Hi folks, I'm Roy Brand (go by Mack) from WA. I've been checking out folding kayaks on the net and wound up joining this site. Guess I've got to explain why I'm most interested in foldables, and why I need the lightest and easiest to assemble...I'm a double amputee (one legged, one handed VN vet) that uses crutches to get around. I love kayaking, but on my own, transporting heavy kayaks would be just too hard (don't want to have to use a trailer, and putting one up on top of my camper is out of the question for me, maybe impossible for anyone). What I've found so far is that Pakboats "Puffin" kayaks are the lightest, cheapest, and (claimed on it's site) the easiest to assemble since 2002. However, there's no detailed explanation of how to assemble them. So, before I call the owner of Pakboats (Alv Elvestad), I'm asking for as much info/opinions about Puffins from those who've experienced them. Thanks in advance. Mack *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Mack, welcome to the group. If you're looking for a really light boat, another option might be FirstLight Kayaks: http://www.firstlightkayaks.com/ I have no experience with them and have never seen one, but I am sure some knowledgeable soul on the list could give some feedback. Their boats are advertised as having a weight of less than 20lbs and yes thee are foldables. Worth checking out. I'd also love to hear some feedback on these from anyone familiar with them. -Patrick On Thu, 11 Sep 2003 11:36:05 -0700, Roy Brand wrote > Hi folks, > I'm Roy Brand (go by Mack) from WA. I've been checking out folding kayaks > on the net and wound up joining this site. [SNIP] *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bagboater/ - that's probably the place to visit. Not sure whether it is quite polite of me - to pass this ball farther and away, but Bagboaters group is about folders. And review on Puffin PAkboat by Ralph Diaz is hanging at the top of the homepage of that group (his latest 2003 book Complete Folding Kayaker is also valuable, if you are in mood to spend money on research first). In your situation you need not just light, but also easily assembling/dissembling folder, and I would suggest paying extreme attention to that. Not all of them are created the same speaking of assembling/dissembling ease. There is also Mike Edelman's website (can't get the address from this brouser now), and his section about *inflatable* kayaks may also be of some interest. They are not olnly light, but also don't need any assembling - electric pump does all the work. Though inflatables differ much from framed folders or hardshells. Alex. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roy Brand" <mackbrand72_at_elltel.net> To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: September 11, 2003 11:36 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] foldables > Hi folks, > I'm Roy Brand (go by Mack) from WA. I've been checking out folding kayaks > on the net and wound up joining this site. Guess I've got to explain why I'm > most interested in foldables, and why I need the lightest and easiest to > assemble...I'm a double amputee (one legged, one handed VN vet) that uses > crutches to get around. I love kayaking, but on my own, transporting heavy > kayaks would be just too hard (don't want to have to use a trailer, and > putting one up on top of my camper is out of the question for me, maybe > impossible for anyone). > What I've found so far is that Pakboats "Puffin" kayaks are the lightest, > cheapest, and (claimed on it's site) the easiest to assemble since 2002. > However, there's no detailed explanation of how to assemble them. So, before > I call the owner of Pakboats (Alv Elvestad), I'm asking for as much > info/opinions about Puffins from those who've experienced them. > Thanks in advance. > Mack *************************************************************************** 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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