{"id":42660,"date":"2024-09-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-02T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=42660"},"modified":"2024-08-26T16:12:52","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T23:12:52","slug":"portable-boats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/portable-boats\/","title":{"rendered":"Portable Boats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Once a week we\u2019ll send out a page from Cool Tools: A Catalog of Possibilities. The tools might be outdated or obsolete, and the links to them may or may not work. We present these vintage recommendations as is because\u00a0the possibilities they inspire are new.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>\u00a0to get Tools for Possibilities a week early in your inbox.<\/em><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Boats that fit in a closet or trunk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Folding Kayaks<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayaks are cool tools all by themselves\u2026 small, simple boats that give you access to virtually any waterway, big or small. Simple enough for a novice to enjoy, but with skill and experience, kayaks can also used for thousand-mile expeditions far from support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folding kayaks are a special breed among kayaks in general. They typically consist of a wood or aluminum frame inserted into a fabric skin, and assembled boats are reminiscent of the bone-and-hide baidarkas used by Inuit hunters. The obvious advantage to a folding kayak over the far more common plastic or fiberglass boats available is storage. When not in use, a folding kayak can be stored in an apartment or car trunk. But the boats are also serious performers\u2013they are truly in their element when the seas get rough\u2013and they tend to last much longer than rigid boats. Cracks in plastic and fiberglass can retire a rigid boat in 6 to 10 years. Folding kayaks can last for decades, not only due to the materials, but also due to the fact the individual pieces can be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klepper of Germany has been in the business the longest, since 1909, and their boats have been around the world, including across the Atlantic, twice. They are also used by Special Forces. They are also expensive, but not quite as expensive as Feathercraft of Canada, a relative newcomer. Feathercraft makes boats using a high-tech approach in materials and design. Their boats pack down smaller, but they also cost more. Folbot is an American-made folding kayak that enjoys good reputation, in part due to their absolute commitment to standing behind their products, pretty much for life. Their boats are highly regarded, and they are significantly cheaper than the competition. They are Ford to Klepper\u2019s BMW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just took delivery of a newcomer in the folding kayak world, a Longhaul Mark II made by Mark Eckhardt of Colorado. Eckhardt started his business repairing Kleppers and making accessories. He was an official Klepper dealer and service center for time, but has now struck out on his own making his own boats, that are in many respects are identical to Kleppers\u2013a Longhaul frame will actually fit a Klepper skin and vice versa. But Eckhardt has addressed a number of what he sees as design flaws of the Klepper in his new boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folbot Cooper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For an inexpensive folding kayak suitable for a novice, I recommend a new boat just announced by Folbot called the Cooper. Small and light, the Cooper fits into one bag, and has nice profile. And it comes in at a price that is 2\/3 the price (or better) of other reputable folding singles, at $1400. As I mentioned, Folbot has been around for decades. A brand new model from them is a boat that has a lot experience behind its design and manufacture. Additionally, Folbot has an unbeatable guarantee\u2026 they guarantee that it will be free of manufacturing defects for life, and they\u2019ll give you 100% of your money back within 60 days if you don\u2019t like the boat and return in \u201clike new\u201d condition. That\u2019s a tough deal to beat. \u2014 Alex Gray<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fine enthusiasts website for tracking the latest in folding kayaks is foldingkayaks.org. For reading I recommend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Complete Folding Kayaker Ralph Diaz, 2003, 256 p.<\/p>\n\n\n\n