Re: [Paddlewise] Take-apart Kayaks : a serious question

From: <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 15:22:09 EST
> > Could it effect the structural soundness of the kayak?
>
> The weight increase includes the extra material to recover the
> structural integrity lost due to the cuts.  I've wondered about
> the rigidity and shear displacement (i.e. slipage at the joint)
> of the join.  With the keys built into the Kayaksport kayaks,
> the latter shouldn't be much of a problem.  I've never heard
> of anyone complain, but then sectional kayaks are few and far
> between.

Admission from a foldingboat guy:

I built my plywood (Chris Luczicky designed) "Yare" adaptation in three 
sections. 

Two slanted double 1/2-inch plywood bulkheads, each held together with four 
stainless bolts and wingnuts, split the boat into three equal length 
sections. The top edges of the bulkheads slant away from the cockpit, which 
reduces cockpit volume "ergonomically" (my feet slant forward and the aft 
slant fits my lower back to some extent). This configuration also reduces the 
shear loading on the bolts - which means that I have fewer wingnuts to fiddle 
into place and tighten adequately. The sections are not keyed other than by 
way of the matching holes and bolts. The boat has done sterling service for a 
good number of years.

For convenience, maintenance, ease of travelling and feel on the water give 
me a folding boat any day, but if it has to be a hard shell, then only a 
sectioned one will fit through the access ways into my basement - or out of 
it, which was one reason to section the boat in the first place).

Best regards,
Ralph

Ralph C. Hoehn
Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com
www.PouchBoats.com
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Received on Tue Jan 08 2002 - 12:22:26 PST

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