The Folding Kayak Option

October-November 2006

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

by Matthias Platthof

Many of today’s folding kayaks are well suited as stable platforms for fishing or sailing due to their air sponsons (air chambers) which run from bow to stern on either side between the frame and skin. These sponsons provide extra stability and buoyancy to reduce the likelihood of capsize, and are indispensable for re-entry. Folding kayaks are nevertheless very manageable in terms of size and weight, and highly portable (some are even backpackable) as well as easy to store (crucial for apartment dwellers).

Many kayak manufacturers offer accessories for fishing. The company I represent, offers deck or mast boards that can be easily mounted on the coaming of the single or double and, with the help of a Scotty Baitmaster rodholder, allow trolling while paddling. Of course, in an inflatable folding kayak or a kayak with air sponsons, extra care is required when handling knives and hooks to avoid damage.

Folding kayak manufacturers whose boats have sailing capabilities usually offer their own sailing rigs. These have the advantage that the setups are guaranteed to work on their specific boats. There is no shortage of aftermarket sailing rig suppliers, but fittings provided do not always adapt easily to a particular boat, so modifications may be necessary. Many kayak sailing enthusiasts have decided to mix original and aftermarket sailing rigs, depending on their preference for leeboards or outriggers, single mainsail or additional jib or spinnaker setups, etc.

For those of you interested in exploring kayak sailing, a word of caution: although folding kayaks are well suited to sailing, they are not primarily sailboats, and prior experience with sailing dinghies is a definite asset!

Excellent sources of information are available online, with www.foldingkayaks.org being probably the most comprehensive and informative.

© Matthias Platthoff was born and brought up in Germany—where folding kayaks have a long tradition—but he has been living in Canada since 1998 and now makes his home in Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island. This year he began representing Long Haul Folding Kayaks in Western Canada and can be reached at 250-724-1294 or longhaulfoldingkayaks@shaw.ca. For more information, see www.longhaulfoldingkayaks.com. Also see the various folding kayak ads on pages 23-31 of this magazine.