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The idea of a folding kayak seems to have been born from considering the way in which Eskimos built their kayaks. They used oiled animal skin stretched tightly over a frame made from wood or bone. The small folding boat reverses this. It is a skin into which is placed a re-assembled frame.

Small folding boats have played their part during wartime because, being collapsible, they require little space for storage – a great help for example on a submarine. It can also be concluded therefore, that they performed to a level which made taking them along worthwhile.

But if you’re thinking that folding kayaks are gimmicky craft for short hauls only, forget it. Dr Hannes Lindemann crossed the Atlantic in a folding kayak. He embarked on his epic journey alone in a Klepper kayak. His story has been well documented. Klepper kayaks led the field in the ‘slip frame into skin’ design. The company built a reputation for producing kayaks which were durable, long-lasting and stable. They have even successfully undertaken whitewater journeys.

The skin of today’s small folding boats would be manufactured from a durable water-resistant fabric. Some manufacturers add air pockets inside the hull to increase their stability and buoyancy.

Materials used for the frame today are either wood, aluminum or plastic and can even be a combination of all three. It should be noted here that aluminum’s lightweight and durable properties make it a popular material for the frame and portability.

Small folding boats are found today in several different forms. Kayaks, canoes and dinghies have all been made to fold. People who prefer them often do so because of the fact that they cannot be punctured, as can happen with an inflatable.

They are easy to launch, especially since, being portable, they do not need a trailer and the subsequent manoeuvrings this entails. Also be aware that items like seat, outboard, fuel tank and transom plate may well be part of the user’s desired package. These also take up space in the vehicle in which the folding boat is being taken.

Seats can be affixed fairly easily to the thwart. Be aware of the floor movement on the water, but this, as with some inflatables, is something to which one soon becomes accustomed. If going out on open water in heavy weather, keep in mind the freeboard height if it’s a small boat or dinghy you are looking to use. The higher the freeboard, the drier the inside of the boat will remain. They perform best in quiet, flat water.

Lastly, small folding boats are usually priced higher than similar rigid or inflatable varieties.

To view some small folding kayaks and canoes go to:

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