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Fri Dec 23, 2016 9:30 am

We were able to try sea kayaks on the west coast this past summer. But I'm looking for something more....or less.
Has anyone had an experience with one of these?
http://www.portaboat.ca/

Fri Dec 23, 2016 10:01 am

I have an older aluminum version, heavier than the new ones and we like it. One of those " wish we used it more often" things

Fri Dec 23, 2016 10:15 am

When I used to sail, some friends who had a sailboat had a portaboat. I think the 12' one. It was pretty cool.

Fri Dec 23, 2016 10:36 am

I inherited a 2 person Folboat from my dad when he passed away. It is very nicely made. He paddled it from Alaska to Washington State along the pacific coast without problems. He would fly places with it on commercial airlines. http://folbot.com/

Fri Dec 23, 2016 10:57 am

I bought a used FolBot. It was kinda cool, but took too long to assemble. Basically you assemble it for a day or two, but you wouldn't do that much work for an "evening paddle". I used it about 4 times then decided I wanted something that was much quicker. It was an early '90s version, appx 25 years old. It sold quickly for the same price I paid for it, $750.

I'm pretty interested in that Porta Bote.

Fri Dec 23, 2016 11:04 am

I'm not sure if I understand the what you mean by "more... or less." If you are still interested in kayaks, this fall I bought an Advance Elements Lagoon 2 inflatable kayak.

It's different than the individual hardshell Prodigy kayaks I have and easier to set up and transport. They have many models though:
ADVANCEDFRAME® KAYAK (1 person)
ADVANCEDFRAME® CONVERTIBLE KAYAK (1 or 2 people)

I find them to be of great quality.

Fri Dec 23, 2016 11:05 am

Someone needs to design a boat that doubles as a cargo box.

There, I said it.

Fri Dec 23, 2016 11:16 am

That's a great idea. Problem is the beach would look like a yard sale while I'm on the water. :roll:

That inflatable ADVANCEDFRAME unit looks pretty good too. The side-by-side seating on the Porta Bote is appealing. There's a vast difference in usage between Kayak style and dinghy-style.

Fri Dec 23, 2016 2:09 pm

Just FYI, Folbot has closed it's doors and is out of business as of last November or so. :cry:

Fri Dec 23, 2016 2:27 pm

Sodo wrote: That's a great idea. Problem is the beach would look like a yard sale while I'm on the water. :roll:

That inflatable ADVANCEDFRAME unit looks pretty good too. The side-by-side seating on the Porta Bote is appealing. There's a vast difference in usage between Kayak style and dinghy-style. Fitted awning covering gear under the boat. 8)

Fri Dec 23, 2016 2:31 pm

Steve M. wrote: Just FYI, Folbot has closed it's doors and is out of business as of last November or so. :cry:

That's too bad. But they had a good long run. Newer technology like the Oru Kayak for $1200 probably shut their doors. I think Oru was started on kickstarter.

http://www.orukayak.com/products/oru-beach-kayak

Fri Dec 23, 2016 2:39 pm

I was given one of those Porta bote skiffs when I was a kid in Spokane. We used it to "navigate" a seasonal pond that was created every winter in the horse corral next to us. Then years later, I was given a kayak version which seemed to also be made by Porta bote. Both were fairly easy to setup and operate, but were quite heavy since they were made of marine grade plywood. The flexible joints also would get stiff as they aged. I've long lusted for one of those Klepper kayaks, but they look to be complicated to setup and take down.

Fri Dec 23, 2016 5:33 pm

Over here we often tease some highroofers by saying they have a nice boat as a roof. But in case of the Varius it is.

Fri Dec 23, 2016 7:06 pm

Portabotes are popular over here on the right coast for cruisers in the 25-35 foot range. Our boats are too,small for dinghy or DaviTs so we use inflatables or something like the Portabote

It's a solid piece of kit

Fri Dec 23, 2016 7:20 pm

Steve M. wrote: Just FYI, Folbot has closed it's doors and is out of business as of last November or so. :cry:

Are you sure about that?
Their website is offering free shipping and a 30 day money back guarantee

Fri Dec 23, 2016 10:34 pm

Unfortunately, it seems that Folbot is gone (only the main website exists), if you try to buy any kayak, it tells you that it cannot find store.folbot.com (you cannot buy a kayak, a valve or anything else).

It's sad, I always thought the Cooper was a very nice kayak, was thinking on getting one to carry with me in the van.

Couple of links with more information

From Canoe & Kayak magazine:
http://www.canoekayak.com/news/industry-updates/folbot-shutters-doors/

From FoldingKayaks forum:
http://www.foldingkayaks.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6348

Fri Dec 23, 2016 10:40 pm

Oh crap, and it looks like Feathercraft has also closed! Sad, sad day, I always dreamt of buying a Feathercraft Whisper :(

From the Feathercraft website

http://feathercraft.com

Quote:
Feathercraft Has Closed Permanently

December 2016
Feathercraft has now permanently stopped making folding kayaks and accessories. Due to a number of factors, including poor economic conditions, changing lifestyles, flight baggage restrictions and increasing costs, we have found that making our premium kayaks is no longer financially viable. We will miss the incredible feedback and adventure stories that we have received over the years. I personally will miss these customers, our many suppliers, and also my dedicated colleagues who have helped make our beautiful boats. Thank you all for your tremendous support over these past 40 years.

Everything has a beginning……..and an end.

Sincerely Yours,
Doug Simpson
Founder and Principal Owner

Fri Dec 23, 2016 10:55 pm

I grew up with a Klepper folding kayak, grandfather of folding kayaks. Great, superbly built, but like Sodo mentions with the Folboat takes some time to put together and re-pack so not great for an afternoon paddle.

Still in production http://www.klepper.com/en

I'm curious about the Oru, looks like it might make a good Westy boat.

Sat Dec 24, 2016 8:08 am

The Porta boat is great but still really bulky.

My friend has one and it can actually plane on the water with just a 3.5hp outboard. Incredibly fun and capable machine

I second the Klepper line of folding kayaks. Look at the Aerius 2. It has been in production since the 1950's and is still regarded as one of the greatest expedition boats ever made. It is also the only factory stock kayak ever to cross the Atlantic with the occupant still alive. Military versions in use with special forces around the world including Navy Seals. Used in the first gulf war for advanced infiltration along the Tigris River! Honest ten minutes to set it up from bags when you know what you are doing.

Too bad about Feathercraft another great kayak company. :cry: I have the Feathercraft big Kahuna, a great boat but takes a while to assemble.

Sat Dec 24, 2016 8:57 am

Did you look at the prices for the Portabote? :shock: