I have an 8.5 foot Porta-Bote. It planes with a 3.5 hp motor with two adults aboard. It is a dry ride compared to an inflatable. It weighs 60 pounds, and I hand launch and retrieve it over the side. I can unfold it or fold it on my C&C 27 foredeck. When folded, It is like having a 9 foot surfboard lashed to my lifelines. New, it cost less than half what a comparable inflatable would run, and didn't require a big heavy, expensive motor to push it. It also rows very well, like a hard dinghy, tracks straight, and tows as if it isn't there. I have dragged it over broken glass, sharp rocks and rusty metal scrap without any damage. I can climb into it from the water as it is very stable. Bottom line is that I would never buy another inflatable. I'll also never need to buy any new dinghy as this one will no doubt outlive me.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR9.TRC0.Xportabote.TRS0&_nkw=portabote&_sacat=0&_from=R40

http://www.porta-bote.com/index.php

Bill Bina



On 7/7/2013 8:37 AM, Sylvain Laplante wrote:
Hi,
Looks like this is the weak point for the AX-series ( old red Bombard, if this is what you have ). They are made of PVC-Strongan .
Mine has same problem, I took it to a repair shop last week :
350.00  to reglue a good part of the transom, fix 2 holes, re-glue one of the "cups" that hold the surrounding rope ( hand-hold )
650.00 same repairs but he replaces the transom ( inspect yours, often they are rotten in the lower corners/joints because of water intrusion ), new transom would be made of Russian plywood, supposedly the best.

I am thinking about buying a cheap new one ( most are made in China ) but after seing several in like-new condition in his shop that all need to be re-glued I am not sure what to do.. Still thinking.
If you want to repair it youeself, here is what you need:
Before you have to clean it well with MEK ( NOT acetone ).

I also learned from the shop manager that THE best product to protect everything vinyl/rubber/plastic is 303 ( aerospace protector ), he showed me a 25 years-old inflatable which is treated with this product and it still looks like new ( and much easier to apply than StarBrite and other products ).

Sylvain
C&C27MkIII



From: John McKay <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, July 6, 2013 10:27 PM
Subject: Stus-List inflatable repairs

I have a Bombard inflatable (a Zodiac product) and one of the pontoons has separated from the transom.
 
Has anyone made this repair?
 
Specifically what adhesive did you use?
 
John on Oxygen

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