
Flexibility
is what makes the Porta-Bote to be such a great watercraft.
The secret in the Porta-Bote's flexibility is latent
in its high-impact polypropylene hull, a high quality
material that allows folding this unique portable boat
without damaging it.
The
polypropylene of which the Porta-Bote's hull is made,
also compounds some products which required to stand
in a very high standards such as in bullet-proof vests,
car bumpers, rust proof highway signs, fibers for carpeting,
house wares, refrigerator parts, bottles and bottle
caps, medical products, fishing tackle boxes, and much
more. As the polypropylene is highly resistant to extreme
temperatures and chemical harm and also has excellent
moisture barrier properties and good fatigue resistance,
it is absolutely the perfect material in which to compose
the Porta-Bote.
Polypropylene
copolymer is an exotic engineered resin originally developed
by the U.S Aero-Space industry. This material has unique
properties such as the fact that the boat's hinges can
take stress of over 90,000 pounds per square inch. The
hinges have been designed so that the higher the pressure
on the hinge, the more it wants to remain sealed. The
Porta-Bote Polypropylene hinges have been modulus tested
at a rate of over 500,000 openings and closings without
a single failure. Original manufacturer DuPont conducted
the tests and found the material actually became stronger
after 500,000 folds. The fact that this material is
impervious to acid made it a component in lifetime batteries.
The Porta-Bote's
Polypropylene hull is almost 1/4 inches thick, twice
as thick as an aluminum boat hull. This fact guarantees
total puncture proof even when meet sharp rocks or coral
reefs. In addition, the Porta-Bote utilizes a ultra-violet
filter that renders the hull to be resistible to saltwater
and fire.
When a
strong wave slams against the side of the Porta-Bote's
hull, the polypropylene flexes inwards with approximately
12%. This immediately dissipates the energy of the wave
and actually disperses its force by over 90%, making
the Porta-Bote to be almost un-capsized.
The
superior hull design of the Porta-Bote creates a distinctive
stability. Its patented concave cupped bottom locks
onto the water's surface. Yet, it easily glides over
logs and limbs and keeps the people on it almost completely
dry even in high winds. The folding Porta-Bote hulls
weigh just 49 lbs (21 kg), 59 lbs (26 kg) and 69 lbs
(31 kg) respectively, half as much as aluminum boats
or fiberglass hulls.
In order
to emphasis its extreme resistibility; the indestructible
polypropylene material also compounds some products
which require to stand in a very high standards such
as in bullet-proof vests, automobile bumpers, rust proof
highway signs and in the aero-space industry, not to
mention its use as an rescue craft by many municipalities
worldwide. Nevertheless, the Porta-Bote stands in all
U.S coast guard specifications and standards and is
also certified by the National Marine Manufacturers
Association (NMMA) and the European Union Manufacturers
Association.
Porta-Bote
or Inflatable kayaks?
Inflatable kayaks suit people who like to row on rivers
with rough terrain, where getting a regular boat could
be quite tricky. Inflatable kayaks can be inflated at
the spot and so, they offer a rather easy approach to
the river or from it. However, nothing in life is perfect,
and so are Inflatable kayaks. Their PVC hull is extremely
susceptible to punctures, and a puncture spells disappointment.
In fact, when considering the advantages of Inflatable
kayaks, the main thing which pops into mind it their
portability, and the fact that they fit for 2 rowers.
Porta
Bote does all that and more – when folded, Porta
Bote resembles a 4'' thick surfboard, and since it weighs
between 47 lbs. (21.kg) to 96 lbs. (43.6kg), it can
be carried easily, without a trailer and on top of a
4x4 wheel car. You can get your Porta Bote anywhere
you wish to go, whether it is the sea or a remote river.
Similar to inflatable kayaks, Porta-Bote can fit 2 rowers
easily, in its smallest model, and 5 people in its biggest.
Yet, the best advantage is that unlike inflatable kayaks,
Porta-Bote will never suffer from punctures or leaks
of air.
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