When origami meets kayak
Portability is the name of the game these days. Smaller, lighter, easier to pack and store. Just about everything you can think of is pushing to be smaller, lighter, and more portable; houses, computers, phones, exercise equipment, everything shrinks and becomes more compact. Here’s one you may not have thought of; kayaks Kayaks bring back images of peaceful glides across calm lakes in the morning as the sun rises, or rapid descents through raging rivers so fierce you end up in lost land. Kayaking is a getaway, leave your day-to-day things behind, and go out to what really matters. But first you have to get out into nature with your boat. This is a bit tricky if you don’t have a large vehicle or don’t have any vehicles at all. So what needs to be done?
Get into the folding kayak. This is exactly what it sounds like. It is a kayak that you can fold and carry with you on your back. It folds up for easy portability, is lightweight and portable. There are a few models to choose from, as well as some DIY projects.
One of the first models I was introduced to is called the Oru kayak. This thing is really cool. It is made of polypropylene with UV treatment. This ship is very tough and can take a beating. It can do anything you can do on “non-folding” kayaks, like capsizes, rock impacts, etc. The company even made a video of them trying to destroy the boat with a hammer and falling from high places to no avail. It’s lightweight too, weighing in at around 30 pounds. It folds down to 33″ x 12-13″ x 29″, about the size of an artist’s purse, and can be carried like a backpack. The company offers 3 models, slightly different variations on a theme. One of the things that I really like is the low number of pieces.
A similar kayak is the Hypar (not on the market yet). Like the Oru, it is a collapsible polypropylene container and is very lightweight, weighing in at 18 lbs. It also has a very interesting shape. The Oru was designed similarly to traditional arctic kayaks; the Hypar is more arrowhead shaped, but cuts through water with great efficiency. The Hypar is also versatile in its ability to convert to a sailboat or powerboat.
Another amazing folding kayak is produced by a company called Long Haul. The Long Haul folding kayaks are again, a bit different than the Oru kayak. Instead of folding like a sheet of paper, these are folding wooden frames surrounded by a skin. This is a high performance and quality kayak. Very durable and very good in the water. These boats are heavier than the Oru and take a bit longer to put together, but these boats are made more like fine furniture.
In the same vein as ‘Long Haul kayaks’ is the Napali Clear Folding Kayak. This kayak also uses several pieces surrounded by a skin, however, the Napali uses lighter materials so its weight is similar to the Oru. What’s great about this kayak is the military-grade urethane clear skin that is tough and transparent, allowing you to see under the boat as you go.
For a totally different concept, there is the Pakayak (clever name). This kayak is a hard shell kayak that breaks into pieces and packs up into itself similar to a Russian doll. You can also carry it on your back, although it is a bit heavier than some of the other kayaks mentioned at 55 pounds. This kayak is super durable, each piece is made from a hard resin and is designed to snap together for added strength. Like the Oru, this kayak is also shaped like the traditional arctic kayak.
The boats above are great if you have kayaking experience and know you’re ready to spend some money on a quality boat. However, if you are new to kayaking and not sure if this is for you, there is an inexpensive DIY option you can try. Paul Elkins sells plans to make a kayak out of corrugated plastic sheets. The entire ship costs around $100, not including the plans which cost around $10. It is easy to put together and is relatively durable and waterproof. It doesn’t hold much weight compared to the other boats, but what do you expect for $100? This is a good craft to try and will last you a while, until you’re ready for an upgrade. This is also one of the lightest kayaks weighing in at around 7lbs.
Portability is often an issue with kayaks. Above you have seen several solutions to the portability problem. From professional to DIY, you can find one that suits your needs and wants and can go with you anywhere.