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 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... Thanks, Allison *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Allison, The last issue of Ralph's folding kayak newsletter talks about long term, assembled storage of folding kayaks. Basically, it depends on the particular kayak, but it works just fine to leave them assembled. I leave mine (a wonderful Khatsalano) assembled all summer. I was amazed to read in Ralph's newsletter, that some people leave their boats together for a couple years! As for durability, they are less durable in some ways and more durable in others. They are less durable in that it is easier to punch a hole in hapalon than it is in fiber glass. I learned this the hard way last week when I punched a hole in my Khatsalano. They are more durable, however, since they are easy to patch and when a part breaks, you can just replace it. People really do get 30 years use out of the boats --- which is close enough to forever as far as I'm concerned. If you're thinking of moving overseas, a folding boat makes sense. --Tim > -----Original Message----- > From: Allison Corning [SMTP:acorning_at_hotmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 1999 8:32 AM > To: CHUCK_at_multitech.com; paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: [Paddlewise] a folding kayak question > > 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 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... > > Thanks, > Allison > > > ************************************************************************** > * > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > ************************************************************************** > * *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: Allison Corning <acorning_at_hotmail.com> To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Wednesday, June 30, 1999 9:54 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] a folding kayak question >I have a question for all of you with folding kayaks- (Big Snip)....and this guy's web page has all the answers! :) http://www.mich.com/~mje/kayak.html Hope you find it helpful. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Allison Corning wrote: > > 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 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... > > Thanks, > Allison Ralph Diaz is probably the most knowledgeable folding kayak expert on the list and will probably respond, but here's my .02. I have quite a few acquaintances who paddle folders (folding kayaks seem pretty popular in SE Alaska) who typically leave their kayaks assembled. No problems with the "skin" stretching or anything like that. It _is_ important to periodically take the frame apart and clean/lubricate the joints and fittings, otherwise you might eventually end up with a permanently assembled (non)folder. With normal use (whatever that is<g>) a breakdown and cleaning several times a year should be fine. Dave Seng currently "courting" a used Nautiraid Raid 2 Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Allison, I have had a Feathercraft K-Light for about 5 years and keep it assembled all of the time except when I need take it on an airplane. I keep it assembled because it takes too long to take apart and put together each time I use it. I use a car top rack to transport it in the So. Calif. area. I have had no problem with it stretching. I keep it hanging from the ceiling of my garage. As far as durability it still looks almost new except the color has faded some. I take it out 2 or 3 times a month. I have had few problems except for one hole that was very easy to patch. It's as easy as repairing a bicycle tire tube. I also had a few pinholes but one coat of sealant over the holes solved the problem. I also spray the cloth top with 303 Protectant once a year. But if you often land in high surf or on shores that have mussel covered rocks you might not want a foldable for your only kayak. Shep On Wed, 30 Jun 1999 08:31:40 PDT Allison Corning <acorning_at_hotmail.com> writes: >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 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... > >Thanks, >Allison > > >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ >*************************************************************************** ________________________________________________________________ Get free e-mail you don't need Web access to use -- Or get full, reliable Internet access from Juno Web! Download your free software today: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagh. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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/ ***************************************************************************
Sorry I didn't jump in earlier with a response to this question but I was doing the unthinkable today...paddling!!! As others have told Allison, you can certainly leave a folding kayak assembled for quite a long period of time, which varies by the manufacturer and particular model. The most finicky models are the Feathercrafts because they have lots of male/female aluminum tube connections with very close tolerances. But even they can be left assembled for many months. Feathercraft is recommending in its latest literature (for the last 2 years or so) not leaving boats like the K-Light assembled for more than 3 months. But today I helped a fellow take apart his K-Light today that had been left assembled since October. No problem except he had forgotten how to do it and that is why I was called over while lulling around in an SOT awash with the cooling waters of the Hudson while watching the NYC skyline. I keep getting tips on keeping foldables assembled. The greatest and latest one is to place a plastic grocery bag over the bow and stern ends of the frame prior to inserting them into the skin. This makes the parts slide easier into the skin and keeps the frame from sticking in the skin. When helping this fellow today (who didn't know about the plastic bag trick) one frame half was stuck at the bow end of the skin. I managed to free it by twisting the nose of the boat's hull and deck. Sometimes adhesion develops between the frame end and the skin. The plastic bag works wonders. But if you don't have one in there, twisting and banging on the skin will relieve the tension. Someone else said that he left his K-Light assembled because it took too long to assemble and take down. It is really just a 15 minute job to make one and about 5 minutes to knock down. It is just a matter of practice and technique. Some foldable do however take in the half hour and longer range to assemble even for an expert. What's the fast boat to assemble and knock down? Probably the Klepper double. I have seen it done in 4 minutes!!! My wife and I can make it in 7 minutes. We did so for Pete Seeger's Clearwater Festival a few years ago to draw people into getting interested in the ACA and local paddling clubs. Someone videotaped us and we did it in such a non-chalant fashion that was unhurried. And we still got it done that quickly. I have about a zillion tips on assembly that would take so much bandwidth that it would drive people on Paddlewise nuts. But assembly really is easy on most foldables. Look at the instructions and video. Just make the frame a few times. Move around as you assemble to get the best leverage for each step. Take notes of actions that work, etc. Even while I find assembly not difficult, I do keep several boats assembled. Not because of assembly times but rather because I live in a walkup apartment and lugging the kayak bags up three flights of stairs is a real drag at the end of the day. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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