In a message dated 9/12/2002 10:25:09 AM Eastern Standard Time, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes: > RalphD: ... In paraphrase of Rodney Dangerfield, "We [foldboaters] get no > respect!" RalphH: Oh, I don't know about that: Ralph Diaz has done marvelous work over the last decade to reinstate the respect that "folding" boats deserve and traditionally commanded! And while the term "folding" may be somewhat of a misnomer, it seems to have stuck happily enough. Also, as the intended showing of so many different makes and models of folders on the beach at the WCSKS proves, "folding" boats are clearly making a commercially increasingly successful comeback, which might just be taken to indicate a renewed respect for the type! A WaveLength Magazine article of mine, which was published early last year, amongst other things points out the improvement in modern materials, which brings with it amazing and formerly unknown new and exciting possibilities in the engineering of folding boats. Bergans of Norway, in their Ally line of folding canoes, pioneered the development of aluminium frames and Feathercraft pushed this a very long way further. Pakboats (better known in insider circles as builders of extraordinarily rugged folding expedition canoes) prove, in the shape of their lightweight Puffins, just how lightly a well designed boat can be built and still retain amazing functionality. The Kiwis at FirstLight recently introduced to the USA concepts in folding boat design that might almost be termed revolutionary! Folbot brought to the market a business model, which greatly reduces the initial investment of the would-be foldboater ... I could go on. "Foldboats: All the inherent advantages of skin-on-frame craft married to the benefits of indefinite maintainability!" :-) Yeah, I get a little enthusiastic at times. Best regards, Ralph Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.PouchBoats.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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