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Site last updated June 17, 2010

An Introduction to Folding Kayaks

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As a child in the 1960s I often lingered over the Folbot advertisements in Popular Mechanics offering marvelous folding kayaks that could be had at attractive prices- prices that were still unfortunately beyond the means of an 8 year old. Six years later, while on a canoe trip to Isle Royale, I met up with a fellow carrying a pair of tweedy canvas duffle bags out of which he assembled an elegant Klepper folding kayak . I watched him paddle off on a week's wilderness trip, thinking I'd like to do the same one day.

But it wasn't for another twenty eight years that I was able to finally get my own boat.

I'm a great fan of Paul Theroux's travel and fiction writing, and in 1996 I picked up a copy of his The Happy Isles of Oceania in which he tells of his travels around the South Pacific, much of it in his Klepper Aerius I Expedition. Theroux used his Klepper Aerius I Expedition to reach islands not served by regular transport, and to travel to out-of-the-way spots, at his own pace.

Reading the book piqued my interest once more in folding boats, enough so that when I saw Ralph Diaz' Complete Folding Kayaker on a shelf at the local Border's Books, with an introduction by Paul Theroux, I of course bought the book. If you have any interest in folding boats, run out right now and buy this book! (Or click on the picture or title to buy it at Amazon.) It's not only the best source of information for buyers, it's also a history of folding boats and a complete manual for learning to kayak. Pictured is the second edition, published in the Spring of 2003. It reflects all the changes in the folding boat world in the last few years, so even if you have the original you'll want a copy of this one as well. It's bigger and better, and now it's printed on really nice coated stock now, too!

Although I had about 30 years of canoeing experience, I had no experience in kayaks when I bought my first boat- but by studying Ralph's book (and a bit of on-water practice and experimentation), I was able to quickly develop a reasonably efficient set of strokes. I'm still learning, of course, but Ralph got me started in the right direction.

Folding kayaks are amazing boats. They are the descendants of ancient boats made of animal skins stretched over frames made from wood and bones, and combine modern technology with this ancient design. They're incredibly seaworthy, they can travel in small packages with you in a compact car, they can be paddled, sailed, rowed, and even powered, if you like. They can be taken out in weather that would send far larger boats back to port. They're used by the military forces of many nations for their stealth and portability. And they're fun.

Much of the information in the The Complete Folding Kayaker was first published in the Folding Kayaker Newsletter, Ralph's thin but exceptionally valuable bimonthly devoted to the use, acquisition, modification and history of folding kayaks. The Folding Kayak Newsletter is no longer in publication but the collected wisdom of the newsletter can still be found in Ralph's book.

Honor Roll

Contributors whose advice and help have greatly contributed to these pages:

Ralph Diaz	George Privett	Clifford Branham	Adam Grzegorzewski	David Green
Brian Buss	Jose Ignacio Fernandez-Mendez	Mel Grindol	Harry Shin	Ann Scott
Marian Gunkel	Charles Hall	Phillip E. Payne	Mel Lammers	Richard Mitchell
Mitch Rosenberg	Frank Malinowski	Damir Akhoundov	Erik Kunze	Ralph Hoehn
Juergen Hoh	Rob Gibbert	Dave Kruger	John Sloan	Mark Ekhart
Peter Schwierzke	Mark Balogh	Randy Henriksen	Robert Gramaglia	Peter Chopelas
Tsunami Chuck	Christoph Wendel	Phillip E. Payne	Brian Buss	Dale Caldwell
Jennifer Gross**	Ed Lithgow	David Walker	David Scott	Scott Preston
Pim van Buuren	Brian Deatrick	Rob Thompson*	Phil Sokolowsky*	Dirk Bredow
Eric Nyre	Konstintin Abramov	Igor Ravbar	Eve Shor	Peter Rathmann
Elias Ross	John Charlton*	Nan*	Maureen*	J.K.*
Wayne Wegner	Duncan Sayers	Jim Kuhr	Alex Motlyakh	Chris Tejirian
Janet G*	Madeline JB*

* Indicates membership in the Southeast Michigan Folding Kayak Commandos: My crew of kayak testers.

** Jennifer is my over-the-back-fence neighbor who earned her place on this page for this: I was sitting in my back yard testing a new Folbot Kodiak- doesn't everyone do this?- when Jennifer walked into my yard, intending to tell me that my truck had been stickered as an "abandoned vehicle". (Long story). But as soon as she saw me sitting in the boat she started laughing hysterically. She eventually composed herself enough to say "I really like having you as a neighbor..."

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And for home builders- here's a great resource: