I just compared written assembly instructions to the Feathercraft video assembly and notice that while the coaming is installed as step 9 in the written instructions (before the large crossribs are installed), the video version installs the coaming at something like step 13.... AFTER the crossribs are installed. I have been following written instructions exactly. I wonder if that might be contributing to the difficulty I have getting the crossribs in place? I will try next assembly as performed in the video.... Karen -- Karen Hancock San Clemente, CA magpi_at_access1.net 949/487-2602 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> From: Karen H. [mailto:magpi_at_access1.net] snip > video version installs the coaming at something like step 13.... AFTER > the crossribs are installed. I have been following written > instructions > exactly. STEP 13!!! sheesh. Now I remember why I paddle a hardshell<vbg>: Step 1 - Take Kayak off of truck Step 2 - Carry Kayak to shoreline Step 3 - Get in Kayak and paddle Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Karen H. wrote: > > I just compared written assembly instructions to the Feathercraft video > assembly and notice that while the coaming is installed as step 9 in the > written instructions (before the large crossribs are installed), the > video version installs the coaming at something like step 13.... AFTER > the crossribs are installed. I have been following written instructions > exactly. I wonder if that might be contributing to the difficulty I have > getting the crossribs in place? I will try next assembly as performed in > the video.... > Karen I always put the coaming on after the frame is fully in place with all crossribs in position. But make certain that the webbing straps that hooking around the crossribs are NOT connected prior to putting on the coaming. If the straps are connected first, they may hinder putting the deck bead into the slot on the coaming. I have not seen the videos in awhile but I do know that the written instruction did have the coaming put on earlier. That is kind of a holdover mentally from the first version of the K-Light. That boat had a real tight skin and an aluminum two piece coaming. That arrangement did not hold the deck real well. You actually put the coaming on just after inserting the frame halves and before you even extended the keelbar. Otherwise you would hardly have a hope of putting on the coaming afterwards. ralph -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I noticed that the first time I put my K-Light together. I finally decided the video method made more sense. I also e-mailed Feathercraft about the discrepancy and received a reply that they'd look into it. -----Original Message----- From: Karen H. <magpi_at_access1.net> To: Paddlewise <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 5:32 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] K-Light assembly >I just compared written assembly instructions to the Feathercraft video >assembly and notice that while the coaming is installed as step 9 in the >written instructions (before the large crossribs are installed), the >video version installs the coaming at something like step 13.... AFTER >the crossribs are installed. I have been following written instructions >exactly. I wonder if that might be contributing to the difficulty I have >getting the crossribs in place? I will try next assembly as performed in >the video.... >Karen >-- >Karen Hancock >San Clemente, CA >magpi_at_access1.net >949/487-2602 >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Guess I'm a little late for this thread. Been busy ..... I think the K-Light might just go down in the history books as the best folding kayak ever invented. Yes there are a number of steps to get the thing assembled, but there are a lot of advantages to a folder (first and foremost: they fly -- albeit in the baggage compartment). I didn't read all the posts on this thread but my two cents is to get the hatches -- both forward and aft. They can be added on at the factory. Megan and I bought our K-Lights about a year and a half ago. I saw the advantage to getting the rear hatch because it would aid in stuffing gear into the stern area. She opted for a forward hatch in addition to the rear hatch. I couldn't see the point (who needs a hatch when you don't have bulkheads?) and opted to save $50 or so by leaving it out. After a couple trips with the boats I air shipped my boat back to Vancouver to have the front hatch installed (cost me $100, but it was well worth it). Besides the obvious reason to have hatches you also get the ability to move the bow and stern frame pieces into position much more easily. You can also get at the air bags much more readily, and it's easier to connect the final frame tubes into the fore and aft frame structures. And the hatch design is totally cool. No way water's getting in that way. A couple other points. There is a little velcro strap along the keel seam both fore and aft. I find if I strap it loosely around the keel tube when the frame pieces are still about 6 or 8 inches from their final destination it helps to guide the frame into place and keeps the skin symmetrical side to side. Also, if you are following the instructions, I believe you install the frame behind the seat last. Getting the shear line tubes up and into place could be the hardest part of the assembly, especially the very last one. What seems to work for me is to grab the back of the coaming in one hand and the frame behind the seat in the other and push down on the frame while pulling up on the coaming. In this way you sort of ooch any slack in the skin up toward the top of the boat. Be gentle but firm. After doing this, the last tube seems to eagerly jump into place. The K-Light is an amazing boat and defies all reason as to why it is so fast and fun to paddle. If you're in the market for a folding boat give this one serious consideration. Standard disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Feathercraft whatsoever except that I am a satisfied customer. Hope that helps. Ralph, if any of that made sense, you have my permission to use it in your folding kayak newsletter. "Karen H." wrote: > I just compared written assembly instructions to the Feathercraft video > assembly and notice that while the coaming is installed as step 9 in the > written instructions (before the large crossribs are installed), the > video version installs the coaming at something like step 13.... AFTER > the crossribs are installed. I have been following written instructions > exactly. I wonder if that might be contributing to the difficulty I have > getting the crossribs in place? I will try next assembly as performed in > the video.... > Karen > -- > Karen Hancock > San Clemente, CA > magpi_at_access1.net > 949/487-2602 > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** -- find web solutions at http://www.digitalnature.net/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:57 PDT