Blue Notch 4/4-4/9 2022

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First off, really nice setup on that 14' Porta Bote! I have a 12 footer (you can see it in my profile pic) and took it to Powell last year and loved it. My kids like taking it out as well. Also well-done on that 8hp Honda, for those of you new to Porta Botes, that is like the Holy Grail of motors for a PB! Max weight is supposed to be 55# or so, that rules out most 9.9s. I have a 6hp Tohatsu (Mercury) 4 stroke and it works well with just me. but put a buddy and some fishing gear in it and it maxes out at about 10mph. I'm looking for an 8hp all the time.

Big props to you for taking the kids all that way, I have 3 also so I get it. Too bad it was so windy! I was thinking of taking my 12 Footer by myself to Bullfrog 1st of May and running down lake, but now looking at your video and commentary I'm second guessing that idea. You're right, Powell is probably much different in a small boat especially in the wind and chop. Your 14 footer seems so much more stable than even my 12 footer. Your use of a trailer is interesting, I like how you rigged that up and even carried stuff inside the Bote. I think we're going to see more Porta Botes on Powell in the future.

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sparkin5280 said:
First off, really nice setup on that 14' Porta Bote! I have a 12 footer (you can see it in my profile pic) and took it to Powell last year and loved it. My kids like taking it out as well. Also well-done on that 8hp Honda, for those of you new to Porta Botes, that is like the Holy Grail of motors for a PB! Max weight is supposed to be 55# or so, that rules out most 9.9s. I have a 6hp Tohatsu (Mercury) 4 stroke and it works well with just me. but put a buddy and some fishing gear in it and it maxes out at about 10mph. I'm looking for an 8hp all the time.

Big props to you for taking the kids all that way, I have 3 also so I get it. Too bad it was so windy! I was thinking of taking my 12 Footer by myself to Bullfrog 1st of May and running down lake, but now looking at your video and commentary I'm second guessing that idea. You're right, Powell is probably much different in a small boat especially in the wind and chop. Your 14 footer seems so much more stable than even my 12 footer. Your use of a trailer is interesting, I like how you rigged that up and even carried stuff inside the Bote. I think we're going to see more Porta Botes on Powell in the future.

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I originally bought a 12' Porta-bote and found that it was a little small for my needs. The 14' is way better, but they're both great boats. I reinforced the transom to support the 8hp and it seems to work great. My plan was to put the boat on the roof, but I ran out of space and had to use it as a bath tub to haul all the gear. Good luck!
 
PFD said:
I'd definitely give it a go. If it starts to distort the boat you can always throttle back a little especially at 58 pounds. If you need me to try it out first for a few months let me know;)
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Last spring had a pretty powerful 6hp 2stroke Johnson that I used on an older Porta Bote (1999) down in Port Aransas TX. Ran great at sea level, I feel like it was closer to an 8hp here. I had also reinforced the wood transom on it but I think the problem was not the weight of it (56#) but the torque it gave to the bottom of the transom where all the folds come together (achilles heel). I developed a small leak on that boat at the seam down there I think because of the motor. On the PB forums there are some creative ways people brace the transom with the rear seat in addition to stiffening the transom. I have a newer GEN IV 2005 PB now and I hope to not develop this leak. Sticking with the 6hp is probably safer. Although I'd rather find that 8hp or a 2 stroke 9.9, reinforce everything, lauch the boat from anywhere, and just send it!


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Pro tip: Put the kid's lifejacket on first, zipped and buckled. THEN put jackets on OVER. Cold water, rough conditions, sketchy little boat. Glad you had fun but it coulda turned real bad. If they needed to swim, they could take jackets off and still have PFD on.
 
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