Re: [Paddlewise] hardshell/foldable debate and the Klepper expedition

If you have fallen in love with kayaking, and you realize you will be kayaking
for years to come, you may already have become a "collector".  You probably have
more than one kayak, and you're keeping your eyes open for your next one.  If
this applies to you, definitely keep folding kayaks high on your list.
Eventually you will spot a used folder at the right price.  Ralph's newsletter
is a good place to start.  Buy a used boat cheap and find out for yourself.  And
on your next vacation to the Greek Isles, take your kayak.  If you don't like
it, you can put it back on the market and probably get what you paid for it, if
not more.
Hardshell / foldable?  I'd say: yes.
swingin' both ways,

Keith

Peter Osman wrote:

> >N.D. VAN LOO wrote: -
>
> >We have a simple question: Can anyone convince us that buying a
> >foldable double instead of a hardshell is a stupid and crazy idea?
>
> As a novice kayaker I was faced with a similar decision 6 months ago and
> decided to hire hardshells for use in quiet water and to buy a Klepper
> Aerius Expedition foldable for use at sea. Before the purchase I read
> Ralph's book cover to cover. Storability, transportability, safety, and the
> joy/ease of assembly were paramount in the decision. Some observations:
>
>         Assembly:- It's very easy to put together, taking 1/2 to 3/4 hour
> both to assemble and to disassemble including adding:- flotation, compass,
> rudder, daytrip luggage, packing/unpacking the bags, drying the wooden
> components. Basic assembly with no accessories takes 15-20 minutes without
> rushing. Assembly is much more pleasant on grass than on sand. Strategic
> packing with two towels speeds packing the wooden components, which
> otherwise tend to tip about. I find assembly a very pleasant start to
> paddling but not everyone may feel this way.
>         Performance:- The Klepper Aerius Expedition seems slower than about
> half the hardshell sea kayaks I come across except in moderate to heavy seas
> when it tends to keep up or overtake. (A hardshell owner in turbulent water
> once shouted behind me "look at that Klepper go" - it was great).  If your
> group paddles fast in calm water you may struggle to keep up. The Klepper
> Aerius Expedition needs a fair bit of strength to maintain its top speed
> over long periods.
>         Safety:- The Klepper Aerius is well known for its outstanding
> stability and seaworthiness. My local sea kayak club normally require the
> ability to eskimo roll a hardshell for higher grade trips. However, they are
> flexible and will probably allow an exemption for Aerius users. Clearly the
> need for good bracing and self rescue skills is still essential.
>         Maintenance:-   Allow about 1/2 an hour cleaning and stowage time at
> home (mainly rinsing with fresh water) and about 1 or 2 days to dry it out
> before packing it away. To dry the skin I support it on towels over 4
> sawhorses under a veranda. Regular use of Klepper wax/303 UV protectant for
> the hull and fittings (particularly the seam which folds into the coaming
> groove) is highly desirable but only takes a few minutes. I'm also using 303
> fabricguard on the deck on the advice of a friend who has used it regularly
> on his Klepper to protect against UV. Mild soap/detergent seems to remove
> the expensive 303 fabricguard so I'm now using fresh water only to clean the
> deck.
>
> I've not regretted the decision although its about the most expensive kayak
> I've heard of. When trying to keep up with faster paddlers I'm less than
> thankful. When in roughish water I'm very thankful. Good luck, Petero.
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