google porta bote videos.
Here's how I mounted mine:
1st photo - front bracket showing plastic backer board cut to match contour of RV siding.
2nd photo - rear mount test fit (this was mounted through an existing stud and inside bolts were hidden from view under the sink cabinet.
3rd photo - front bracket did not hit a stud, so had to cut interior wall and insert a "cripple stud" to keep aluminum siding from crushing.
4th photo - used 3/4" oak boards to span between existing studs and to cover the cripple stud.
5th photo - the finished job!
Here's how I mount my boat. It adds 4 inches in width to my trailer, which means it is still within the legal width limit.
The boat is a 12 foot porta-bote. It weighs about 75 pounds. The 3 seats, gear and motor go in the back of the truck. Works great and I can set it up in about 15 minutes.
The boat is a 12 foot porta-bote. It weighs about 75 pounds. The 3 seats, gear and motor go in the back of the truck. Works great and I can set it up in about 15 minutes.
