Our Christmas Present

Wandering Sagebrush

Wandering Sagebrush

Free Range Human
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RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Nov 17, 2013
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11,112
Location
Northeast Oregon
The new folding kayak arrived mid month, and I finally had time (and a dry day) to assemble the ‘yacht’. It took a bit over an hour, checking each step with the tutorial and learning the techniques and nuances. A bit heavier than I expected, but superbly made.

D3EC84D7-7AF6-4981-B421-0B8B6817007E.jpeg

DCAE8064-5610-4E04-8A72-000F5CB6DC04.jpeg
 
Congratulations. That is a yacht, by the standards with which I will be floating, come spring. That might even be sail worthy...?
 
That’s some serious engineering in that build! Congrats! Their web site is impressive with all the videos. Keep us posted on your experience with the new vessel.
 
rando said:
Beautiful!

Reminds me of a Klepper - is it?
Click to expand...
It is basically a Klepper Aerius II, with upgrades in materials and workmanship. Mark Eckhart, the owner of Long Haul has been repairing Klepper boats for about 20+ years. He took what he learned, and started making them in the US. I believe Klepper is now being made in Poland.

Frank, I will keep it assembled a lot of the time, only packing it up for travel and long term storage.

Crumbs, yes they are often sailed. I have a Balough sail from an older kayak, but haven’t decided if I will sail this boat. Oregon is now making people license a sailboat over 12 feet, and I am hesitant about putting permanent markings on the deck.

Wayne, thanks!
 
Hi Sage

Good for you both.

We have had Kleppers for a very long time and had Long Haul make a new hull for Hopes single about twenty years back..

They are excellent sea boats although ours mostly found use in lakes camping.

As it happens we recently found new homes for our two singles.......still have an older double that needs duct tape on the hull for one more go around in life.

Anyone want to buy an OLD Klepper double ?

David Graves
 
David, I’m going to have to pass on the Klepper. As we say (and mangle words) out here in the West, I’m up to my liniment on kayaks.
 
Sage

The assembly process will go faster .....after ten-fifteen years of break in !

There are some tricks to assembly but practice....and a shady place to work.... make perfect.

We did use a 4 X 20 blue tarp as a ground cloth to build on.....very helpful if building on beach sand.
These long narrow tarps are sold for covering piled firewood

I have two sail rigs if you ever want to try it....very complex.....the older one has Egyption cotton sails !

A wonderful character of the Klepper is that they flex with waves ....great in hard waves and relives the structure from stress of breakers and the like.

In Baja. we would transport the boats down from Oregon, assemble them once and carry on top during the time spent there......too heavy for a Hawk tho.

Enjoy!
 
David, I have an old travel trailer awning that I use for the boats, plus inside tents to keep Fritz the Wonder Dog from putting his nails through the floor. It’s a little wider than the ones you have.

Re: sail rigs I have a BSD, but would have to modify the kayak for a mast step, outriggers and leeboards. I’m just not sure I want to do that. Maybe a kite.

Do you know Dave Kruger in Astoria? He’s another folding boater.

steve
 
Howdy

I used to know Dave when he built his Bartender boat.....I have owned a few of those.

Knew he was a kayaker but never knew he used folding boats.......
 
Wow,
Just when I thought I was over my desire to buy any more kayaks. Have been yakking since 93 and have a nice armada going in the garage, but will definitely be looking at this company.
We purchased a gently used folbot about 3 years ago, just for Baja, and while we like it, would like an upgrade to go with the other boats we have. As much as I love my hardshell, the thought of getting it off of the roof of my camper is off-putting to say the least. Trailer only for the big boats from now on I'm afraid.
Thanks for posting.
 
Wango said:
Wow,
Just when I thought I was over my desire to buy any more kayaks. Have been yakking since 93 and have a nice armada going in the garage, but will definitely be looking at this company.
We purchased a gently used folbot about 3 years ago, just for Baja, and while we like it, would like an upgrade to go with the other boats we have. As much as I love my hardshell, the thought of getting it off of the roof of my camper is off-putting to say the least. Trailer only for the big boats from now on I'm afraid.
Thanks for posting.
Click to expand...
We bought a used Folbot Greenland II several years ago, thinking it would be a great boat to use with our CDory when poking around places like Lake Powell. I found it difficult to assemble and somewhat fragile. I pulled rivets out of the keel lock when I didn’t get one of the stems perfectly aligned in the skin. But... I loved the concept of a folder.

I’d thought about the LHFKs for quite a while, but was hesitant to invest that much in a folder. After visiting their facility (camped in their lot) and seeing the boats in person, all doubt was removed. They’re very high quality boats. Check out their tutorials on assembly and disassembly to get an idea of quality, and ease of assembly.

The Stretch Mk II will replace our Folbot and a big 20’ Necky Tofino 100+ pound hard shell. I’m toying with the idea of adding a Balough sail (I have the sail) to the boat, but want to use it for a while before making that decision. Oregon now makes sailboats over 12’ be licensed, and for some reason, that doesn’t sit well with me.

Long Haul Folding Kayaks
 
Vic, My only familiarity with TRAK is from the Folding Kayak Forum, and no I did not consider them. Conversations with others steered me towards the LH Boats. They (LH) are very similar to Klepper, and that was a boat I was initially interested in.
 
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