portable boat?

[Towster]

Originally Posted by bredlo

Gorgeous setup, Towster. That's just about the perfect combo, in my opinion. Do you have saggy bottom though? Looks like that Suburban's tail is hanging a little low.

It does look a little droopy, doesn't it? We didn't have our WD dual cam sway bars on for that particular trip. On subsequent trips with the sway bars, it looked much straighter and rode better too.

Every trip you take, you get just a little bit smarter.

Virginia

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Davydd

Bredlo's defense for me was outstanding.

We have motorized in our pontoon, but when traveling we love the aesthetics, pleasure, ease, and experience of canoes and kayaks. In fact this weekend we will be staying on a completely private 90 acre lake north of Brainard, MN that does not allow motorized boats of any kind. We will be taking our kayaks and enjoying following loons. A mile west is a lake that is a motorized boat zoo. I get enough of that on Lake Minnetonka.

The other place is the Boundary Waters and Quetico Provincial Park that also bans motorized boats. True wilderness and an unmatched experience best navigated with canoes. Kayaks would be a pain to portage. I think fishing from a canoe is an unparalleled experience.

And, anywhere kayaks. Our first kayaking experience was Ketchikan, Alaska in a 50 degree rain and choppy waves. Absolutely loved it in silently floating under a pair of nesting eagles. Hopefully we will find time to paddle the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior this year. Two years ago we circled Lake Superior and put our kayaks in several places. I strongly recommend Rossport, Ontario if you ever get up that way for food, lodging and kayaking in a tiny town.

So, for family fun on a cartop, I strongly recommend canoes and kayaks. If you want motorized, pull it on a trailer and get something you can really enjoy such as group partying and water skiing. But then you will have to give up your Airstream, though I did once see a train of pickup, Airstream and trailer boat on the highway once.

Sorry anyone felt you needed defending.My comments were not in the nature of an attack.

As I said all crafts have their intended purpose but to take the position that only one solution is worth considering is fine for some but not for all.

Canoes and kayaks are fine for many purposes and they are worthless for others.

As an example.I live in British Columbia that has a huge coastline and several species of salmon that I chase with a flyrod rowing a portabote.The design of the boat provides a p[erfect platform for the flycaster to stand up and cast even when the sea is a little roiled.

Also I can come home after a long day of rowing along the coastline with the help of a small motor as this is not prohibited in such waters.

This is not a good application for either a kayak or a canoe.

I also note that most posters have ignored that the portabote skin is virtually bullet proof and that it folds flat and has huge cargo capacity---all huge advantages over other craft.

Finally I believe that only those who have used all dicussed craft extensively can appreciate their differences and applications.

[silver suz]

Has anyone tried to put their airstream on a flat bottom boat- for a little variety- and quiet lakes only. silver suz

[JohnG]

I have thought about beefing the frame a bit to be able to place a hitch back there. My thoughts go to be able to tow my bass boat behind the trailer instead of having someone else tow the bass boat. The hitch weight is light, but I have read so much on extra weight being a problem on the rear of Airstreams that have the rear bath.