[Paddlewise] Folding kayak assembly, and disassembly

From: Tord S. Eriksson <tord_at_mindless.com>
Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 07:17:33 -0500
It is my experience, that the time it takes to assembly a folder
varies a lot, from the first assembly ever, via the first assembly 
of the season, to an assembly late in the season.

The first assembly of the year will sometimes have to be aborted, as some item 
has been forgotten, or misplaced, or your back get so sore by the constant 
bending forward that you just have to take a break!

The first complete assembly of the XXL was thankfully done at home, and
therefore we noticed that the rudder bracket was missing in time 
(not Klepper's fault)!


The first assembly ever includes a lot of learning, and is best done in stages:
assemble the frame at home, and then let it be for a week, as, if it is a wooden frame, 
the pieces adjust towards the final form - the longerons bend slightly, et cetera, 
and that bend will eventually be more or less permanent, making the first complete
assembly much easier (as the skin fits the frame better), than to go the 
full hog in one go! The first expedition packing takes ages, as the kayak eventually
will have items in every concievable nook and cranny, and then some more!


I guess it is the same for kayaks with plastic, or aluminium, frames?! That it is wise to 
assemble the frame at least once before the first complete assembly?!

Disassembly takes far less time, but if you add the time it takes to clean and dry
the interior fully, it takes far longer!

I guess it is the same for hardshells?! 

Tord

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Received on Fri May 09 2008 - 05:21:24 PDT

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