Compact Kayak Directory

BERGANS — ALLY
A high performance folding sea kayak made to facilitate paddle trips on open water or in the wilderness, the Ally is fast, stable, and suited for beginners, touring paddlers and expedition use. Its proven skin and frame design is easy to assemble. Packs in a 24"x40" bag. L: 18'4". B: 23". 49 lbs. Made in Norway. $3,495 US. www.bergans.com, 206-329-2088, info@bergans.com.

BORAL DESIGNS — KASKO
The Kasko is suited to lakes and short trips along the coastline, designed for smaller paddlers who will appreciate a tighter fit. With reassuring initial stability, the Kasko is ideal for beginners. Its speed, stability and maneuverability are surprising, and directional stability allows the kayak to track well. Several versions available. L: 13'. B: 23-3/4". 46-52 lbs. (depending on the option), $790-$1179 Cdn. www.borealdesign.com, 418-878-3099, info@borealdesign.com.

CONFLUENCE — TARPON 120
The Tarpon 120 is an indispensable ally to anglers, divers and those who need to ferry gear and supplies. Cavernous dry storage, spacious tank well, 300 lb capacity, maneuverable and stable. Explore creeks, flats, mangroves or a little surf play. Seat back, bungees, day hatches, paddle parksthe Tarpon 120 is rigged and ready. L: 12'. B: 28". 60 lbs. $599 US. www.confluencewatersports.com.

CURRENT DESIGNS — BREEZE
The Breeze is a highly versatile daytripper, the rotomolded sister-ship of Current Designs popular Pachena (shortest in their glass line). The Breeze has a fish-form, shallow-V hull with tremendous stability, and an easy to enter and exit cockpit with padded thigh braces. Comes with a generous-sized stern hatch and bow buoyancy bag. L: 13'-6". B: 25". 56 lbs. $1,295 Cdn with rudder. www.cdkayak.com, 1-877- 655-1822 (1-866-638-2844 in USA).

EASY RIDER — ESKIMO 15
The Eskimo 15 CRX 3G: Compact, stable, for paddlers up to 250 pounds. Available in a 1-piece version or as a 3-piece take-apart for easy storage on deck, in lockers, apartments, cars, buses, trains, airplanes. Popular options include: outrigger & catamaran systems, spinnaker & airfoil sail rigs. Custom glass & kevlar/graphite. L: 15'. B: 24- 1/4". 50 lbs. $4200 US ($2800, 1-piece). Easy Rider Canoe & Kayak Co: www.easyriderkayaks.com, 425-228-3633.

EDDYLINE — MERLIN LT
The Merlin LT is a delightfully lightweight, sporty and easy to handle touring boat for beginners to advanced paddlers. This playful hull tracks well, is barely effected by wind, accelerates easily and turns well when leaned. Available in Carbonlite 2000: high performance plastic ($1699 US) and Modulus: Carbonlite 2000 /kevlar composite. ($1996 US). L: 13'. B: 23". 42 lbs. www.eddyline.com/kayaks.cfm 360- 299-2300 (1-866-445-7506 USA only).

FEATHERCRAFT — JAVA
The inflatable Java is great for week-long getaways or day trips. It stows in a compact space of 36 x 20 x 9". Assembly is quick and easy. The Java is a stable, light and maneuverable single sit-on-top kayak. You can even add a second seat to paddle with a friend. L: 15' 4". B: 28". 33lbs. $2600 Cdn. www.feathercraft.com, 604-681- 8437, info@feathercraft.com.

FOLBOT — GREENLAND
Folbot folding kayaks for touring, sea kayaking and sailing are available in 3 single and 1 double-seater models. Folbot, Inc. was established in 1933 and still offers its prized lifetime warranty. Greenland double, L: 17'. B: 34". 62 lbs. Capacity: 600 lbs. $2000 US (single $1200 US). Canadian Agent "the little folding kayak company, inc.", www.folbot.ca, 1-866-202-5343, info@folbot.ca. Manufacturer - Folbot, Inc., www.folbot.com, 1-800-528-9592, folbot@folbot.com.

FOLDINGCRAFT — 480 EX
Foldingcraft offers touring and recreational models weighing as little as 26-1/2 lbs. They are easy to assemble and paddle—rugged, lightweight, and stable. The 480 EX at 37-1/2 lbs. is a superb choice with excellent hull speed, good tracking, ample storage, and easily folds into a compact backpack for storage and transport. L: 15' 10". B: 24- 1/2". 37-1/2 lbs. Capacity: 320 lbs. $2495 US. Foldingcraft: www.foldingcraft.com, 888-839-3922.

INNOVA — SUNNY
Innovas Sunny kayak features 10-minute setup time, tough Nitrylon rubber fabric, a bagged size for airline carry-on, and the flexibility to set up either as a single or a double. The Sunny can also be paddled at a sustained 4 knots. The removable tracking fin keeps you on course. L: 12' 8". B: 33". 33 lbs. Capacity: 1 or 2 paddlers. $649 US. www.innovakayak.com, 425-776-1171.

KLEPPER — ALU-LITE
Klepper is the original "folding kayak", with assembly in 20 minutes. Among their fleet is the Alu-Lite: L: 13'. B: 28". 39 lbs. $2106 US. www.klepper.com, 1-866-323-3525, amscgyca@telus.net(USA: www.klepperwest.com, 530-626-8647).

LONG HAUL — CLASSIC
Long Haul Folding Kayaks continue the marriage of beautiful, natural materials and the highest quality craftsmanship. Both double and single kayaks feature the warm appeal of hardwoods and Egyptian cotton canvas, with the durability of stainless steel and Hypalon rubber. Classic model — L: 17'. B: 34". 77 lbs. Kayak, rudder, bags and spraycover: $2,835 US (other models available). www.longhaulfoldingkayaks.com, 970-856-3662, sales@longhaulfoldingkayaks.com.

NIMBUS — KLEMTU
The Klemtu is ideally suited for day touring, bird watching, photography, fishing or just idling along enjoying your time on the water. Unlike other short kayaks, it is still a paddler's boat, offering good stability, comfort and speed for its size. Its short length and lightness make it maneuverable and responsive. L: 14' 3". B: 24-1/2". 40 lbs glass: $2690 Cdn. 35 lbs kevlar: $3175. www.nimbuskayaks.com, 604-467-9932.

PAKBOATS — PUFFIN
The Pakboats Puffin is an extremely lightweight and compact recreational folding kayak. Its aluminum frame gives it efficient lines and paddling performance like a hardshell, and the extremely simple structure makes assembly and disassembly a snap. Add the lightweight price tag, and the Puffin is a very compelling package. L: 12'. B: 28". 21 lbs. $1195 US. Folding Boat Center: www.FoldingBoatCenter.com, 802-649-2555, info@FoldingBoatCenter.com.

PYGMY — ARCTIC TERN
Pygmy designer, John Lockwood, designed the Arctic Tern-14 for those who wanted a smaller, more maneuverable kayak that would be fun in rough sea conditions. The boat's hard chines and shorter length make her very responsive to leaned turns, an ideal characteristic for playing in the surf zone. Lower wetted surface and good tracking makes keeping pace with larger boats almost effortless. L: 14'. B: 23". 32 lbs. Kit: $625 US. www.pygmyboats.com, 360-385-6143.

WATERS DANCING — LIGHTNING
Waters Dancing's Lightning is a 12' take-apart stitch and glue wooden kayak that can be taken on planes, inside cars and on other modes of transit. It's even small enough to be stored inside a closet in an apartment and it can easily be used as a tender for a sailboat and then stored below deck. Made of BS 1088 Okoume mahogany plywood. Construction time 85 hrs (regular kayak) to 110 hrs (take-a-part). Front section is 40-1/4" long, centre 56-1/4", rear 47-1/2". $1199 Cdn. www.watersdancing.com, 780-437-4919.