Jeff wrote: >>>>>>>I have recently been given a mystery boat (to me) and I am trying to find out more about it. It is a folding boat that seats three people and covers to make a nice 3 person kayak. In addition it has a rudder, main sail, and a jib! The note that came with it said "Free to good home circa 1950 Granta". On the paddle it says "Built by Granta folding boats Cottenham, England". If anyone has some info on this boat or can lead me in the right direction to do my own research I would greatly appreciate it.<<<<<<< GRANTA BOATS LTD:(all wood frame, canvas deck) 29 Great Whyte, Ramsey, Huntington, Cambs PE17 1EZ, England 0487-813777 (Sold to Ottersports)(in 78 Canoe Magazine's Buyer's Guide address listed is: 23 Great White)(Canadian address:W. Royalty Ind. Park, Charlottetown, P.I.E. C1E 1B0) You didn't give its dimensions but it is likely to be one of these models or a predecessor. The info on the following two kayaks is extracted mostly from the 1978 Canoe Magazine's Buyer's Guide: Kestral (17-0) (wood frame, PVC skin)(double) 32" wide, 108" by 23" cockpit opening Family "K" (20-0) (wood frame, PVC skin)(double or triple) 36" wide, 170" by 24" cockpit opening. Alan Byde says in ASKC#64 Nov 87 (Anglesey Sea Kayak Club Newsletter--I think, not sure of the spelling) that they were originally "Folbot", and that in 1932 Fridel Meyer of Germany paddled a Folbot from Bravaria to London. FOLBOT FOLDING BOATS LTD:(1933) 21 Hatfield St., London EC, England (Spr98C&KHA#25--built Folboat folding "canoes" and Kingfisher rigid "canoes" in the 1930's)(I suspect this company is somehow connected to Folbot Inc. (see below) but don't no how. Maybe one of the Folding kayak gurus named Ralph on this list can straighten me out about the origins or why the names are similar. FOLBOT INC:Phil Cotton (1933)(only folding kayaks--kits are now at Bryant B. W.) 4209 Pace. St., Charlestown, SC 29405 (was?also? P.O.Box 70877, Stark Ind. Park, Charlestown, SC 29415)(12/95SKad-(800)533-5099, 12/95SK-(800)528-9592, 99-01CBG-(843)744-3483, fax:(803)744-7783, 98rec.boats FAQ--(800)744-3483 folbot1_at_aol.com www.folbot.com Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Feb 06 2001 - 19:45:45 PST
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