[Paddlewise] Kahuna VS Klepper AE1 assembling and folded weight/size

I'm new there, and tried to research this subject before posting.  My question
is: What is real time and pain of assembling of F-craft Kahuna (if possible,
with hatches and rudder)? Some info and background:





Official specs quote 20 minutes (no indications whether it's basic or
expedition model). Weight of basic Kahuna is 35 lbs. Expedition model (39
lbs?) adds rudder, 2 hatches and inflatable backrest. Some users report 30
minutes time (basic?), and one report was 1 hour+, including "adjusting"
(looks like his first time).





The kayak I'm using now is Russian Ladoga-1, bought because of: 1) Advertised
18 kg (39 lbs); in reality weight is 26 kg (57 lbs). 2) Compact single
rucksack 110*40*40 cm (43*16*16 "); this is true. 3) $400 price at source in
Moscow (add same amount for DHL shipping to Canada or USA, and consider that
shop neither sells online, nor ship).  Parts are cheap and available from
dealer in Boston (kayaks too - but of course not for $400).  There is enough
on-line info about this kayak, both in English and Russian, and I may provide
links.  I will sell it this 2003 spring for reasons that may look like nothing
to somebody else, but are important to me - like rudder system (I'm sailing
often), weight, 60+ minutes assembling time and efforts etc.





I have found out that my expedition luggage without food but including 57 lbs
kayak and all gear (35 lbs sail rig, paddle, etc) weighs 170 lbs and needs 2
bags, approximately like largest hockey bags (one of which is the kayak 43"
bag).  I had some problems with getting on long-distance bus (too long bags),
altghough nobody protested against 190 lbs weight including some food
(additional $ for bus, but nothing for airline - surprise, considering 140 lbs
limit).  Airline also didn't worry about excessive size (official limit is 158
cm or 62" total of length+width+height of each bag).





All other 15+ ft kayaks (but Kahuna) are either heavier, or too bulky when
folded.  There is also 12 ft F-craft K-light and Folbot Aleut, but I think 12
ft kayak isn't roomy enough for all my gear. I have also considdered 15 ft
Klepper AE1.  It quotes 15 minutes assembling time, users report about 20
minutes, but real weight is 78 lbs (official data is 60 lbs, which must be a
*portage weight* of stripped-down kayak, without rudder, seat and bags), and
it packs into 3 bags - that's too much.  Not all airports and bus terminals
have luggage carts, and it's impossible to load 78 lbs of 3 bags of Klepper
AE1 together with 43" gear bag on any kayak or canoe folding cart.  I know
Klepper has some proprietary cart - haven't seen it; probably not light
neither compact comparing to Primex cart, for ex.  





Any comments are appreciated.



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