Folding Kayak Resources


Kayaking pics

Folding kayaks are probably as close to the original Aleut and Inuit kayaks as we are ever going to get. Now hypalon and aluminum have replaced the seal skins and driftwood, but the design and the feeling of the new folders are essentially the same. Unlike hardshell boats, folding boats flex and move with the water, not against it - giving you greater stability and letting you use all that energy you've been wasting fighting the water to paddle longer.

Folding kayaks are also incredibly versatile - carry it on your roof rack to the local fishing hole, put a mast on it and go for a sail, fold it up into a couple of travel bags and go paddle a remote lake - it doesn't matter, it's all good.

Here are some folding kayak resources the I've sound useful in buying our Folbot Greenland II.

Folding Boat Builders

They seem to be getting popular again, and there are a whole lot more builders than you'ld think there would be.

  Folbot - yeah, the list should be alphabetical, but I've got a soft spot in my heart for these guys. Great boats, great value, great folks to deal with
  Feathercraft - love their K2
  Klepper - das boat, ja
  Long Haul - the new/old kid on the block, offering Klepper-esque designs plus some inovations of their own
  Nautiraid - the folder NATO uses
  Pouch - free your mind and your boat will follow (at least I think that's what it says - German site)
Pouch Boats - Ralph Hoehn's English site

General Information on Folders

  Bagboater - a Yahoo group devoted to foldable kayaks and boats
  Baidarka Boats - Folding kayaks, Sea kayaks, gear, kayak rentals, trips, tours, & good, solid advice for paddlers
  Complete Folding Kayaker, Second Edition by Ralph Diaz - buy this book, now!
  Folding Kayak FAQ - from Ralph Diaz's 1994 book
  Foldingkayaks.org - The site for information on folding kayaks
  PaddleWise Folding Kayaks FAQ - an excellent explanation of folding kayaks and a good mailing list
  Paddling.net, Folding Kayaks and Canoes article - nice folding resource and a decent overall site

Folbot Goodies

  Folbot Users' Forum - great group of very knowledgeable folks
  KERO Inc. - Canadian distributor of Taimen, Folbot, Pakboats, and FoldLite
  'Toblof' Folbot Super - a UK folders with some great modifications
  William Longyard's Folbot Modification Page - excellent modification to several Folbots that are used to tour Europe
  Folbot GII Modifications - Matt's very fine mods
  Thomas Brown's Rudder Mods - great rudder pedals built out of PVC.

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