klepper vs feathercraft
big...@enter.net
comments on the two boats.
-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum
Michael Edelman
big...@enter.net wrote:
> I'm interested in a Klepper expedition II or a feathercraft double. Any
> comments on the two boats.
Both are exceptionally well-made boats; sometimes it comes down to personal
preference for wood or aluminum. Note that Feathercraft now has *two*
doubles, one with two fixed cockpits and a newer, slightly smaller open
cockpit boat that can be used as a single or double.
You might try renting a Feathercraft from Folding Boat Adventures (link on
my kayak page, below) to try one out.
I have a Klepper Aerius II double I'm very fond of, as it makes a great
all-around boat for paddling, sailing (strictly downwind, so far) and using
solo and with a partner.
--
Michael Edelman http://www.mich.com/~mje
Telescope guide: http://www.mich.com/~mje/scope.html
Folding Kayaks: http://www.mich.com/~mje/kayak.html
Airguns: http://www.mich.com/~mje/airguns.html
Douglas Murray
>
>I'm interested in a Klepper expedition II or a feathercraft double.
Any
>comments on the two boats.
>
==-----
>http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member
Forum
OUCH! This sparks of a potential religious war among the zealots, but
for what its worth...
I have had an Aerius II for fifteen years and like the boat very much.
It has held up well, but could use new keel strips at this point. The
quality is excellent.
I like durability and stability of the klepper. I've only managed to
dump it once in fifteen years (my fault, at that). I have sailed it
with both klepper's s-4 rig and a Balough Sail Design rig and really
enjoy day sailing as an alternative boating experience.
Have done a number of 10-day paddle trips with the klepper (Alaska and
Florida, twice each, British Columbia, the Maine Island Trail) and
frequent weekend trips. I wish the Klepper had more space for these.
Carrying fresh water for two people for ten days (needed in the
Everglades) mounts up. Loading and unloading the bow and stern are a
pain in the neck. The hatches on the Feathercraft would be a much
better deal for long trips than loading through the cockpit. I finally
bought Feathercraft hatches (about $100 apiece) and added them to the
Klepper.
I have never found the factory seat in the Klepper comfortable (some
people love it), and am continually tinkering with alternative seating.
Feathercraft seats are reputed to be very comfortable.
The Klepper assembles easily in 20 minutes (add another 15 minutes for
sail rig). I think the Feathercraft takes longer to assemble. Not a
big deal unless you intend to break the boat down frequently.
I like and recommend the Klepper. I have not had experience with
Feathercraft but understand it is a fine boat as well. Hope you enjoy
whichever foldable you choose.
Enjoy!
Doug M
big...@enter.net
admired kleppers since 1961 when I first saw one. As a 13 year old kid, it was
out of the question. If my homebuilt folbot can last almost 40 years, the
klepper will be around a lot longer than I will.
Facinated about you addition the feathercraft hatches to the klepper. I've
never heard of this being done, but it seems logical. Can you tell us how you
did it?
Your paddling history is my fantasy. good for you.
John
Douglas Murray
>
I wish the Klepper had more space for these.
>> Carrying fresh water for two people for ten days (needed in the
>> Everglades) mounts up. Loading and unloading the bow and stern are
a
>> pain in the neck. The hatches on the Feathercraft would be a much
>> better deal for long trips than loading through the cockpit. I
finally
>> bought Feathercraft hatches (about $100 apiece) and added them to
the
>> Klepper.
>>
>>
In <6rt79k$ght$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com> big...@enter.net writes:
>
>Hey thanks for the reply. I've paddled a folbot super for 37 years and
have
>admired kleppers since 1961 when I first saw one. As a 13 year old
kid, it was
>out of the question. If my homebuilt folbot can last almost 40 years,
the
>klepper will be around a lot longer than I will.
>
>Facinated about you addition the feathercraft hatches to the klepper.
I've
>never heard of this being done, but it seems logical. Can you tell us
how you
>did it?
Sure. Feathercraft sells 3 different size hatches, each approximately
$100. I bought 2 small sized hatches (about 6X9 inches), just large
enough for me to fit my arm into so that I could arrange gear under the
decks. Feathercraft folks were very helpful and the kit includes a
template so that you can mark a hole to cut (GULP!) in the deck.
Cutting a hole in the deck took some thought and was done with a lot of
misgivings, but I'm happy with the results. I positioned the hatches
just aft of rib no. 1 and just before rib no. 7. They were set to the
port on the bow and the starboard on the stern to avoid the top deck
stringers and to allow me to easily reach in with my right arm to
arrange cargo (you should reverse this if left handed). This worked
well for access.
When I cut the deck, I was impressed at how tough the Klepper deck
canvas is...it didn't cut easily. I cut the initial hole about 1/4"
smaller than Feathercraft's template and, if I did it again, would go
1/2" smaller, as I think this would make sewing easier. I then folded
back the klepper canvas to the outside (top) of the hull to form a 1/4"
hem which I sewed with heavy nylon thread (from Seattle Fabrics) using
a sailmaker's curved needle (West Marine). Using the same thread, I
sewed double seams to attach the hatches to the deck.
The hatches close like a dry bag and leakage does not seem to be a
problem. I've used the boat several times since installation, and had
no difficulties. I've done only one camping trip this summer (the
Saranacs in NY) and was very happy with how much easier the hatches
made loading and unloading. I was able to pack small gear much more
efficiently into the extreme bow and stern areas and the hatches were
also helpful arranging gear in the spaces between rib 1 and 2 and
between ribs 6 and 7.
If I bet itchy for a project this winter, I may consider adding the
medium or large hatches to my Klepper single, where access is even
worse!
Good luck if you go ahead with a Klepper.
Doug M
Douglas Murray
>
>Hey thanks for the reply. I've paddled a folbot super for 37 years and
have
>admired kleppers since 1961 when I first saw one. As a 13 year old
kid, it was
>out of the question. If my homebuilt folbot can last almost 40 years,
the
>klepper will be around a lot longer than I will.
>
>
I also have a folbot super inheritted from my mom and dad. They used
the boat for many years on the rocky streams and lakes of the
Adirondacks and it has held up well. I now use it as a "guest boat"
when we have visitors.
In addition to Klepper and Feathercraft, have you considerred Nautraid?
Again, I have no personal experience, but they are reputed to be
excellent boats and the price is very attractive when compared to other
imported foldables.
The now classic advice on these matters is to check out Ralph Diaz's
Complete Folding Kayaker (should be available through your library or
bookstore) for an overview of foldables. The book notes Ralph's
experience with the boats and his strong opinions. Certainly worth
reading before you plunk down a few thousand $s.
Doug M
Michael Edelman
Douglas Murray wrote:
> The now classic advice on these matters is to check out Ralph Diaz's
> Complete Folding Kayaker (should be available through your library or
> bookstore) for an overview of foldables. The book notes Ralph's
> experience with the boats and his strong opinions. Certainly worth
> reading before you plunk down a few thousand $s.
And subscribe to Ralph's excellent newsletter, which has up-to-date
industry info and a lot of invaluable information. Details on my folding
kayak web page, below.
--
Michael Edelman http://www.mich.com/~mje
Folding Kayaks: http://www.mich.com/~mje/kayak.html
Spambait
rhu...@fcc.gov jqu...@fcc.gov sn...@fcc.gov rch...@fcc.gov
cust...@email.usps.gov consum...@ftc.gov
admin@loopback $LOGIN@localhost $LOGNAME@localhost $USER@localhost
$USER@$HOST -h1024@localhost ro...@mailloop.com
rm...@ibm.net
One thing to watch out for with the hatches (I have a Feathercraft K1) is
that if you ask someone to raft up and pull something out of the hatch, they
invariable don't get it closed up right. It closes "like" a dry bag, but it
is more like a wide seam on "cloth" and it is a bit tricky to keep the seams
mated while you roll it up.
Another intangible about foldables: I ALWAYS get complemented on how nice
my boat looks. I also usually get questions about how it "folds". Or,
"how do get the skin to go over the boat?". :-) It is more fun than just
being another one of the masses. I presume it is the same for Klepper and
Nauteraid owners.
Milo
Michael Edelman
rm...@ibm.net wrote:
> ...Another intangible about foldables: I ALWAYS get complemented on how nice
> my boat looks. I also usually get questions about how it "folds". Or,
> "how do get the skin to go over the boat?". :-) It is more fun than just
> being another one of the masses. I presume it is the same for Klepper and
> Nauteraid owners.
Oh yeah. Assembling a boat with anyone else around always turns into a teach-in
on folders. I should carry a case of Ralph's books with me for sale ;-)
I was folding up an Aleut after a casual paddle on the Huron last Saturday when
a cop came by to investigate reports of someone living on an island there. While
we were talking she noticed my half-disassembled boat and blurted out "hey,
that's neat!" and then went back to business.
The next day I had the Klepper out on Lake St. Claire in 2' seas and 25mph
winds. The boat was happy with the weather, but the big boats that kept coming
in close for a look were a problem...!
--
Michael Edelman http://www.mich.com/~mje
Telescope guide: http://www.mich.com/~mje/scope.html
rd...@ix.netcom.com
>
> rm...@ibm.net wrote:
>
> > ...Another intangible about foldables: I ALWAYS get complemented on how nice
> > my boat looks. I also usually get questions about how it "folds". Or,
> > "how do get the skin to go over the boat?". :-) It is more fun than just
> > being another one of the masses. I presume it is the same for Klepper and
> > Nauteraid owners.
>
> Oh yeah. Assembling a boat with anyone else around always turns into a teach-in
> on folders. I should carry a case of Ralph's books with me for sale ;-)
>
> I was folding up an Aleut after a casual paddle on the Huron last Saturday when
> a cop came by to investigate reports of someone living on an island there. While
> we were talking she noticed my half-disassembled boat and blurted out "hey,
> that's neat!" and then went back to business.
>
> The next day I had the Klepper out on Lake St. Claire in 2' seas and 25mph
> winds. The boat was happy with the weather, but the big boats that kept coming
> in close for a look were a problem...!
It's amazing how many people suddenly are looking over your shoulder who
you didn't know were there when you started assembling a folding kayak!
It almost never fails to happen.
I can't remember what all else when on regarding this string of articles
on klepper vs. feathercraft, but one thing that always strikes me about
folding kayaks is how vastly different the boats really are and the
philosophy of each of the makes. It is almost unwise to lump them all
together as "folding kayaks" since they are so distinct from one
another. The differences among folding kayaks brands is a different as
that in the hardshell world between Greenland type boats and Northwest
boats only there are really four divisions pretty much delineated by the
four major brands, Feathercraft, Folbot, Klepper and Nautiraid. The
more I look at these boats, the more I see and I have been at this for
about 10 years very studiously approaching them!!
ralph
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rd...@ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Bielecki
>you didn't know were there when you started assembling a folding kayak!
>It almost never fails to happen.
You're telling me! It's even come to the point where I've deliberately
taken to finding some secluded spot to assemble my Aerius II just so I'm not
hounded with questions. Some, though, are pretty interesting. One old
gent...must have been mid 70's for sure...spotting me with my boat,
proceeded to tell me a tale of his experience with folding kayaks back in
World War 2. That's one I wished I would have taped. It really was quite
interesting.