Re: [Paddlewise] Aluminum on Kayaks

From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 09:43:59 -0700
Gabriel L Romeu wrote:
> 
> Ralph, is the 6061 anodized or powder coated?
> 
> regards, gabriel

To my knowledge it is fully anodized.  Feathercraft is very picky about
where it sources materials.  In the case of their aluminum, for example,
they source from the US rather than any Canadian source despite the
foreign exchange penalty and the clear brownie points they would get
from soucing locally.  They found the US source superior in the
anodizing.  Same with the hypalon skins (which were used on the boats
until just last year before switching to new skins and new
technologies).  They went all the way to France to source it, again
because they deemed the French hypalon best (I know it is what Nautiraid
uses too and, from my empirical knowledge of foldables, seems superior
in wear characteristics).

People ask why Feathercrafts cost so much.  The materials are part of
the reason why a Khatsalano or K-1 runs in the $4K range.  The real
bargain, in my estimation, was the K-Light and now its successor the
Kahuna, a 35 pound boat about 15 feet in length with fine on-the-water
characteristics as well as ease of portability and within a range of
acceptable assembly times (20 minutes or so).  It costs $2,280 complete
with seasock and sprayskirt.  Not bad for a boat that is likely to give
you 25 years of service, if you live that long! :-)

best,

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 - All postings copyright the author and not
to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************
Received on Mon Oct 16 2000 - 06:54:16 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:30:32 PDT