Just got their brochure. I wasn't able to view it on their website. They have four models: JAVA (single with drop skeg) 15'4" - 28" beam, 33lbs. $1,650 has optional second seat ($130) and optional rudder ($180) UNO (single - optional drop skeg $130) 12'2", 30" beam, 25 lbs. $1,320 GEMINI- (double w/rudder) 18', 30" beam, 48 lbs. $2,170 JET STREAM (Touring Surf Ski w/rudder) 19'3", 20" beam, 45 lbs $2,600 They come with seats/back rests and travel bags and they say it will take approx. 4 mins. to inflate the Java with a push/pull manual pump. What I want to know is which models will Ralph Diaz be demo-ing and in which issue of The Folding Kayake will we read about it? Has anybody else seen them yet? sandy kramer miami *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Gypsykayak_at_aol.com wrote: > > Just got their brochure. I wasn't able to view it on their website. > I got the brochure yesterday as well. You can view a video on their website, by going to http://www.feathercraft.com/media and clicking directly on the media links. As much as I am excited about seeing innovation (being a folding-kayaker myself), I wouldn't expect "serious" kayakers in the Northwest (and British Columbia) to be buying those boats, except for travel to warmer climates or summer-only. So, what is the business strategy here? Having lived in Japan and having read (in Japanese) about the kayaking community in Japan, I have heard the market for take-apart and folding kayaks is quite large, and possibly is larger than the US/Canadian market for Feathercraft. It is not surprising to see a K-1 in a magazine photo. Whitewater and river kayaking is quite big there, and that's why the Short Touring model was developed. However, I do not expect (except in perhaps Okinawa) much of a response. However, some of you probably have a better idea than I, the market for a portable sit-on-top. Some of us fortunate enough to travel frequently abroad might prefer a much lighter and portable boat (than even the K-light). I guess I don't like the idea of getting wet or being blown around in beam winds, despite the temperature of the water. It might be fun to paddle around some lagoon or sheltered bay, or surf where getting submurged doesn't matter. Is the market going to be to renters, in this case? *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 01-09-27 15:06:53 EDT, elias.ross_at_openwave.com writes: << However, some of you probably have a better idea than I, the market for a portable sit-on-top.>> I've been thinking about that also. It would definitely be fine for a trip to the Dry Tortugas (Fort Jefferson National Park, west of Key West, Florida). The fare is ab. $110 plus $35 to take your kayak. It's a matter if you'd rather save 35 bucks. <<Some of us fortunate enough to travel frequently abroad might prefer a much lighter and portable boat (than even the K-light). >> The Puffin ( www.pakboats.com) fits that bill. Bill Longyard recently returned from a trip to Europe and was delighted with it. He also found that by using a 30" rolling duffel, he was able to fit the Puffin and his personal gear into the one bag. The 10.5' Puffin without the spraydeck weighs 19 lbs. I imagine the deck will add 3-4 lbs. There's also a 14' version. sandy kramer miami *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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