Re: [Paddlewise] a folding kayak question

At 08:31 AM 6/30/99 PDT, Allison Corning wrote:
>Hi all-
>
>I have a question for all of you with folding kayaks- I don't own one (yet) 
>but happen to think they are extremely cool, and I was curious about 
>something- what happens if you store your kayak assembled? Is a folding 
>Kayak something that you would have the option of storing in or out of the 
>bag? If you live next to a launch and go out every day do you have to 
>assemble and take apart the boat every single time? Does the material they 
>are made out of stretch over time if they are used frequently?
>

I have been using a Feathercraft K1 as my main boat for that last year.  I
have left it assembled all of the time except for one trip and a couple of
"take apart, lube, reassemble" sessions.

I don't see any evidence of stretch.  With proper lubrication two to three
times a year, I don't see any reason not to leave it assembled all the time.  

When I bought the boat, Doug Simpson of Feathercraft suggested that I keep
it lubed with Boshield T9 (made by Boeing and available at marine
supplies).  I have done just that and it has kept corosion and sticky
joints to a minimum ( on the boat, I haven't tried it on myself yet :-) ).
Boshield T9 is great for everything metal that you plan to take near water.

>I may end up living overseas and I like the idea of a kayak that is so 
>portable-something I could take with me to a wide variety of places, but I 
>was wondering about the day to day durability of them...
>

It is great that it is portable and the bonus is that I like how it
paddles.  The K1 has been a great boat to camp out of.  They say that with
proper care these hulls will outlast plastic or fiberglass boats.

I don't know anyone who has bought one of these and regretted it.


Bob Tellefson
Santa Barbara Kayak Assocation
http://www.sbka.org

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************