Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25238
FEATHERCRAFT Kl INTERNATIONAL KAYAK International travel involving airplanes, buses and cars makes taking your heavy, rigid kayak along awkward, if not impossible. But there are options. Inflatable and folding touring kayaks solve travel problems because they fit conve- niently into a backpack and weigh less than most people's laundry basket. Folding kayaks have collapsible wood or aluminum frames that are encased by a one-piece outer skin. Hulls are generally fabricated from a durable synthetic rubber. Because of their superior flex and impact absorption, folding boats are often more puncture resistant than their hardshell counterparts. Inflatables are a less expensive and more versatile alternative. These pump-up boats are perhaps not as maneuverable or as fast as hardshell and folding boats, but are much more forgiving. They also tend to stuff down into smaller, lighter packages than folding boats. However, what they make up for in convenience (they inflate in minutes), they lack in storage. If you're planning on long, multiday tours, and money is no expense, you'll get better touring performance out of a folding boat. But if your plans include every- thing from riding the waves at Australia's Surfer's Paradise to floating the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia, a versatile inflatable kayak might be the best choice. FOLDING KAYAKS This classic folding kayak excels in meandering rivers, lakes, oceans and bays. Feathercrafts have been paddled around South America's Cape Horn and have even crossed the Atlantic. Take it to New Zealand, Indonesia or the Caribbean. The K1 has been aptly called the Rolls-Royce offolding boats. It fits into a single backpack and weighs a respectable 51 pounds. For $115, add a factory installed mast adaption that enables you to fly a spinnaker for downwind sailin g. The K1 is a morph of the 2000-year-old sleek Eskimo hull design and 21st-century technology. Where the Eskimos used wood and skin, the K1 incorporates lightweight, superstrong aluminum and proprietary "Sealskin," a modern synthetic material, with welded and heat-sealed seams. The boat performs well for day paddling, but its real calling is extended expeditions, f rom a couple of nights to several weeks. A unique feature is a seasock that fits t ight ly around the cockpit coaming. The seasock protects the paddler from the elements and prevents the kayak from filling with water during a roll-over. The K1, Due to built-in air sponsons the K1 is more stable than traditional rigid kayaks, and in general, easier to learn to paddle. Feathercraft, www.feathercraft.com. $4,125 INNOVA SAFARI If you're the type of traveler who prefers a backpack to a steamer t runk, the Safari is the boat for INFLATABLES . This newly redesigned boat is a favorite of paddlers from Yellowknife to the South Pacific. It's as comfortable surfing waves in Mexico as it is touring Hawaii's Na Pali Coast. It also performs respectably in moderate whitewater. It packs into a 20 x 15 x 19 inch dry bag, weighs just 24 pounds and is designed as a flight carry-on. It has a much wider range of use than most inflatables, although it does require more paddling skills. While the Safari is slower than traditional, noninflatab le touring kayaks, it can be easily paddled at 3.7 knots. The self-bailing boat (there are holes lining each side of the floor chamber) can perform Eskimo rolls and handle Class III whitewater. The 1200 denier polyester, similar to that used for commercial whitewater rafts, is Atlas strong and durable. The skeg makes the Safari track well and the boat's low profile is nearly impervious to wind. There are no sealed bulkheads for storage, but grommets behind the seat allow you to lash down the dry bag. Set up time is less than 10 minutes- but make sure you invest in the $29 foot pump. Weight capacity is 220 pounds. Innova Kayaks, www.innovakayak.com. $549 65