Folding Kayaks Forum

I may be looking at a Feather craft kayak about 8 years old that hasn't been taken apart in several years. The owner suspects the joints are frozen and may take a lot of work to take apart. Feathercraft has some instructions for doing this. But what I want to know is whether it's possible that the joints might never come apart, in which case I won't risk it.

If the owner suspects the joints are frozen then most likely they are. And there is a very real chance that nothing will work to free them up. So it would come down to how much the owner is asking and how willing the buyer is in taking on a project that could lead to drastic measures...cutting the frame and replacing parts.

Yes. But Feathercraft isn't making the K Light any more, and I wonder if one can even get parts.

They probably do. But call Feathercraft and ask them.

_________________
Chris T.
~'91 Klepper A2 w/ BSD schooner rig.
'64 Klepper Passat/Tradewind and T12 restoration projects.
Non-folding: Early '90s Old Town Canoe.
Previously owned '04 Pakboat Puffin II and '05 Swift (prototype), as well as an '84 Hobie 16.

Feathercraft will have parts for the K Light but they will be expensive. You should know what it will cost before committing yourself to the purchase.

Unless of course you can get it really cheap and don't actually need it to fold. After all, it's still a nice light skin on frame kayak

_________________
Simon

Feathercraft Wisper, First light 420, Fujita Alpina AL-1 400, Incept k40 (4sale),Nautiraid Narak 460, 416 & K1 (sold my 550), Pakboats Quest 135, TRAK 2.0
Wanted:original Advanced Elements Air Fusion
Cape Falcon F1. Beth, Hobie AI

But, of course, Simon is spot on. The K Light would make a first-rate SOF kayak.

Yep, not withstanding Simon's advice if you don't really need a folder and can live with a really nice SOF kayak then this might work. Otherwise I would run, not walk, away from a Feathercraft with seized tubing. Do a search on the forum and you will find mostly nightmares trying to get the fused joints unstuck.

BTW, this is a longshot, but the Klepper A1 is a great boat, but long distance Craigslist deal is very risky:

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rch/boa/5541541709.html

Best,
g

_________________
"There is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats"

1988 A1 Expedition
2010 carbon Klepper Quattro
BSD sail rig, 24' mizzen + 36' main
39' jib
Torqeedo outboard
1938 Sachs-Fichtel seitenbordmotor

Thanks for the suggestions--and the warnings. I too have read some of the accounts of undoing seized joints and it does seem unlikely here, especially since the boat has been used on saltwater. Moreover, I don't think Feathercraft makes parts for the K light anymore. Unfortunately I need a folder--there's no place here to store a regular kayak. I especially liked the K Light because it was light and small. A Klepper is much bigger and heavier. But I probably will keep my eyes peeled for what I can get. I'm trying not to spend too much.

If you're reasonably handy you can make replacement tubes using only a drill and a pop rivet gun, assuming you can buying the right tubing. Still a good idea to contact Fcraft as they may be able to make the tubes you need.

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Michael Edelman
FoldingKayaks.org Webmaster

A tube cutter is also handy as it makes for very clean cuts. They can be picked up quite cheaply second hand.
(In the US you're so lucky to have tubing guages that telescope perfectly, unlike the UK or EU)

_________________
Simon

Feathercraft Wisper, First light 420, Fujita Alpina AL-1 400, Incept k40 (4sale),Nautiraid Narak 460, 416 & K1 (sold my 550), Pakboats Quest 135, TRAK 2.0
Wanted:original Advanced Elements Air Fusion
Cape Falcon F1. Beth, Hobie AI

No relationship with seller, but here is an option:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Feathercraft-K- ... 1833521874

g

_________________
"There is nothing--absolutely nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats"

1988 A1 Expedition
2010 carbon Klepper Quattro
BSD sail rig, 24' mizzen + 36' main
39' jib
Torqeedo outboard
1938 Sachs-Fichtel seitenbordmotor

Thanks. I saw that, too. Does anyone have an idea of what a used K Light Plus typically sells for?