Re: [Paddlewise] Brand New Kayak

Congratulations on your new boat.  A couple of suggestions:

1.  Read the assembly instructions carefully over and over again before
tackling your first assembly of the boat.  It will save you time in the long
run.

2.  Assemble just the frame first, i.e. do the full frame outside the hull.
It will let you know how it all works somewhat better than when you are
actually assembling it inside the hull.

3.  If you can, leave the assembled boat together for a length of time of a
few days or even weeks if possible.  This will start giving a bow to some of
the long pieces and stretch the skin fully.  Thereafter assembly will be
easier.


As for paddling, do make certain to wear cold water gear unless you plan to
head southward to warmer climes.  The boat is not particularly tippy now (it
was in its first months of production until they changed the seat on my
suggestion) but you don't want to go in unless you have had some practice
time in re-entry.  Do get large flotation bags to shove into the bow and
stern, BIGGER than those sold by Folbot, which are basically pasties in my
opinion.  Get standard sea kayak flotation bags as sold by Perception and
other companies.  Don't bother with the rudder if you have purchased one.
All Folbots have basically negative rocker (the bow and stern sag) and will
go straight as if on rails under all conditions.  The rudder just adds to
assembly, weight.

good luck,

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."
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary Sano" <marybeth_00_at_yahoo.com>
To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2001 9:50 PM
Subject: [Paddlewise] Brand New Kayak


> I have ordered a Folbot Kodiak Exp as my first kayak.
> Up until now, I have been borrowing a friend's
> nauteraid.  I have started the countdown now to
> production week and hopefully mid week shipment which
> puts me at 9 days away.  I am praying that our rare 60
> and 50 degree weather in Ohio continues.  Any advice
> on my maiden voyage in hopefully 9 days.  I am so
> excited that it may be by moonlight!(SMILE)  this is
> something I have always wanted to do( be a kayaker) so
> the excitement is just mounting with every minute.
>
> Yahoo! GeoCities - quick and easy web site hosting, just $8.95/month.
> http://geocities.yahoo.com/ps/info1
>
>
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