> From: "Paul Raymond" > Subject: [Paddlewise] Longhaul Folding Kayaks? > > I just received a postcard in the mail toay from Long Haul products saying > they are announcing the Long Haul Mark II Folding Kayak, the World's newest > and finest folding kayak. I looked at the web site as indicated on the card > > http://www.longhaulfoldingkayaks.com/ > > but see no mention of this kayak. Only "We are currently re-building our web > site in order to serve you better in the future". Does anyone know anything > about this, or have I not been paying attention again? > Mark Ekhart has been working on this project for over a year, but he's only now just announced it. As I understand it, the project was motivated in part out of changes in the way Klepper was distributing parts and boats; with his costs increasing, Mark decided, as he was already producing complete skins for boats, to go the full distance and produce frames as well. The frames are identical in size, but not not in construction, to Klepper frames. The rods and the coamings will interchange between Klepper and Long Haul boats, and the frames and hulls can interchange, but that's it. In place of the stamped aluminum Klepper fitting Mark is using stainless steel fittings. His coaming design is a three piece affair like the old Klepper designs which Mark tells me he feels is superior to the newer hinged design. The wood is all birch ply and ash, like most quality wood framed boats. Mark has just finished a complete production run and is starting another, and will be shipping boats in January. He'll have pictures and data on his web site soon, and I'll have more details on mine when I get them. I don't have prices yet, but based on the price of his replacement hulls I expect the prices for complete boats will be very attractive indeed. -- mike ------------------------- Michael Edelman mje_at_spamcop.net http://www.foldingkayaks.org http://www.findascope.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/ ***************************************************************************
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